Center Director and Teachers

To be a Music Together^® teacher, you need to be passionate about music and the development of children.

Very young children learn best through PLAY, so our teachers are specially trained to create a fun, informal, non-performance atmosphere that engages both children and adults, supports each child's musical development and allows adults to relax as they play musically with their children.

We introduce children to the joys of MAKING music instead of passively receiving it from CD's or television.

PART-TIME TEACHERS NEEDED:
Desert Mountain Music Together is always looking for energetic, enthusiastic teachers to join our team! Music, movement, and/or early childhood background preferred. Must attend 25 hrs. of initial training. Call Val Jahn @ 374-9509 for more information.

VAL JAHN Center Director and Teacher Valerie has been teaching Music Together for 7 years, is a Certified Level II Instructor, and teaches both Parent/Child classes and Music Together Licensed Preschool. She has a B.A in Special Edu. and child development, is the mother of two, and has 25+ years experience in music education from preschool and elementary classroom teaching, to private lessons and ensembles. She served four years as a faculty member of the Phoenix Conservatory of Music, has been the music director at several churches, and is currently teaching piano, guitar, and directing keyboard ensembles. She has an "empty lap" now that her daughters are grown and loves filling it with her many students. "The Music Together program allows me to combine all of my past child development training with my music teaching experiences to create something NEW and EXCITING! I fall in love with this program over and over as I enjoy the responses and growth of the children. Even the adults in class become reconnected with creative play. IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN!" *

MARNI ANBAR Teacher - Chandler Marni is the mother of two and has been passionate about all areas of early childhood development for many years. She volunteers frequently in both her children's classrooms and plans and teaches enrichment units. She used "Baby Signs" techniques with both of her children and became fascinated with the developmental learning ability of babies and toddlers. Marni enrolled her daughter in Music Together classes and was amazed at the wide range of musical responses in babies and one-year olds, which prompted her decision to teach. She received her Music Together training through the Center for Music and Young Children, Princeton, NJ in June 2005. Marni has been involved in music for most of her life. She plays the violin and sings in choir. She has a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame, a M.S. in Mathematics Education from the University of Rochester, and taught 7th Grade math for 2 1/2 years. She has also been in active duty in the Air Force and is currently a Major in the Air National Guard. Marni is excited about teaching Music Together and sharing her love of music-making with many new children. *

MICHELLE IGLEWSKI Teacher - Gilbert Music has always been an important part of Michelle's life. She has been singing since she was a little girl and plays piano and guitar. She holds a B.A. in Music from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a Masters in Music Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Michelle has more than 12 years experience teaching music, including courses for Pre-Kingergarten students, High School Vocal Music, Show Choir, Guitar, Electronic Music, and private voice and piano lessons. She has also done K-8 summer musicals, taught aerobic classes, and performed vocally at resorts and weddings. She is currently teaching private voice lessons and being a stay-at-home mom. Michelle is very excited about teaching Music Together. After the birth of her son, she got involved in a Music Together class and was so impressed with the program that she decided to teach. She received her training through the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ in June of 2005. Michelle teaches both Parent/Child Classes and Music Together Licensed Preschool. "Being a mother has opened my eyes to an entirely new world of music. Music Together has helped me to explore music as it relates to children, even from birth. What a great opportunity for young children to develop and grow!" *

MARTHA HORTON Teacher - Ahwatukee Martha was born and raised in Venezuela and is completely bilingual. She studied Architecture at the University of the Andes in Venezuela and has a certificate in Civil and Architectural Drafting from the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. In contrast to her formal training, her real passion has always been Dance. She has 15 years of dance training, including Modern, Ballet, Ballroom, and Latin and African dance. Her teaching experience ranges from Spanish and Salsa dancing in Fairbanks, Alaska, to using singing and dancing to teach English to 3 & 4 year olds at preschools in Shirako Machi, Japan. She plays the guitar and harmonica, and loves to sing. Martha first enrolled her daughter in Music Together so the whole family could have an activity together. "I fell in love with the program at the very first class. Although my daughter sat very still the whole time, once we came home, she started acting out everything we did in class. It was so exciting!" Martha received her Music Together training through the Center for Music and Young Children, Princeton, NJ in February of 2006. Because of the benefits Music Together has brought to her own family, Martha is anxious to share the program with others. "I believe that music and dance are not just entertainment, but are an important form of communication and bonding between families and their communities."

RACHEL NASH Teacher - Gilbert/Chandler Rachel has a Bachelor's from the University of Arizona in Music Education and is certified in Orff levels I, II, and III. After college she taught Grades K-5 general music in the Amphitheater School District in Tucson and later also taught early childhood music programs. She is currently serving on the board of the Arizona Orff Chapter and is co-directing children's hand bells and children's choir at her church. Rachel is the mother of four, volunteers in their classrooms, and has been involved in the Art Masterpiece program in their school. In her spare time, she loves going to museums, zoos, and botanical gardens with her children. She also loves to take long walks and to experiment with cooking. Rachel received her Music Together training through the Center for Music and Young Children, Princeton, NJ in the fall of 2007. "Music Together is a program that excites me because it is based on the premise that music is for everyone and that ALL children are musical! I've been involved in music my whole life. I don't remember a time when I wasn't singing and exploring music and I am thrilled to be able to introduce the joy and wonder of music through Music Together."