The Learning Experience Concert Raises Funds for School for Deaf

of Manalapan, a child development and learning center, announced today the outstanding success of their 3rd Annual Holiday Chorale and Art Sale and Auction. The event took place to a fully packed house on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 at the .

The school’s annual chorale is more than a showcase of young students singing their hearts out with songs of the winter season. Each year the event raises funds for a charitable organization as part of the school’s overall philosophy of learning about humanity. This year the young students, ranging in ages from infant to 6 years, took their program to a new level. With a signing interpreter on stage with them, the children sang and signed the holiday songs to entertain deaf children from the New Jersey School for the Deaf.

“I could not be more proud of our wonderful students and very dedicated teaching staff,” said Karen Rosen, co-owner of The Learning Experience of Manalapan in a press release issued by the business. “It was an aggressive undertaking to teach our young students not only the lyrics to the different songs, but also the accompanying sign language. But our staff was very focused on the mission and our students were terrific learners. We practiced for months. And it is very special to see how it all came together.”

In their attempt to bridge the gap between hearing and non-hearing children, the school enlisted their alumni to pass out props, such a red blinking noses during “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” to the deaf students. Between the sign language, props, refreshments and a special appearance by The Learning Experence's Bubbles the Elephant, the students from the New Jersey School of the Deaf were able to enjoy the performance.

The program concluded with a finale with all students on stage singing and signing “We Are the World.”

“The flashing lights from all the cameras were like paparazzi!” The Learning Experience of Manalapan Marketing and Event Manager Ainell Pena said in the release. “It was a poignant moment.”

The students also raised money at a meet and greet reception prior to the chorale commencing by selling their hand made artwork projects. Tables adorned with more than 300 pieces of child made arts and crafts were sold for $0.50 to $2. The students of The Learning Experience of Manalapan worked for weeks on their special projects and eager parents purchased the artwork knowing the funds were going to a good cause. At the end of the evening, the director of the New Jersey School for the Deaf – Katzenbah Campus, who was an honored guest, was presented with a check donation by school’s co-owners Dawn Lego and Karen Rosen.

“I could not be more thankful to the parents, teaching staff and exceptional students at our school,” said Dawn Lego, co-owner of The Learning Experience of Manalapan. “It is only with everyone’s support that we could attain such grand success at our holiday chorale. We go beyond teaching ABCs and 123s at our center. Karen and I aspire to have the finest teaching experience and care for infants, preschoolers and kindergarteners in Monmouth County. Amongst many other fine programs, humanity has always been part of our curriculum. I am confident that together we have delivered a program to be remembered for many years to come.”

For more information about The Learning Expereince, visit thelearningexperience.com or call 732-462-0015.