Everyone had a great time at the June 8th CD Release Party of Il Fait Beau, a new CD set which combines music and language instruction to make it easier for the listener to learn French while enjoying original music. If you weren't able to attend, HERE is what you missed.

The collaborative effort is intended to be the first release in their “Language and Lyrics” series, which utilizes a unique approach to language arts. Recorded in Oklahoma City and La Rochelle, France, the 10-CD set follows native French speakers through a thrilling and romantic story set to music.

“Research has shown that combining music with language instruction helps utilize both sides of the brain, making it easier to learn a language at a much quicker rate than through rote memorization,” said Dunham in a news release.  “Not only does Il Fait Beau help people learn French more quickly by taking the listener through real-life situations, it does so by drawing on a compelling, entertaining story.”

With a style that is closer to a Broadway musical than a Berlitz lesson, Il Fait Beau features original music written and performed by Dillingham. A Musical Ambassador for the state of Oklahoma, the talented violinist has performed in more than 30 countries, including Thailand, The People’s Republic of China and France. A fluent French speaker, Dillingham worked closely with language educators and French natives to ensure that the lyrics and music were not only instructional, but also culturally accurate.

“Throughout my travels, I’ve found that you can learn so much about a country and its language by listening to its music. For many years, I’ve been enraptured with the music and language of France. So this CD is not only an intellectual pursuit, it’s a love song dedicated to French culture,” said Dillingham in the release.

The CD set has been two years in the making and is now available online at www.languageandlyrics.com.