May 2005

Erin Lee Kelly began performing as a teenager in Kingston, Ontario, moving to New York to study at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Upon graduation she spent several years as an actress and choreographer, performing in musicals, plays, and films before choosing to focus on music and theatre for children. Her first CD, Someone’s Gotta Wanna Play, recorded with Marci Appelbaum, was awarded Best Recording for Younger Children, 2005 by the Children’s Music Web. Their wry lyrics and layered harmonies garnered them widespread attention as "The Indigo Girls of childhood music" (WLUW-FM 88.7, Chicago IL.) Their follow up CD, Snowdance, was debuted on Rosie O’Donnell’s R Family Cruise to Alaska, and went on to win two ASCAP Awards for excellence in writing and the FamilyChoice Award for 2006. Erin Lee was recently elected to The Children’s Music Network Board of Directors. She can currently be found performing family concerts throughout Manhattan fronting Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band (www.erinleemusic.com).

Shaina Murphy, passionately describes her two favorite things as being music and children. She earned a BA in Voice Performance from Syracuse University and a Masters of Music in musical theater from the Boston Conservatory. She has studied voice, piano, acting and dance extensively. Shaina completed her training with the Center for Music and Young Children in 2005.

Shaina has performed in musical theater and opera productions, as well as doing extensive concert and church work around the US. When not performing or teaching Music Together, Shaina can be found at the Music Together in the City office making sure all is running smoothly!

Matty Stuart is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Studying at CAP21, he focused his training in musical theater. Since graduating, he has performed and sung all over the country and even in Japan! In addition to his acting and singing career, he has been a professional Disc Jockey for the past 10 years. Working at some of the premier venues and clubs in Manhattan, the Hamptons, Connecticut, and beyond, he has played for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate events, and a vast amount of children's parties. Matty is thrilled to join Music Together where he can combine his love for singing and performing with his experience in playing music and working with children.

Music plays a major role in Peter's life. He has been playing guitar for 15 years in bands you've definitely never heard of, as well as enjoying a storied solo career, full of legendary performances which only his two young boys were fortunate enough to have witnessed. He also enjoys acting and, as long as his body holds out, a good game of basketball. For three years Peter has watched his children thrive and grow musically in the Music Together environment. And he looks forward to watching other children, new or old to the program, thrive in that very same way.

Having never quite abandoned the kid in him, Nikolai Moderbacher's enthusiasm in class is usually only superceded by that of a child or two. His earliest memories of music involve sitting on the back of his mother's bike, singing folk songs. He now plays guitar and percussion, dabbles at the ukulele, and has always enjoyed "hammin' it up", as his wife Pyeng kindly puts it.

He discovered his love and talent for making music with children while teaching Bilingual Kindergarten in the Bronx through Teach For America. Ever since then it's been "a moo-moo here and a quack-quack there". This is especially true since Nikolai became a father in March, 2004 to his lovely daughter Luna. Having a child has taught him a great deal about the depth of interaction adults can have with infants and toddlers, particularly through music.

Over the past two years, Nikolai has also completed an MFA degree in Wood/Furniture from California College of the Arts (CCA). Not surprisingly, the concepts of play and experimentation feature prominently in his artwork, echoing the innocence and honesty of children. But, as Nikolai proclaims:"Gallery owner's cheeks usually aren't chubby enough and I can never get them to sing "gaa gaa, goo goo" with the proper spirit!"

Jessie White is a guitarist, singer and songwriter who has recorded and performed throughout NYC. Being the proud mother of a 6 month old baby girl, Jessie is presently working on writing and recording her first children's album. Teaching Music Together classes over the past several years has allowed Jessie to share her love for music with many children and their families. With a degree in Theater and a background in dance, Jessie brings alot of creativity and movement to her classes. Her loving and energetic spirit generates an environment full of fun and wonder!

Some of Maureen's fondest childhood memories are of singing and dancing at home with her family to everything from nursery rhymes to the Bee Gees. This early love of music led her to join a children's performance group where she would stay for over 10 years as a student, performer and teacher. Having already completed over 40 musical theatre and cabaret performances she went on to study musical theatre and receive a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from the Catholic University of America. Those college years afforded her the opportunity to continue her journey as a performer, as well as an instructor, working with children in both musical and educational environments. She has since enjoyed a successful performance career as a member of Actor's Equity Association, and also worked for several years in the Broadway casting industry. After performing for over 20 years, Maureen is thrilled to join the Music Together community and return to her passion of instilling a love of music in children and families.

Born into a musical family in the Midwest, Erin knew early on that singing was going to be her focus in life.   She also spent years studying piano, oboe and flute until she went to Ohio State for vocal performance and music education. After graduating she taught general and vocal music in the Baltimore County school system until she decided to enroll in the Songwriting program at the Berklee College of Music. Once she relocated to Boston, Erin began working as a recording artist for professional studios, sang in a variety of groups including Group Saloum, a Senegalese mbalax band and performed in many private events throughout New England and across the country. Recently she has performed in some of Boston’s most prestigious clubs such as Ryles Jazz Club, the Lizard Lounge, and the Beehive. Her album with her group, Erin Blatti and the Circuit will be released in Spring 2010.

Throughout her career as professional singer, Erin has taught private piano and voice throughout the Boston area. She began her work as a Music Together teacher two years ago and has loved working with the children and playing guitar on a regular basis! She is very excited about relocating to New York City and getting to know a whole new set of kids!

Alicia Morrissey is a music teacher and jazz vocalist and has taught music to children of all ages and backgrounds at both private music studios and in the NYC public schools.  She has a Certificate in Creative Arts Therapy, focusing in Music Therapy from The New School University and holds a B.A. from Penn State. With her training in Music Therapy, she has worked with special needs children to help them express themselves and develop their cognitive, motor and behavioral skills using the power of music.  Alicia began her own music studies at the age of 8, playing the violin in school orchestra.  Today, with several years of training as a jazz vocalist, she has appeared at numerous venues in NYC, including The Cotton Club and the Nuyorican Poet’s Café. As a Music Together teacher, Alicia shares her passion for music with children and their families and loves bringing the joy of creativity and fun of musical learning into their lives. 

Suzanne is a professional, award-winning vocalist. She obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with an emphasis in Voice and Acting from The Boston Conservatory. She is a proud graduate of LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and the Performing Arts in Manhattan. Suzanne studied voice and performed in Italy at the Spoleto Vocal Arts Festival, was a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, a soloist at the Rose Theatre in Jazz at Lincoln Center & at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall. She toured the country with the national tour of Ragtime and Cameron Machintosh's Oliver!. She has been nominated for a MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award for Best Female Cabaret Debut and performs regularly at the Metropolitan Room. She has been seen in other Manhattan Clubs as well, such as Birdland, The Duplex, and Caroline's Comedy Club. Suzanne is proud to be teaching for Music Together.