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 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 @ 623-203-7616 for more information.
All of our teachers must be trained and qualified to teach Music Together prior to teaching other class offerings in order to promote consistency in educational theory, thought process, teaching styles, goals, communication, parent education and student expectations.
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VAL JAHN
Val has been teaching Music Together for 10 years, is a Certified Level II Instructor, and teaches both Parent/Child classes and is a Preschool Program Provider. 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 also teaches music readiness classes, classes for home school music, and does children's birthday parties. Val performs on the keyboard: solo, with a vocalist, and with a jazz trio. 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!"
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MARNI ANBAR
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. In June 2005, she successfully completed the Music Together Teaching Workshop developed by the Center for Music and Young Children, Princeton, New Jersey. 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.
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MARTHA HORTON
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!" In February of 2006, Martha successfully completed the Music Together Teaching Workshop developed by the Center for Music and Young Children, Princeton, New Jersey. 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." |
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RACHEL NASH
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. In the Fall of 2007, Rachel successfully completed the Music Together Teaching Workshop developed by the Center for Music and Young Children, Princeton, New Jersey. "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." |
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WENDY STAPLEY
Wendy is a native to the Phoenix area, has a Batchelor's Degree in Music Therapy from ASU, and is a board certified Music Therapist. She has 25 yrs experience in teaching piano, dance and music as well as 1 1/2 yrs of preschool music instruction. She plays piano, guitar, and Native American flute, but her primary instrument has always been her voice. Wendy has sung with the Sonoran Desert Chorale for 13 yrs, enjoys music theatre, and has played leading roles in Brigadoon and West Side Story. She enjoys dance, has training in Ballet and Jazz, and has also studied drumming and drum circle facilitation. Wendy has four children and 3 grandchildren. In her free time she enjoys scrapbooking, water and snow skiing, traveling and snorkeling. In June 2008, she successfully completed the Music Together Teaching Workshop developed by the Center for Music and Young Children, Pinceton, New Jersey. "As a music therapist, the value I see in the Music Together program goes beyond teaching basic music competency. I love that the program promotes healthy relationships in the family through the use of fun music and playful interactions. This builds strong bonds between the parent and child, which will help the child’s development throughout their life." |
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TERYN TRUE
Teryn graduated from Illinois State University in 2002 with a B.A. in Music Performance (flute) and again in 2006 with a second B.A. in Music Therapy. She is a Board Certified Music Therapist and played with the Universitiy's top ensembles, including the ISU Wind Symphony, which premiered 3 pieces at Lincoln Center in New York City. Teryn has a wide range of experience working with children which includes after school programs, programs for special needs children, and in-home music therapy for children with developmental disabilities. She plays flute, Native American flute, guitar, and a variety of percussion instruments. She successfully completed the Music Together Teaching Workshop developed by the Center for Music and Young Children, Pinceton, New Jersey in June 2009. Teryn believes that the MusicTogether program represents what is missing from most early childhood experiences today. It brings the family together again! Creating music together while everyone sings, plays instruments and dances, regardless of their ability, is a joyous experience that is lost in today's world full of music consumer products. "Everyone can create music and be musical no matter what their age or ability! The happiest moments of my childhood were when my mom and grandmother sang and danced with me. I don't remember what they sang, but I do remember how happy they were and how good it made me feel!" |
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CLAUDIA TULIP
Claudia, the Director of Music Together of Scottsdale/Cave Creekwill be joining us for special classes and substituting. Her musical performing accomplishments range from silver and indigenous flutes, panpipes, & ocarinas to Jazz Chorus and Big Band. She is currently a flutist for the William Eaton Ensemble, whose varied performances range from opening for James Taylor, Diana Krall & Kenny Loggins to performing for Princess Ann. She has also been a featured flutist on numerous CD's. Claudia has a B.A. in Music from Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY, additional training from the Dalcroze School of Music, New York, NY, and is certified in Orff-Schulwerk Level One. Her teaching experience ranges from Head Start to Middle/High School Choruses and Jazz Ensembles. Her specialties include improvisation and composition. Claudia has been Directing and Teaching Music Together classes for 10 years. She loves the veritable 'smorgasboard' of music represented in each of the music collections and uses her fabulous improvisational and leading skills to engage families in 'truly unique music-making experiences' filled with creativity and love. |
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