The Power of Play and How Creative Activities Like Music and Face Painting Help Kids Thrive

Lessons in music, art, and creativity 🎼

Bio Intro

We are excited to publish an article by musician and educator, Nicole Kovar, Founder and Executive Director of Piano & More (a music lesson studio established in Arlington in 2016). Nicole is a passionate advocate for the intersection of music education and brain health. For over 15 years, Nicole has helped students of all ages to transform their lives through music, showing how playing an instrument can boost cognitive health, confidence, and emotional resilience. For fun, Nicole loves story-telling, riding horses, and experiencing beautiful parts of the world.

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There’s something magical that happens within a child when they sit down to have their face painted. Within several brushstrokes, they’re no longer just a kid –they’re a tiger, a butterfly, a superhero. They have leveled up! Face painting adds that sparkle to a Saturday and taps into the powerful world of imaginative play. And when kids play, they grow.

That’s why we’re so excited about an upcoming collaboration with Crystalite Designs for our next Open Mic. Before our music students take the stage and perform, they’ll have the chance to be transformed into whatever bold, colorful version of themselves they choose. It’s a way to make what can be hard for many, something fun while increasing confidence at the same time. A swirl of paint can turn pre-show jitters into joyful anticipation. That creative boost helps children feel proud, expressive, and ready to shine.

And that’s exactly what we aim for in every lesson we teach.

Music and imaginative play go hand in hand. Both help children develop emotional awareness, improve focus, and strengthen out-of-box thinking. When a child learns to play a song on the piano or sing a favorite tune, they’re building patience, resilience, and self-expression. Playing guitar becomes a conversation. Singing becomes a way to process emotions. Drumming turns into a moment of release.

At Piano & More, we believe in nurturing the whole child. That’s why we only hire teachers who strongly believe that learning should be a fun student-centered experience. Student events such as our music field trips and open mics are filled with opportunities for kids to feel seen, supported, and celebrated in a safe space. We are a small neighborhood lesson studio servicing in-home piano, guitar, and voice lessons in Arlington, Falls Church and Mclean, VA since 2016. If you’re interested in enrolling your child into weekly music lessons, we invite you to try out a lesson 50% off. Our fun teachers teach in your home so you don’t have to add another drive to your day.

So whether your child is roaring like a lion in the face-painting chair or sharing a song they wrote on stage, know this– they’re doing important work. They're growing and learning to explore themselves. Let’s play on!

Written by Nicole Kovar

Founder & Executive Director of Piano & More