Laura Sabini grew up in a musical family where parties became jam sessions. She has sung various types of music including gospel, classical, a cappella, but her heart lies in jazz. A graduate of Trinity College in Psychology, Laura focused on counseling children. While living in Italy Laura continued to work with children, always using music as an educational tool. Upon returning to USA, Laura created Groovy Baby, combining her love of children with her passion for music. Using original jazz and blues songs, she taught interactive music education throughout the Boston area. With the success of Groovy Baby Laura was eager to train with the Center for Music and Young Children and began teaching Music Together^® in Cambridge and Brookline in 2000. Over the years, she has continued her commitment to offering the best in music education to the community: training teachers, and expanding to Cambridge, Brookline, Boston, Somerville, Charlestown, and Southie. Now the scope widens beyond Music Together, as GroovyBabyMusic offers new programs: Canta Y Baila Conmigo, and Rhythm Kids. While Laura's directorial duties beckon, her favorite place continues to be in the GroovyBabyMusic classroom: seeing her teacher's excel, children dancing, parents singing, families experiencing The Joy of Family Music^®....she can only beam!

Vanessa Trien comes to the Music Together® family after 13 years of experience performing as a singer and songwriter and working in the field of music education. After earning her Masters from Harvard University, she taught music at Cambridge Montessori School. Recently, she has produced various arts festivals around the Boston area. Now a mother herself, of 5 year old Ellis, and baby Laila, Vanessa is excited to share her love of music with families in the community. Check out Vanessa's CD of her original music, entitled, "Wash Away," at vanessatrien.com Vanessa enrichens her classes with her original kids songs. Her fabulous CD's of children’s music has won numerous awards and praise from parents and children alike. Check out HOT AIR BALLOON. Vanessa's second CD, "Carnival Day" has also gotten rave reviews! Now her new CD "Bubble Ride", is another HIT!

PARENTS' PRAISE FOR VANESSA

Michael Glashow grew up with music and movement all around him: along with his mother (a dancer), his father (a drummer), and his two sisters (who played piano, flute and saxophone), Michael (a singer and guitarist) was the youngest member of a very artistic family! While at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he studied music and served as music director of the award winning a cappella group the Vocal Suspects. Since moving to Boston, Michael has been active in local musical theater as a music director, performer, and instrumentalist. He also teaches private lessons, performs professionally, and works as a healer. Making music with his niece and nephew inspired Michael to work with very young children. The combination of his calm demeanor, joyous vocals and guitar playing, and enthusiasm about teaching make him a wonderful member of our team. He is very excited to continue sharing his love of music and life with everyone in the Groovy Baby Music family. To find out more about Michael, visit Michael's Web Site.

PARENTS' PRAISE FOR MICHAEL!


Portraiture by Photographer Michael Manning

Julie Rama has spent most of her life surrounded by music. She grew up in a
family of musicians, and was staging renditions of "The Sound of Music" in
her livingroom by age 5. After college, she was on her way to becoming an
opera singer, when she realized that she wanted to use her musical talents
in other ways. She recorded a CD of original songs and began performing at
clubs around the Boston area. Meanwhile, she also took a teaching position
at Echo Falls Preschool in Newton, MA, realizing that she could use music to
inspire and educate her preschoolers. Over the next eight years, Julie
learned many different ways to talk about and involve the children in music.
Her funky and downright goofy style is contagious; it helps her to draw her
students in and allows them to express their own musical creativity.
Currently, Julie is the music specialist at Echo Falls, plays in a folk/funk
band called Smooch, and spends lots of time "rocking out" with her sons Elias & Kai.

PARENTS' PRAISE FOR JULIE!


Portraiture by Photographer Michael Manning

Jeff Jam is a friendly, goofy guy that sings and performs children’s songs
for kids of all ages. He travels all over Massachusetts, New England and the world with his acoustic guitar, bringing songs and smiles to children everywhere. Born in Massachusetts, Jeff Jam grew up watching Sesame Street, reading Dr. Seuss, and listening to The Beatles. Three of his favorite things are books, music and baseball. When he gets to sing Take Me Out To The Ballgame in a library, Jeff is in heaven.Jeff Jam’s debut CD, "Grin Happy Goofy Style," is now available. Containing 16 fun tunes (classic kids songs and originals) you will find yourself singing and dancing along, and playing it again…and again…and again! He is now working on his second CD, "Elephant Shoes!" Jeff leads a Sing-A-Long every Thursday morning from 11–11:30, at theStella Bella toy store in Porter Square,Cambridge. CHECK OUT THE MUSIC OF JEFF JAM!

PARENTS' PRAISE FOR JEFF!


