| Broward County, FL | |
|
Susana Brown (2009) After attending our first MwM class, my son and I were instantly hooked. I had finally found an activity for my son that was educational, affordable and so much fun! My favorite part of the program was how music was used to teach important, age-appropriate ideas without being too focused on musical ability. As a teacher, I have always believed in the connection between music and learning, and watching my son participate in this incredible learning process during MwM further affirmed my beliefs. |
|
|
Hillsborough County, FL |
|
|
Kelly
Chisholm
(2006)
has
a Bachelors of Music Education from FSU and taught Elementary and Middle
School Band for 5 years.
In 2001, Kelly stopped teaching to stay at home with her first
daughter.
They began attending Music with Mar. classes and loved them.
After her having her second daughter and attending with both girls, it
was time Kelly started teaching. Music
with Mar. combines Kelly’s two greatest passions: music and her
family. You can attend Kelly’s classes in Brandon and Riverview. Kellyc@musicwithmar.com
Kelly is on break right now and
will HOPEFULLY come back. |
 Wanda
Fertig (2006)Wanda is a mother of two who enjoyed Music with Mar. classes with her child while visiting an indoor play facility. She began working there as a sub for the classes and helping with other parent and child classes. After working with the program for a couple of years, she decided to become a fully trained instructor and open her own classes. Wanda is a former tutor and teaching assistant. She teaches in the Tampa/Lutz area – and always has her children at her side! Her top priority is to bring smiles to those young faces while helping to enhance their development. She is pleased to encourage other parents to do the same for their children by participating in the Music with Mar. program. I am most impressed when instructors offer facts regarding music and movement -- It reminds us of the value of performing these activities w/our children and gives the program and instructors credibility. wandaf@musicwithmar.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange County |
|
|
|
|
|
Pasco County, FL |
|
 Mary Fivecoat
(2003) Mary has been a preschool teacher for many years and helped to open and direct a preschool in her church. With children of school age, she was enjoying her new occupation, when along came Kimberly, Music with Mar. classes and a decision to become an instructor herself! Mary feels very lucky and blessed to be able to combine her favorite hobbies, singing and dancing, with her favorite occupation, working with children. Music with Mar. is a great way to enjoy both and be able to share it with her daughter, Kimberly. Maryf@musicwithmar.com |
|
| Pinellas County, FL | |
 Karen Gliddon (2002) Instructor Conductor Karen has her bachelor's degree in psychology and graduated from USF in 1999. She has been a nanny and has her background in early childhood (CDA). Karen has also worked with sign language. In 2002, she became a first time mother and ran classes with Mathew attached and bouncing along. She now has a second child and will be doing the same. She teaches in North Pinellas County, FL. Working with children is her passion. Kareng@musicwithmar.com |
Tamara Mulholland
(2003) Once
upon a time, Tamara was enjoying staying at home with her two boys, taking
them to playgroups and, of course, Music with Mar.! Her background
is a BA in Geography and 5 years in pediatrics. One day Tamara
visited the MwM website and noticed they were looking for new instructors
and she thought "Wow! I think I can do this!". What
a joy it is to provide an outlet for moms, a learning environment for
preschoolers, and not have to work full time. Being a MwM instructor
has opened doors in other areas, too. Tamara leads the "cherub
choir" at her church and also works a few hours a week at a preschool
as a music teacher. Life is great! tamaram@musicwithmar.com  |
Lori Benton
(2005) Lori has a
degree in education and a love of teaching families how to play
together. She had been teaching playgroups for parents.
After taking Mar.'s class at USF, she decided to add Music with Mar. to
her playgroups. She teaches in the Seminole/Largo area.
|
Lisa Brave
(2001-04/2008)
Welcome back, Lisa! Lisa has made Musical Theater a hobby throughout most of her life. She attended Ohio State University as a theater major. After changing majors to pursue the sciences, music and theater still remained an important part of her life. After attending Music with Mar. classes with her daughter, Sierra, Lisa realized what a wonderful combination Mar. had put together with music and early childhood education. She believes all children can learn through music, and that learning can be a by-product of fun. Lisa began as a Music with Mar. instructor in early 2001 and continued through 2004, taking tremendous joy in starting two Intergenerational classes in Pinellas County. Miss Lisa was thrilled to be able to re-certify with Mar. after taking some time off and get right back into the Morning Strut! Lisa and her husband, Dan, and two wonderful children reside in St. Petersburg, with her dog and two felines. 
