Meet the Instructors
Please visit the guest book if you’d like to comment on your wonderful experiences at a Music with Mar. class.
Broward County
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.
Elizabeth “Pie” Kasbar has always had a strong attachment to music. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA in Vocal Performance. Studying classically provided Pie with a strong foundation in music and nurtured her love of performance. Recently, however, her audience has dwindled to the most important and appreciative of all: her three children. Pie has always suspected the impressive power of music in relation to the development of small children. Becoming familiar with Mar. and her amazing program has proven that hunch over and over. The opportunity to teach Music with Mar. has been a Blessing and Pie enjoys sharing this newfound knowledge with parents and children alike!
Hillsborough County, FL
Heidi Noyes (2010) Heidi 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.
Angela Nolte (2010) Angela has both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Florida. She taught Middle School in Hillsborough County, Florida for 10 years before becoming a mom and deciding to stay home to raise her two children. Angela has been singing and performing since she was a little girl. When a friend mentioned Music with Mar. in 2007, her oldest daughter was only 1. Angela jumped at the chance to share her love of music with her little girl. After attending their first class together, Angela realized that Music with Mar. was the perfect fit for her family. Now as an instructor, Angela hopes to enrich the lives of families in her community through this unbelievable program.
Orange County
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!
BeckyS@musicwithmar.com
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
Helene Hannum (2011) has been living in Tarpon Springs for 4 years with her husband Todd and their two children. After 10 years of owning her own business, she decided to become a stay at home mother to be more available for her children. She and her husband became the local cub scout leaders turning the pack into one of the largest in the area. Those years were some of the best they have had with the education of children and getting involved with the community. Since moving to Tarpon Springs, Helene has been organizing play dates and attending Library classes with her daughter. When they attended their first Music with Mar. class, they fell in love with the program. After the third class, she could not wait to become a part of such a wonderful educational and fun experience by becoming an instructor.
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.
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!
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.
One of her favorite MwM stories: A preschool teacher from St. Paul’s told me she was out to dinner & from a nearby table she heard a preschooler that I teach take their chopsticks & tap them together & sing “I like Lentils.” Its also wonderful when you see a child sing to Mr. Froggy for the first time & then look so proud when we cheer for them”.
“I love this program because it’s fun, my children can be with me and I have never stopped learning. It impresses me that the songs appeal to such a wide age range. Some of the songs that are the favorite in my class are the favorite with the preschoolers and my daughter & her friends as well. The highlight for me has been assisting Mar. to come to Kodiak (and now working on a repeat visit) for concerts, workshops and trainings. I learned so much from her directly. My career interests have changed so much that I am now taking early education classes and working towards a new degree. I am also working on expanding Music with Mar. here in Kodiak! “TaniaS@musicwithmar.com
Velma Ostlund (2011) Velma is the mother of two boys. She discovered Music with Mar. in Kodiak, AK when her first son was born. She has a Bachelor of Science in Government from the United States Coast Guard Academy and is now 2 credits shy of a Masters in Elementary Education. She loves music and loves exercise and thinks Music with Mar. is a wonderful combination of fun, learning, social interaction and physical activity! VelmaO@musicwithmar.com
Georgia
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!
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.
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. She was introduced to Mr. Froggy at her niece’s birthday party and thought, ‘This is fun! How can we get a class like this in my neighborhood?’ She loves how the MwM songs and activities have so many educational benefits, and how the class encourages positive interaction between the adult and the child.
In addition, Beth directs the Rainbow Bell Choir at her church and is active in her community’s MOPS program.
BethW@musicwithmar.com
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.”
Missouri
Anna Bannister (2003) Anna Bannister is a certified instructor with the Music with Mar. program. She has a bachelors in Broadcasting & Film with a minor in Theatre. She has been singing in one form or another most of her life. She is a member of her Praise Team at church where she also leads the Drama team. Her energy and enthusiasm for music and children are contagious. And, obviously that is so because she has inspired others to become interested in the program as well. Anna now has a child of her own that she is introducing to the world of music.
AnnaB@musicwithmar.com
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.”