Portraiture by Photographer Michael Manning

Krissy Price comes from Boise, Idaho, where she grew up performing music from a very early age. She started her first band at the age of 8, and has been an avid performer ever since. Through high school and college, she participated in many plays and musicals, and developed a love of musical theater. When she’s not teaching at Groovy Baby Music, she works as a private music instructor in voice and piano, teaching all ages and abilities. Krissy has her BA in Vocal Performance from Albertson College of Idaho. She was also awarded the Jazz Vocalist of the Year there in 2006. She moved to Boston in the fall of 2006 to begin graduate work at Boston Conservatory for voice. She also works as a Music Director for Reunion Church in downtown Boston, and in the evenings, sings in an acoustic band called Tin Can Tele. They frequently perform around Boston, Cape Cod and parts of New Hampshire and are currently putting together an EP to be released. Krissy loves that she spends her day surrounded by music and children, and is thrilled to be a part of the Groovy Baby Music Family!

PARENTS PRAISE FOR KRISSY!


Portraiture by Photographer Michael Manning

Laetitia Brundage, MT-BC, a Boston native, is the youngest of seven children who grew up with music all around her! Whether it was one of her siblings singing, playing the piano or bass or her dad singing gregorian chant, music has always played a huge roll in her life! She began playing piano and singing at a very young age, and continued her music studies in college as a both a vocal performance and music therapy major at Marylhurst University in Oregon. During school, she participated in numerous practicums at various settings, including a preschool, and a 6 month internship at Shriners Hospitals for Children at Boston. She is a board certified music therapist, specializing in working with individuals with special needs. She has worked at Manchester Community Music School in New Hampshire, providing both 1:1 and group sessions for children with disabilities, including autism. Currently, she provides group music therapy sessions for the "L.A.B.B.B. Collaborative," specifically their elementary autism and Life Skills programs. She has had experience working with children of all ages with varying abilities, and is excited to bring her music therapy experience into the groovy baby music classroom! Outside of music therapy, she is a professional musician who writes, sings and plays piano for the local Boston band, Tik Tok. She looks forward to the wonderful experience of helping your children discover the amazing world of music! Check out Laetitia's band on facebook

PARENT'S PRAISE FOR LAETITIA!


Portraiture by Photographer Michael Manning

Barbara Brousal is a singer and songwriter who recorded and toured for seven years with the family folk band, Dan Zanes and Friends. Her original composition, “Queremos Bailar,” appears on their Grammy nominated album House Party. She has also released three CDs of original material, Breathing Down Your Neck (‘96), Pose While It Pops (‘00), and Just About Perfect (‘02). Barbara taught Spanish for 12 years in New York City before moving to Massachusetts. She now lives in Newton with her harmonica playing daughter, drum playing step-daughter and banjo learning husband. CHECK OUT BARBARA's MUSIC HERE!
PARENTS PRAISE FOR BARBARA


Portraiture by Photographer Michael Manning

Music has been a part of Ashley's life for as long as she can remember. Growing up on Long Island, she would watch musicals and Disney movies, learning the songs and singing them in front of anyone who would listen. Ashley started writing songs of her own while she was still a small child. She went to Berklee College of Music and released her album, "Hear Me Out", before graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Songwriting. Ashley spent a few years in Nashville, Tennessee and signed with SESAC as one of their writers within weeks of her arrival. When Ashley isn't teaching for Groovy Baby Music, you'll find her attending Music Together classes with her son Shane. Ashley loves being on "both sides of the guitar", leading families in musical play and participating as Shane's mommy! You can also find Ashley working on her next album, blogging on her website, leading worship for the children at her church, and trying to raise awareness about Mercy Ministries- a non-profit organization that helps young girls find freedom from addictions, eating disorders, self-harm, and abuse. Ashley has been a proud partner of Mercy Ministries since 2010. Check out Ashley's music at www.ashleyfarrellmusic.com

PARENS PRAISE FOR ASHLEY


Portraiture by Photographer Michael Manning

Bridget Curzi has always valued music in her life, and loves sharing it with children.
A graduate of UVM in Communications, she also studied Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music.
As a Music Specialist at Brimmer & May School, she spent her Summer leading musical lessons for children age 3-10, formulating her own lesson plans, and musical games, to keep learning fun. She also an ambassador for the organization Autism Speaks, and was a Preschool Instructional Assistant for a 3 year old autistic boy, where she used music, drama and dance to promote imaginative play and learning. Bridget has been a featured soloist and section leader at St. John's Methodist Church in Watertown, and currently plays fiddle and guitar in a cover band, with her dad! She is happy to be teaching Music Together classes with GroovyBabyMusic and the joy of music that she shares with her classes, make her an asset to our school!

Portraiture By Photographer Michael Manning

Rae Thomas is a professional vocalist & songwriter in the greater Boston area. Having both parents as professional musicians, music played a major role in Rae's childhood. She started singing in church at a young age it was there that her passion to encourage and inspire others through music was first born. By the time Rae was a teenager she was writing and performing music regularly in her church as well as the local Charleston, South Carolina music scene. IN the fall of 2006, Rae attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA on a vocal scholarship, where she was able to study and perform with some of the best singers and musicians in the music industry. In addition to studying at Berklee, Rae developed as a community outreach leader, spending two semesters in the Berklee City Music program teaching individual and group voice lessons at the Boys and Girls Club in Dorchester, MA. Currently Rae is performing over 200 dates a year with premier Boston-based dance band Project DCQ. She continues to inspire and develop the musical abilities in children of all ages through private instruction in guitar, piano, and voice. Rae's commitment to children's education and musical talent make her a perfect addition to our GroovyBabyMusic teaching team! CHECK OUT RAE'S MUSIC HERE!

