Each year, Kindermusik International awards Top Program honors to Accredited Educators around the world. For the 2024-2025 assessment period, Carol Stringham and her team at Song of the Heart Studios had the fifth highest number of registered families for Kindermusik classes.
It all began with a friendly chat. Combining her experience in early education and as a musician, Carol took a leap into the Kindermusik world, and has gone on to deeply impact her community through shared music-making.
Carol, where is your location and how many years have you been accredited?
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. I just finished year 28!
How did you originally hear about Kindermusik and what was your journey to becoming accredited like?
I was visiting my sister in Seattle and chatting with her friend at a party about the Kindermusik program she was running. My heart went pitter-patter and I couldn’t wait to learn more. I was a mom of three, had taught school for several years, loved pedagogy, was fascinated by educational philosophy, and I was a musician.
I was completely taken with the Kindermusik way and knew immediately I wanted to be part of it. Unbelievably, there was an in-person training taking place in Salt Lake City just a few months later. I immediately signed up. I felt like I had come home! Kindermusik has been the place where all of my talents, skills, AND dreams came together. It has brought me hope, joy, growth, connection, and pure love for 28 years.
What was your program like at first, what’s it like now, and what has changed versus stayed the same?
When I began, my goal was to provide the most present, loving, educational experiences for the people who trusted me with their children. As my program grew, I had to chase that growth and learn how to run a business. I taught in my home for 3 years, moved to a ballet studio where I rented space for ten years, and then on to my own studio space 15 years ago. Along the way, I obviously had to hire educators, make sure they were trained in what we call “The Song of the Heart Studios Way”, and continue to mentor them on their Kindermusik journeys. This has been both a joy and a delightful challenge.
What standards do you hold for yourself and any employees as educators, and how do you keep that top of mind?
We have studio values that we infuse into everything we do. A stellar classroom experience? The educators infuse everything they do in the classroom with joy, connection, family, growth and heart. If you begin with your values and use them as your vision, the end often takes care of itself.
Teaching is a solitary endeavor but we need one another to become better at what we do. So, we include lots of sharing and also educator observations to keep us all growing and our classroom environments fresh. Teaching is a beautiful evolution, and I try and lean into that as a philosophy and as a practice.
Tell us a little bit about your community. What have you learned from them and what about them drives you to create a safe, creative, and supportive space for the families you serve?
We have the most beautiful Kindermusik community! I must say my favorite thing at the moment is former students who are now bringing their OWN children to class. It’s so gratifying to see the impact Kindermusik has had on their lives and see them continue the joy with their own little ones. I have learned to be present because of our Kindermusik families. I’m a mover and a doer so the opportunity to sit on the floor of the classroom, slow down, and guide parents and their children has caused me to breathe and be present while giving them the best possible experience. That has been a true gift and has made me a better educator.
my favorite thing at the moment is former students who are now bringing their OWN children to class. It’s so gratifying to see the impact Kindermusik has had on their lives and see them continue the joy with their own little ones.
– Carol Stringham, owner of Song of the Heart Studios
Do you have any memorable “a-ha” moments from teaching a class?
I love facilitating their little friendships and watching their imaginations grow. I love their sparkle. I love watching their grownups discover the phenomenal growth…
– Carol Stringham, owner of Song of the Heart Studios
I love teaching so much that If I could still teach every single class, I would. With about 60 classes on our roster, this is obviously impossible. That being said, I think one of my My biggest “a-ha” moments over the years—and this is vulnerable—has been the angst of handing classes over to other educators.
Would they give the same care that I do? Would they see the importance of relationship? Would they be as dedicated to their families? Would they prepare and work hard? The answer has been yes. Yes, they have and they do!
Although I love teaching every level, my absolute favorite is Level 3. I love watching the growth and delight that Kindermusik inspires, and helping children feel capable and comfortable without their parent or caregiver in the room. I love facilitating their little friendships and watching their imaginations grow. I love their sparkle. I love watching their grownups discover the phenomenal growth that music provides their preschooler.
What continues to drive you as 1) an educator and 2) a business owner?
As an educator, I love to work with children to develop their soft skills. The skills that will help them do well in school and in life. For the grownups who love them, I am driven to help them “make their great parenting even better.” As a business owner, I am driven to be a mentor that helps my educators make their stellar teaching even better. I’m also driven to find the best systems to manage 400+ students and help each one feel loved and cared for. To be, as one of my business coaches says, “conspicuously human.”
What vision do you have for your studio in the years to come?
My true vision is to have our studio values, our systems and processes, along with our classes so dialed in that everyone associated with the studio—myself, my admin staff, my educators, the grownups, and every single student—feels like they are part of a movement. “A movement where childhood is honored, families are strengthened, minds are nourished, creativity is encouraged, community deepens, and hearts are filled with joy. To be the place where hearts sing, eyes shine, and children flourish.”
Find out more about Top Program studios like Song of the Heart Studios, and locate one near you. If you’re interested in becoming an Accredited Educator like Carol, check out our training options. You can also connect with Song of the Heart Studios on Instagram and Facebook.