Hedy Goldman (2009) Hedy holds a Masters degree in Elementary Education . A long time Kindergarten teacher , she has also taught in and directed a pre-school; has been a Kansas City Zoo Docent, and an American Royal Museum tour guide. Her passion has always been working with children and their families, so when she recently retired from teaching she missed that connection. It took one visit to Miss Anna’s Music with Mar. class and she knew that becoming a Music with Mar. instructor was exactly what she wanted to do! “The program brings together music, and early childhood education in a relaxed and fun filled atmosphere. I am excited to bring Music with Mar. to the south Kansas City/Johnson County area, and to share the fun and learning this program brings to children and their families.”
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.
Bonnie Rudzinski (2009) Bonnie 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.
While attending a MwM class to complete state certification requirements Bonnie was thrilled with the quality of music she was hearing and delighted in the wonderful opportunities Mar.’s music offers children through brain based movement. Bonnie is happy to be involved in a program where she can mentor both parents and children in a fun-filled way through music.
BonnieR@musicwithmar.com
New Hampshire
Julie Wirth (2005) Julie was raised in Western New York and came to Buffalo to go to college where she studied teaching in special, elementary, reading, and blind and visual education. She taught for 12 years and decided that staying home was going to be better for her family. Her son Derek had been attending Music with Mar. classes for two years and loved them. Later her daughter Clarissa came along and the instructor who was teaching the class needed someone to take over the classes. Then, her family relocated and she took the program with her. Teaching Music with Mar. has been a great way to meet other moms, use her educational experience and have her children gain from the classes as well.
North Carolina
Laurie Josey (2010) Laurie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She taught elementary as well as middle school aged children in public schools for 11 years before becoming a stay at home mom after having her second child. She’s originally from Western, NY (the Buffalo area) and was there visiting family when she attended her first Music with Mar. class with her two children who were 1 and 4 yrs. old at the time. She was overjoyed to find an entertaining & educational class that was appropriate for both of her children, despite their age difference. After returning from her visit, she searched for such a program in her current hometown, Durham, NC. She was disappointed that nothing compared to her experience with MwM. She decided that she wanted to bring MwM to her area so that other families could have the opportunity to bring their children to a class that would offer such a dynamic integration of music and learning.
Pearly Barrow (2011) is a mother of two wonderful children and is enjoying being a stay at home mom. Prior to having children, Pearly was an elementary school teacher for 14 years as well as a tutor for ESOL children. Pearly has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education. She is excited to find a music program that promotes so many aspects in a child’s development. Her children have loved learning the Music with Mar. songs with her and they actually learn them faster than she does!
PearlyB@musicwithmar.com
New York — Western 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!
I have so enjoyed teaching Music with Mar. classes over the years. I began attending Music with Mar. classes with Mar. in 1997. I have met so many of wonderful families. My favorite part of teaching Music with Mar. is seeing how excited the kids get when they see me and I so enjoy all the hugs I receive. Wouldn’t it be great to wake up every morning to that kind of warm reception and unconditional love!
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.
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!”
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!kristinj@musicwithmar.com
Anita Herr (2003) Anita 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.
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.
Texas
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. She worked as a teacher in the Kansas City area for 6 years before deciding to stay home with her two boys in 2008. Jen attended Music with Mar. classes with Miss Becky in masi for 3 years before moving to Texas. Jen. The boys missed Mr. Froggy and Jen wanted to bring Music with Mar. to Texas! She is a firm believer that children and parents can learn together through music. What better way to bond with your kids than while having fun!JenS@musicwithmar.com
Ange Blankenship (2012) Ange has always loved to sing; growing up singing in church and choirs in both high school and college. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Shawnee State University in Ohio, where she was born and raised. She came to Texas when she married her husband Andy in 2002. She received her master’s degree in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin while serving as the high school librarian at Brentwood Christian School. In 2007, her first child was born and she made the decision to stay at home and not return to work. Music with Mar. came along just when she was thinking about ways to continue to stay at home now that her children were ready to enter kindergarten and preschool. Her kids loved the songs and she loved the wonderful lessons provided in the music. She loves meeting lots of Round Rock families!AngeB@musicwithmar.com
