Preparing to perform in front of an audience for your school's holiday concert can be a little scary — especially if you're in kindergarten.

But Karley Jo Jackson and the rest of her kindergarten class at Twin Echo Elementary School in Collinsville seemed to be seasoned pros when they rocked out "The Gingerbread Man Rap" and practiced their group bow with music teacher Rebecca Biethman last week.

"She's a ham, so she's not nervous," said Karley Jo's mom, Kimberly Jackson, adding that Karley Jo has participated in dance recitals and competed for the Miss Italian Fest twice.

Karley Jo and her 21 classmates were rehearsing for the Twin Echo holiday concert scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15. The school's second-grade class will be performing a drama titled "Gingerbread Christmas" and the fourth-grade class will be performing multicultural songs from other countries. Karley Jo's class will be singing three songs and serving as back-up singers, according to Biethman, the show's musical director.

Last Monday morning, the class seemed to already have their song and dance moves together. They knew just the right time to hold up a finger for "One Special Cookie," and when to move their arms and legs stiffly for "The March of the Toys."

Giggles could be heard from the 5- and 6-year-olds in between the notes. But along with the fun came the lessons on performance and music theory.

"Diction is done with the tip of your tongue," said Biethman in a rhythmical chant.

Biethman reviewed music dynamics such as pitch and crescendo with the class and she had them practice their bows, times to applaud and stage entry and exit.

"There will be risers, just like your stairs at home," Biethman told the class, as she drew steps on the board, "and we will step up four steps."

Biethman, who has been teaching for 23 years, divides her time between Twin Echo in the morning and Summit Elementary School in the afternoon. She provides music instruction for 16 classes of elementary school students. At Twin Echo, her mobile classroom consists of a rolling cart with a projector, speakers and a karaoke machine that she takes into the classrooms.

Biethman said music education is more than just about singing songs. Earlier this year, she used songs she had composed for her now-adult son to help the children learn character traits.

"The songs gives them some additional support with making the right choices," she said.

Contact reporter Ramona C. Sanders at 618-344-0264, ext. 136