ENSEMBLE MUSIC TEACHERS

Our teachers are a group of highly talented individuals with varied backgrounds in music, theater, and early childhood education. They have been well trained as Music Together^® teachers, as well as musicians and educators. Our teachers are committed to excellence, regularly attend ongoing training offered by Music Together and other entities, and work closely together to benefit from each other’s expertise. We are all passionate about children, music, and musical development. We create a fun, informal setting that spurs engagement and supports not only each child's musical development, but equally important, the easy participation of all the adults in class.

Jessica Lee

Director, Ensemble Music

Jessica brings a depth of experience to her role as a Music Together director, teacher, performer, and parent. For the past 6 years she has created a nurturing environment for musical exploration, playfulness and skill building for her students, families and teachers. She completed her initial Music Together training in the spring of 2000 and founded Ensemble Music a year later. She received her Certification Level 1 Training in March of 2005 and was inducted into the Director’s Leadership Group in May of 2006. She is a national conference presenter and is pursuing Music Together’s highest certification level, Certification Level 2, in August of 2007.

Jessica is in her 4^th year as director of the Alleluia Choir at the House of Hope Choir School in St. Paul, and has previously lead music classes at numerous preschools in the area ranging from Montessori schools to classrooms with special needs children. She began an intergenerational music program in Eagan and worked with developmentally disabled adults through Access Services and Community Education in Minneapolis. She is also the director of Ensemble Music’s a cappella group, Common Chord.

Through extensive training in the Music Therapy program at the University of Minnesota, Jessica has had the opportunity to work with many diverse populations ranging from hard of hearing children to hospice patients. Proficient in voice, piano, guitar, saxophone and dance, she has also learned the basic fundamentals in all other instrumental areas.

As a mother of 3, Jessica knows first hand about the joys and challenges of parenthood. Her energetic, accepting style of teaching is sure to make you and your children feel welcome in her classroom. She feels fortunate to have found Music Together and says she truly looks forward to teaching each and every day.

Cathy Haugland

Cathy attended the University of Minnesota where she received her degree in Music Therapy. During her coursework at the U and since graduating, she has had the pleasure of working with individuals of varying ages as well as abilities. Proficient in voice, piano, guitar, and trombone, she has also learned basic fundamentals in all other instrumental areas.

After attending Music Together classes with her own children for nearly four years, Cathy began teaching them in the fall of 2004. In the winter of 2005 she began a weekly program in a dual-immersion preschool for students with English- and Spanish-speaking backgrounds. Joining with the classroom teachers, she was able to bring to the students experiences of creating music, moving to rhythms and playing along with each other in a musical setting.

As a mother of four boys ranging in age from 3 years to 7 years, Cathy is full of enthusiasm for life, learning and fun. She looks forward to joining you and your families in a rich, rewarding and enjoyable musical experience.

Cathy also sings in Ensemble Music’s a cappella group, Common Chord and runs her own Music Together center in Bloomington.

Leah Drury

Leah Drury has been involved in vocal music throughout her life, singing with the Twin Cities' girls' choir Bel Canto Voices in high school and with the University of Minnesota Women's Chorus. Leah spent five years fronting the now-defunct local ska/reggae band the Jinkies, recorded a CD with the band and toured the region extensively. Some of her favorite memories are performing at First Avenue in Minneapolis, the Metro in Chicago, and S.O.B.’s in New York City.

Since becoming a mother, Leah has settled down a bit, but is still singing! Leah joined Ensemble Music and became a registered Music Together teacher in early 2005 and completed her Certification Level 1 in November of 2006. Leah strongly believes in the Music Together philosophy that all children are musical and can achieve basic music competence. A love of music making, not a degree, is all parents need to foster musical development in their child; and Leah is proud to be proof of this herself! Her parents are not musicians, and her degree is in Urban Studies, but her love of singing and music has always been a prominent part of her life. Leah strives to impart this aspect of the Music Together philosophy in the classroom by keeping activities very accessible, playful, and most of all, fun for families!

Leah most recently has performed with the Twin Cities Women's Choir, the Twin Cities’ Gay Men’s Chorus, and with local artist Pete Hofmann. Leah also currently sings in Ensemble Music’s a cappella group, Common Chord. Leah’s other hobbies include distance running, yoga, politics, and spending time with her husband Dave, son Aidan, 4, and daughter Hadley, 6 months in their south Minneapolis neighborhood. She looks forward to singing, dancing, and having fun with your family in class!

Maureen Hunt

Maureen became a registered Music Together teacher in November 2006. She plays flute, trumpet, fiddle, guitar, and loves to sing. She enjoyed participating in Music Together classes with her daughter, Leina, and looks forward to sharing this wonderful music with Madeline, born March 2007. Maureen is also currently singing in Ensemble Music’s a cappella group, Common Chord.

She received a degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota in 2006. Maureen also has a degree in Japanese Language and spent 5 years living in Japan where she played taiko drums and bamboo flute with a local taiko drumming group.

"I taught English in Japan to all ages: pre-school to adult, and I always found a way to integrate music into my lessons. I get so energized by music that I really wanted to share that with my students."

Besides music making and taking care of her family, Maureen enjoys yoga, mountain biking, reading, anything Japanese, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Maureen looks forward to creating a comfortable, fun, accessible musical experience for everyone.

Cheryl Hornstein

After attending Music Together classes as a parent for 5 years with both of her own children, Cheryl became a registered Music Together teacher herself in the summer of 2006. Having seen how well the program works with her two boys, she said it felt like a natural progression for her to begin teaching.

Cheryl received a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Education and a masters degree in Theatre For Young Audiences and has been teaching drama and theatre programs for over 20 years. She has had experience with all age groups from pre-school through senior citizens. She currently leads music at worship services at Shir Tikzah Synagogue as well as music classes in Shir Tikzah’s preschool classrooms. Cheryl has also been singing with the One Voice Mixed Chorus since the fall of 2006.

She believes her background in Musical Theatre and drama will enhance her teaching of Music Together classes, as both are based on experiential learning. She loves music and singing and looks forward to having you and your family in her classes.

Sarah Johnson

Sarah became a registered Music Together teacher in the summer of 2005 after taking Music Together classes with her own two boys ages 4 and 6. Sarah received a B.A. in Music from Colorado College and has a diverse range of singing experiences that include opera, musical theater, gospel, choral singing and a short stint in a college rock band. Her favorite singing now is around the house with her kids and in Music Together! Sarah also sings with Ensemble Music’s a cappella group, Common Chord.

Sarah is committed to the philosophy of Music Together, that all children are musical and that through the discovery of a stimulating, supportive musical environment we can each develop the innate human capacity for music-making. She enjoys sharing her love of singing and music with children and their families and looks forward to welcoming you to class for a fun and exciting musical experience.

Kristine Danzinger

Kristine joined Ensemble Music in the summer of 2006 after completing the Music Together training in March of 2006. Kristine has a degree in Music and Business Administration and is an accomplished pianist. She toured as the keyboardist for Up With the People and can currently be found singing in her church choir, out on the dance scene doin' the Lindy, Salsa or Swing, or singing with Ensemble Music’s a cappella group, Common Chord.

She looks forward to sharing her love of music with your family.