|
|
Sarasota County, FL |
|
|
|
|
| Alaska | |
|
Tania Silva-Johnson
(2004) Tania was
raised in Kodiak, Alaska. She worked at the State of AK
Public Assistance Office for 5 yrs. as a caseworker & then shortly
after having her first of two children, decided to become a stay at home Mom. She
attended Music with Mar. classes for almost 2 yrs. & started
teaching in March 2005 when she learned the instructor's husband was
transferring. She wanted the classes to still be available.
Tania now trains others to bring the program to more families and her
daughter enjoys helping. |
|
| Georgia | |
|
|
 Carlyle
Dorroh (2006) Carlyle has a bachelors degree in psychology and a masters degree in Special Education.
Prior to staying at home with her two children,
she taught in both public and private schools and served as the director
of a preschool and early elementary program.
While Carlyle was a school director, she was fortunate to meet Mar. and
have the school serve as a host site for a Music with Mar.
Class. Carlyle's son, Will, has literally grown up with Music with Mar.
- starting from when he was still in the womb!
When she learned she was relocating to TN, she was eager to make the
transition to stay-at-home mom and saw it as an
opportunity to bring the program to a new state and have something to
do that would keep her involved in what she loved while having her two
children with her.Carlyled@musicwithmar.com |
|
|
| Kansas | |
 Beth
Welland (2008) Beth
has a Bachelors degree in English and a Masters degree in Education.
She taught English as a Second Language and first grade prior to
becoming a stay-at-home mom to her two girls.In addition, Beth directs the Rainbow Bell Choir at her church and is active in her community’s MOPS program. |
|
| Massachusetts | |
 Bethany
Gay (2003) Bethany's degree is in psychology with a major in Special Education. "When I became a stay at home Mom for my daughter Laura, we began going to Music with Mar classes in Falmouth with Michelle Brandt. Laura and I absolutely loved it. Laura was learning so many great things and having fun while doing it. We wished there was something like this in Wareham. I decided to become an instructor so that other children in the area can have the same opportunity. Now we get to go to a lot of classes and enjoy meeting other children and families." Bethanyg@musicwithmar.com |
|
| Missouri | |
|
|
 Becky Podjenski
(2003) Becky
quit teaching 12 years ago to start a family. She attended one of
Anna's classes, loved it and wanted to do that, too. Now 12 years
and 5 children later, she can be both Mom and teacher at the same time. "A
friend of mine once said that, if you ever find something
that you just enjoy and believe in so much, that you just can't believe
you're getting paid to do it, you treasure it. Here I am, and I do."BeckyP@musicwithmar.com |
Carolyn Money
(2008)  Carolyn holds a BA in Theatre Arts and English from Central Methodist University and is currently pursuing an MA in Teaching. She has worked as a singer/actress in professional musical theatre in the Kansas City and Chicago areas. During this time, she also worked as a teacher. Carolyn decided to stay at home full time after the birth of her son, and she has loved every minute of it. She first became acquainted with the Music with Mar. program while attending classes with her son. She was so impressed by the program and her son's MwM teacher, that, after a year of attending classes, she decided to pursue instructor certification. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this invaluable program to other families! CarolynM@musicwithmar.com |
|
Deb Ingram (2009)
 Debbie experienced the effects Mr. Froggy and the Music with Mar. program played in her children's development while attending Miss Becky's Blue Springs, MO classes. She loved the classes so much, she wanted to offer this unique music/education program to families where she lived--Independence. Becoming a teacher/educator through Music with Mar. is something that speaks to her heart. She feels it is an avenue where she can apply her early childhood education, kindergarten teaching experience, and choir training. She believes in a musical approach to learning and naturally used song and dance in her kindergarten classroom to motivate and engage the children and feels that the power of music aided in their learning more than using any other media. Since she has been a stay-at-home mom, she has continued with that philosophy raising her own two children. She sings and dances her way through every day and is very excited to share this wonderful program to guide children's social, emotional, creative and musical abilities and to offer priceless bonding time with families and friends. DeborahI@musicwithmar.com |
Bonnie
Rudzinski (2009)
is a songwriter, educator and
mentor. She has a degree in music education from
Illinois Wesleyan University and is certified in Orff Level 1 and 2.
