Heart & Beat Music - Our Teachers

All of our teachers undergo an intensive training through Music Together^® LLC and the Princeton Center for Music and Young Children to become registered Music Together teachers. We have all completed an apprenticeship and continue to receive the latest research from the field with ongoing Music Together workshops before the start of each new session.We are specially trained to create a safe atmosphere where you can happily join in, experiment, and even get silly -- all while strengthening the bond with your child. We are all passionate about music and the development of young children, and hope to inspire a whole new generation of music-makers who can sing in tune, move in rhythm and participate with joy and confidence as they create music with family and friends throughout their lives. We create a fun, informal, social setting that spurs engagement and supports each child's musical development. We love what we do!

		Siobhan O'Malley, Director Siobhan (Center Director/Owner of Heart and Beat Music) is delighted to be part of the Music Together family! Siobhan grew up in a musical family that used to crowd around a piano and sing together (no lie!). Music was as much a part of her childhood as eating and breathing and for that she thanks her lucky stars! Her family unearthed a recording of some songs she wrote as a kid, including the Casio-backed songs "France Is Good For You" and "Puff Pies (Any Kind You Want)". She studied classical piano for over 10 years, and then made her way into learning guitar, banjo, and ukelele (in that order). After receiving her B.A. in theatre from James Madison University, she worked as an actor while also discovering her passion for music-making. As a singer-songwriter, Siobhan has released three albums ("Permanent Markers", "Alibi Bye", and "Let's Get Ahead of Ourselves, Baby!") which are all available on iTunes. Siobhan regularly plays her music in venues in NYC and has toured the US as well. You can see her live or hear her "grown up" songs at www.siobhanomalley.com. She and her cousins (The O'Malley Family Band) are also the resident house band at the "Mortified" shows in Brooklyn every month. She and her husband, Ben, love making up goofy songs for their daughter, Beatrice and son, Ernie (who is often Siobhan's TA in class). She is passionate about the Music Together program and loves making music together with all of you!

Annette Cepero-Jimenez Annette Cepero-Jimenez is a simultaneous bilingual. Born from a Cuban father and a Colombian mother, she embraces her deep latin musical roots. Professionally, Annette is a bilingual speech language pathologist. She received her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Teachers College Columbia University. Annette has worked with families and their young children through private agencies for Early Intervention since 2008. As a life long lover of dance and music, Annette has played the flute since elementary school, sang chorus (in church and school) and gospel choir at Columbia University. Annette has 4 children, ages 19, 17, 4 and 1. She started attending Music Together classes with her daughter over 2 years ago and immediately fell in love. Annette is super excited to be part of the Music Together and Canta y Baila Conmigo^® family and in bringing families together through music and movement.

		Briana Brett Briana is a proud member of Actors Equity Association, a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and has an extensive background in child education, music, and performance. After college, she spent many years inhabiting a role close to her heart and soul as Patsy Cline, in Always, Patsy Cline, having the pleasure of performing it in multiple productions across the country throughout her professional career. As the wife of a fellow musician and performer, and a mother of a two year old, she is passionate about the effect music can have on developing minds. She is so excited to be a part of this inspiring program and looks forward to making Music Together with you!

Kirsten Hopkins Kirsten has worked as a professional actor and singer for more than a decade in regional theaters around the country. She grew up in Southern California, where she attended Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, and later lived in Seattle where she got her BFA in Theater from Cornish College of the Arts. She has many years of experience as a nanny and babysitter (and has attended many Music Together classes here in NYC with kid-in-tow!) and has also worked as an acting teacher for kids. She is a member of Actors Equity Association and very happy to be joining the Music Together community. You can go to her website, www.kirstenhopkins.com, to read more about her acting career and see pictures of her being very goofy, which is one of her areas of expertise! Music Together has awarded her Certification Level I status for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education.

		Lavita Shaurice Lavita is proud to be part of Music Together; first, as the parent of a Music Together baby, and now as a teacher! Lavita is an actor who has been working professionally in and around New York City for a number of years. She hails from Philadelphia where she received her B.A. in Theatre from Temple University. In addition to regional work in theatre, she has also toured the U.S. with the National Theatre of London's production of "War Horse". Besides her love of acting, Lavita has a great love for children and has spent time as a day care teacher in New York City as Philadelphia as well as a babysitter and nanny. Lavita is looking forward to bringing her love of fun, play, and a little goofiness to each and every Music Together experience.

Melissa Stylianou Melissa is an accomplished jazz vocalist, recording artist, and educator, originally from Toronto, Canada. Here in NYC, she has performed at venues such as Birdland, Jazz Standard and Carnegie Hall; and has released 5 solo jazz albums. Most recently, she has been performing in NYC nad touring all over the country with her 3-part harmony group Duchess; and has been nominated multiple times in the Rising Starr Jazz Vocalist category in the Downbeat Magazine Critics and Readers Polls. She can also be seen on Canadian television on the hit kids' TV show "Foursquare." An experienced educator, Melissa has taught at National Music Camp, Humber College and University of Toronto; teaches voice privately and is a graduate of Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto with a degree in acting. She has been teaching Music Together since 2007 and is very happy to be a part of the MT community in Riverdale. Melissa plays guitar and has her Music Together Certification Level 1.

Sandy Wilson

Sandra Dianne (Sandy) is a New York based actor. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Music Theater from Westminster Choir College, as well as an MFA in Acting from the Actor's Studio Drama School. Sandy has also had the privilege of singing at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center here in New York, and at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia with the Westminster Symphonic Choir. In addition to being a Music Together teacher, she also teaches preballet at Ballet Academy East on the Upper East side. Sandy is very excited to make music with the families of Heart & Beat Music! www.sandradiannewilson.com