[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TC: How long have you been teaching Kindermusik?
JS: Since 2008
TC: What year did you first open your business?
JS: Also in 2008. My husband Luis and I had been teaching music lessons at other studios for about 8 years when we decided to open our own place. Besides Kindermusik, I teach voice, piano, and violin. Luis is a guitar teacher.
TC: What’s your favorite Kindermusik song to sing?
JS: Sail Away – it has such a beautiful chorus and I love “flying” all the babies to the middle of the circle! My daughter loves Skinnamarink and Drifting (I was teaching that unit while pregnant with her and she has always loved that song, so I’ve sang it to her every night and at every nap since she was still in the hospital!)
TC: What’s your favorite Kindermusik dance to lead?
JS: Tants Tants Yiddelech for sure – it’s so grand! Love Somebody is another favorite, I love all the adults scooping up their children to say, “Love somebody and it’s you, you, you!”
TC: What’s your favorite part of teaching Kindermusik?
JS: Teaching new parents how music affects their child’s development, and giving them tons of musical parenting tips to use with their children!
TC: If you had to name just one secret to success in the Kindermusik classroom, what would it be?
JS: Creating a warm and welcoming environment where all children and grownups feel relaxed enough to let loose, be silly, and step back to observe the children.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TC: What’s the funniest OR most touching thing that’s ever happened to you as a Kindermusik teacher?
JS: One of my favorite moments was in a baby class when I looked around and every adult was holding someone else’s baby! Not on purpose; they were just such a great group that everyone felt comfortable.
TC: Describe a teaching experience or favorite Kindermusik family that has impacted you as a teacher.
JS: I love seeing how well our Kindermusik graduates do in music lessons. They can sing in tune, have great rhythm, and can keep a steady beat (tempo), and play so musically by incorporating phrasing & dynamics. It’s truly amazing.
TC: If you could share one tip with a new Kindermusik educator, what would it be?
JS: It’s not about you, it’s about the customer. Think about what they would like and how you can make them have an OUTSTANDING experience at your studio, from their first phone or email contact, to your website, to a trial class, to their Kindermusik graduation years later.
TC: What do you feel has made your studio business a success?
JS: Being an excellent teacher (and training excellent teachers to be on our staff!), prepared and flexible in class, making every person feel important, and offering fair pricing, makeups, and perks to our clients. Most new families come to us via word of mouth from our raving fans!
TC: What makes Bucktown Music such a special place?
JS: The sense of community. When you walk in the door, we know your name. We often know both parents, the nanny, the grandparents, and everyone else who takes care of the child. We love having families who start as babies and then we get to see them move on to private lessons, and have recitals on the big grand piano in the Fine Arts Building in downtown Chicago. It’s really neat!
TC: What are some of the goals you have for your business?
JS: We would like to expand into more schools and daycares, so that we can reach children who aren’t able to attend our studio classes.
TC: What’s something new and exciting that’s happening with your business?
JS: We are hoping to add a second classroom and a second private lesson room to our studio in the next year! I am also loving my new position with Kindermusik International and am thrilled and honored to be part of refreshing the training for new Kindermusik business owners. I’m especially excited about traveling to Australia this fall to train new educators down under!
TC: What are some of your hobbies?
JS: I love to cook, and then I decided to take it to the next level and started gardening. I have an “oversize” city lot (30ft haha), which my husband and I dug up about half the grass to create a little urban farm where we grow most of our vegetables in summer. We are also avid bicycle riders and ride all over the city and go on bike trips on the Wisconsin trails. We have a 4 year old daughter who LOVES Kindermusik so we do a lot of singing, dancing, and instrument playing at home.
TC: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
JS: It’s simple, but my dad always told me, “Do the right thing.” It hasn’t failed me yet![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]