She was one of the early founders of Play & Learn Pre-School
in Rockford, IL and has taught Grade School Music (K-8) in AZ and
throughout the Midwest. She and her students were the MO State Winners
of a $10,000 music grant from the Oscar Mayer Company enabling them to
expand and upgrade their music program.
|
|
|
|
| New Hampshire | |
|
|
| North Carolina | |
|
|
| Ohio | |
|
|
| Western NY | |
|
|
|
|
Katie
Maccalini
(2002)
Instructor Conductor Katie enjoyed Julie's classes so much, she wanted to be just like her. Katie is a teacher with two children. She has taught music and computers. Her classes are in Clarence, NY. Katiem@musicwithmar.com
|
Sarah Khuu
(2008)  Sarah Khuu has a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She has taught many years of piano and clarinet lessons, as well as pre-school and elementary school. In 2003, she moved to Buffalo, NY from Minnesota and first encountered Music with Mar. classes with her young daughter. Soon she began subbing for area teachers. Now she is a fully licensed Music with Mar. teacher and teaches in Hamburg, NY with her daughter and twins! "Teaching is my passion, and my children love going to class as much as I do!" sarahk@musicwithmar.com |
 Becky
Williams
(2003) Becky
attended Julie's classes for 1 1/2 years then decided to become an
instructor.
"I
want to work with children and families and give them the
opportunity to have the priceless moments I've had with my own
children from classes.
From my son singing back to Mr. Froggy the 1st time and
looking back at me so proud of himself to
my daughter being able to play a kazoo and singing (in her own
language) during Hey, Hey Everybody
when she was 10 months old. We have such a good feeling
every week after class or at home when we sing and dance to Music with
Mar. I want to share that feeling with other families. Teaching
Music with Mar. gives me the opportunity to utilize my education
degree while staying home and spending more time with the most
important people in my life, my family."Beckyw@musicwithmar.com |
Kristin Jelsen (2008) Kristin Jelsen has her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked primarily as a school-based occupational therapist in elementary schools. She was introduced to Music With Mar. classes last year when her sister began bringing her son to Miss Katie’s class. Her sister told her she had to check it out, so Kristin attended a class with her nephew. She immediately fell in love with the program! She teaches in the Akron, NY area. Her daughter loves Mr. Froggy, too! |
 Anita Herr
(2003)
enjoyed Julie's classes so much and was so impressed by the obvious
developmental benefits to the children, she started training
with Julie to start her own classes. Anita has a BS in
Special Education and a Masters Degree in Learning Disabilities.
After teaching for 14 years, Anita stayed at home when her first
child was born in 2001. Being a MwM instructor allows her
the joy of staying home with her daughter and son while
continuing her love of teaching, all at the same time! Anita's
classes are in the Tonawanda area, north of Buffalo.Anitah@musicwithmar.com |
Bridget Pacholec (2008) Bridget Pacholec is a mom of four boys. She has been teaching dance in the South towns for 17 years. She started attending Music with Mar. when son number four arrived. She also attended Julie's classes and instantly fell in love with the program. She is excited to take the reigns over in East Aurora and looking forward to starting in West Seneca in the fall.