Portraiture By Photographer Michael Manning

Madeleine (Maddie) de Matteis Welch is the founder/creator of CANTA Y BAILA CONMIGO™ our Spanish music and movement program for children! She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Early on in life she developed her interest in music, theatre and languages. Maddie obtained her B.A. in Comparative Literature from Princeton University and her Masters in Bilingual Education from Boston University. She then worked as a bilingual teacher at the preschool and elementary levels in Chelsea and Framingham, Massachusetts for over 10 years. During that time she performed with Soundstage7, a mixed-voice a cappella vocal band. Maddie is currently a registered Music Together™ instructor and teaches after school Spanish classes, in addition to CANTA Y BAILA CONMIGO™. She is the mother of two bilingual children ages 5 and 8. CANTA Y BAILA CONMIGO™ is the product of Maddie’s passion for music, her vocation as a teacher and her personal commitment to transmit her language and culture to the next generation. We are thrilled to have Maddie join the GroovyBabyMusic family!

María Florencia (Flor) teaches our CANTA Y BAILA CONMIGO™ program. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she grew up in a musical family, listening to tangos and folk music. Ever since she was a little girl Flor showed a special interest in instruments and music and started studying guitar at the age of 10. When she was 16 she decided that music was going to be her life and career and started studying voice at the conservatory. Later, she fell in love with the Cello and has been studying and playing Cello ever since. She is currently furthering her studies at the New England Conservatory’s school of continuing education.

Flor studied Music Therapy at the University of Buenos Aires. While studying, she worked as a music teacher at kindergartens and schools for disabled children. From all that wonderful experience she realized how much she loved music education and she started to understand music not only as a purely artistic expression but also as a creative and communicative activity that can improve the life of everyone who can experience it. That is why she loves sharing her passion for music with children.
Before coming to the U.S., Flor sang and played music with several choirs and folk bands. In the U.S. she has been teaching Spanish for children using music as a tool to engage them in the Latin American culture. She has worked for the past year as an intern and assistant in the Canta y Baila Conmigo™ program. You will hear Flor’s beautiful voice and instrumental accompaniment on several songs in the upcoming CANTA Y BAILA CONMIGO™ CD collections. She is a wonderful asset to our GroovyBabyMusic teaching staff!

Greg Nikitas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications/Media in 2008 and has been working with children of all ages for the past five years. He toured Massachusetts for three summers performing Aesop's Fables and the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales with the Central Mass Repertory Theatre as an actor, singer and dancer. Greg studied voice at the Indian Hill Music School. His life revolves around music and he plays professionally both as a solo acoustic artist and as a member of a rock band. Greg learned to play the guitar and drums early in life and currently teaches private guitar lessons and early childhood classes. He has been teaching Music Together and Rhythm Kids since 2009. He loves to provide interactive entertainment at birthday parties and has even performed for the players’ children during Red Sox games at Fenway Park. Greg's energy is contagious and inspires children to enjoy music as much as he does! GroovyBabyMusic is thrilled to have Greg join our team teaching Rhythm Kids!

Chris Belden grew up in Bethesda, Maryland and started his musical journey on the saxophone at nine years old. He studied at Berklee College of Music with renowned instrumentalists like Dino Govoni, Ricordo Monzon and David Fiucczyski. Chris plays saxophone, flute, and percussion for a wide variety of groups and organizations including; the Emerson College music theatre department, the Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Program for children with Down Syndrome and he performs locally with All of the Animals, the Gary Backstrom Band, the Grass Gypsys, and the Excited People. Chris is creative, fun and helps children discover their own creative energy! We are excited to have Chris teaching Rhythm Kids classes for GroovyBabyMusic!

Jennifer was diagnosed with Lupus at age 15 and depends on her daily yoga practice to keep free of arthritis. She also practiced yoga through her pregnancy (and credits pranayama for helping her make it through a 36 hour labor!). Jennifer majored in Women’s Studies at Mount Holyoke College and studied Homebirth Midwifery at Seattle Midwifery School. Prior to teaching yoga, Jennifer worked in non-for-profit women’s health care in both cities and rural areas. She is also a certified birth doula. She completed the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in autumn of 2005 and the 200 hour Body Awakening Yoga Teacher Training in the summer of 2009 and is currently working towards 500 hour certification with Radiant Child Yoga. Jennifer has been teaching adults in the Boston area for the past 6 years and is excited to offer the wonderful benefits of yoga to children for GroovyBabyMusic. Jen is also our administrative assistant and a vital part of the GroovyBabyMusic team. Having lived in New Jersey, New York, Cape Cod, Vermont, California, Maine and England she might be settled in Boston. She lives with her husband and daughter in Dorchester.