Music and Movement Classes for Toddlers and Young Children - Serving Alexandria,
Arlington, Falls Church, McLean, Great Falls, Reston and Vienna in Northern Virginia
"I love to teach. Most especially, I love to teach music." Janette Smith holds a BA in Music Performance with a specialization in Voice from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, but her extensive musical talents extend well beyond! Her professional repertoire includes solo vocal performance, piano accompaniment, choir direction, music direction, transcription and arranging as well as teaching all ages in a classroom or private setting for voice and piano. "I feel that music can inspire us in a way that words alone cannot." Mrs. Smith brings a warm and positive effervescence to her teaching.
Panama-born Mariana Pino is passionate about teaching music because "music is a friend you always have with you!" A native Spanish speaker, Miss Mariana also speaks perfect English and is proficient in Italian. She has shared her great gifts for teaching in settings ranging from a foster home in Panama to a private music studios and college in the United States, from babies to adults and every age in between! She graduated Cum Laude from Shenandoah University with a Bachelor's degree in Voice Performance and then earned her Masters degree in Music Pedagogy from Catholic University.
Susan Hayes is a highly acclaimed
educator with 25 years of experience. This Teacher of the Year nominee
has lived and worked in 4 different states and 2 different countries,
and taught young children from diverse backgrounds in preschool
through 3rd grade. She holds a B.S. in Education from the University
of Nebraska, and has earned post-graduate credits from universities
in the various locations where she was stationed, adding to her
vast and worldly knowledge of current educational practices. Mrs.
Hayes has a great love of music, movement and literature, and particularly
enjoys sharing these interests with her students.
Coordinator, Training and Special Programs/ Webmaster
Katya Haines
is an alumnus and big fan of Classic Tales 'n Tunes! She and her daughter traveled an hour each way by car for three straight years, and have enjoyed every one of our teachers. In fact, according to Katya, "One of the best things about this program is that it doesn't matter which teacher you get because they're all great!" Katya holds a BS degree from the College of William and Mary and has worked professionally as a software and web developer. As Coordinator of Training and Special Programs, Katya is our "go-to" lady for educator workshops, special events and birthday parties. Thanks to her incredible technical proficiency, the versatile Katya doubles as our webmaster.
Founder/Director
Jody Katz is the creator
of Classic Tales ‘n Tunes, one of fastest growing adult/toddler programs
in the Washington D.C. area. Ms. Katz is a graduate of Cornell University
who has enjoyed years of private study in piano, guitar, voice and
dance. She has won rave reviews for her work teaching music and arts
enrichment in preschools and elementary schools, and directing children’s
musicals at Adventure Theatre. A respected authority on arts education,
her survey of research relating to music and education appeared in
the August 2006 issue of Washington Parent magazine. In 2008 and 2009 she published two multi-lingual books of classic songs, rhymes and activities for children based on the Classic Tales ‘n Tunes curriculum, which can be purchased through the Shop page on this website. She credits her wonderful
students, their parents and caretakers, past and present, for their
many wonderful contributions to the program.