|
Melissa Sacco (2009)
 Once Melissa got her Bachelor's Degree from Medaille College in 2006, she decided to start a family and be a stay-at-home mother. After participating in Music with Mar. classes with her two youngest children for over a year, she was inspired to join the MwM team herself. When she saw what a positive impact the classes had in her own life she couldn't help but want to take a more active role with her children and others in her community. Her classes are located in Elma and Depew. MelissaS@musicwithmar.com |
|
|
|
|
| Tennessee | |
|
Jennifer Heflin (2010)
|
|
| Texas | |
|
|
|
| Virginia | |
Allyson Shayner (2010) Allyson has a
Bachelor of Science in Music Performance and a Graduate Certificate in
Music Therapy. She has been a music therapist for 4 years. She works
with a variety of clients, including pre-school, high school and some
work in geriatrics, using music to reinforce non-music goals in her
sessions. She has been a huge fan of “Mar.” and met her a few years ago
at a conference. After visiting Mar. in Florida a few times and
bringing Mar. up to Virginia to do a workshop , she was very interested
in starting her own classes. She is very excited to bring Music with
Mar. to Virginia!Allysons@musicwithmar.com |
 Mary Wallace
(2009) Mary has always had a great love for music and has been actively
involved in community and church singing for over 30 years. She's
originally from Maryland but after retiring, moved to Virginia Beach in 2007 to take
care of her first granddaughter, Madeline, while her parents taught
school. Her second granddaughter, Marley Mae, started
attending Music with Mar. classes in 2008 in Riverview, FL. Marley and
her mom and dad fell in love with the program! When Mary then came down
to FL to next care for Marley when her mom went back to work, she
attended Music with Mar. classes and loved it as well. So, when the opportunity to become an instructor
opened up, she was more than happy to keep the classes going by teaching
through music and having fun with the children and her granddaughter all
at the same time. What a great retirement job!MaryW@musicwithmar |
|
|
|
| International Locations | |
|
|
|
Jennifer Sanders
(2008) 
Lara Slatniske
(2006) 
Heidi Noyes (2010) has
always loved to sing and sang in school up until Jr High School where
she joined the band like her siblings. She was a percussionist for
5 years. She joined the Contemporary and Adult Choirs at church and
continued her singing when she left for college and attended Saint Leo
University, where she received her BA. Along with college courses
Heidi was very active in Campus Ministry and in the Music program at
Saint Leo. Upon graduation, Heidi became a High School Theology
teacher and taught for 13 years along with directing student singing
groups. During her teaching years she met her husband Dan.
They now have a beautiful little girl-- Daniella . Heidi loves to sing
and missed teaching and found Music with Mar a great way to sing, teach
and most importantly spend quality time with her daughter.
Becky
Sego (2009)
Becky has a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and is a
National Board Certified Teacher. After 14 years teaching music in
public school, Becky became a Mom of two beautiful girls. Looking for
an option to share her passion of music with kids while staying home,
she learned of this wonderful program. Along with being an active
private woodwind instructor, adjudicator and leadership clinician, she
is very excited to be bringing Music with Mar. to the Orlando area.
Her girls are also very happy to make Mr. Froggy a new part of their
family!
Barbara
Wolf (2005) As a part-time substitute teacher and a full-time mom, I
took my children to Music with Mar. classes for 4 years. We love the
classes, but the closest one was a 30 minute drive. I would always
encourage friends to come along to carpool. One day a friend encouraged
me to start my own class closer to home. I now teach 2 classes in the
Ellenton / Parrish community and love being known by preschoolers as the
"music teacher".
Christina Burdick (2010)
Christina and her family are transplants to Atlanta from St. Pete,
FL. MwM was a weekly outing for her and her daughter, Addie and
son, Michael. She was disappointed to find that MwM did not
have an instructor in GA! After missing their MwM class for 2 years,
Christina finally realized that maybe she ought to bring Mr. Froggy to
Atlanta. Her background in Music and BS in Elementary Education makes
MwM a wonderful fit for Christina. While her husband, Nathan, is working
and Addie and Michael are at school, she now gets to share MwM classes
with other families. Preschoolers in Georgia are really enjoying
singing to Mr. Froggy!
Anna
Bannister
(2003) 
Megan
Nichols (2010)
Julie
Wirth
(2005)
J
Laurie Josey (2010) 
Nicole Bihari (2009) Nicole Bihari has been
working as an Occupational Therapist for 9 years. After becoming a mom,
she attended her sister’s classes in New York while visiting and fell in
love with the program. Her son, then only 6 months enjoyed the class as
much as the older kids. Nicole decided to bring the program
to Ohio in the Cleveland area.
Julie Cicero (2000)
Julie brought Music with Mar. to Western NY. Though she no longer
teaches, we wanted to keep her picture up. Thank
you, Julie!
Jennifer Savage
(2010) Jen
Savage has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Music and
a Master of Arts in Education from Truman State University.