A little note about us
We are educators dedicated to providing high-quality music and art education! With over thirty-five years of combined education experience, we love working together to create a joy-filled music classroom.
Emily Rojas
Making music has always been Emily’s passion! After double majoring in music education and music performance she went on to teach elementary students for 8 years in Chicago. After receiving her Kodály certification from DePaul University she is working towards her Orff certificate as well. She loves teaching music and creating a joy-filled classroom for students to create and grow! Emily currently lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.
Stefany Friend
Stefany has always enjoyed making music! With certifications in Montessori and Early Childhood education, she worked for seven years at a preschool Montessori school and loved incorporating music into the daily rhythm of her classroom. It was a joy to see how music was a natural way children were able to learn while simultaneously being silly, having fun, and connecting with one another! She is excited to continue to teach and make music! Stefany currently resides with her husband and two children (plus a dog!) in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Jessica Kent
Jessica Kent is an artist working in Chicago. She graduated with a BFA in Painting from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 2014. She adores helping children find their own creative voices and has taught after school art programs at various places including a Juvenile Detention Center, a program for kids with learning differences, a children’s home and private lessons. She believes that art stimulates early childhood development in unique and fun ways and is eager to share her passion for all things color with kids.
Gretchen Saflarski
Making music has been a part of Gretchen’s life for as long as she can remember. Gretchen received her BA in Music Education from Trinity International University in Deerfield and taught elementary music in the public schools in Lake Zurich, IL for 11 years. She has also had experience teaching chorus in the public schools and kids choir at church. Gretchen has enjoyed teaching private piano lessons for 20 years. Gretchen lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
Ingrid Flechtenmacher
Ingrid graduated from North Park University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and has been involved in musical and theatrical education ever since. She loves helping children open up and express themselves through the arts and beyond. When she isn’t busy teaching and lesson planning, she’s relaxing and singing a variety of musical songs and covers. She currently resides in Chicago and enjoys visiting its many cafes and walking along the lakefront.
Julie Maslog
Julie is an enthusiastic music teacher committed to fostering students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. Julie began her musical journey in the Philippines where she completed a bachelor’s degree in music education from Silliman University; she continued her education in the States at the University of North Dakota where she received her master’s in music education. She has 14 years of teaching experience and recently relocated to the Chicagoland area. Julie is excited to continue teaching music in IL!
Maria Deguzman
Maria has been playing the piano since the age of 6 and has been teaching piano for students of all ages for the past 26 years. She received a degree in psychology and art from Northern Illinois University and seeing the therapeutic effects of music on abused children from an orphanage that she worked at for a year, she was inspired to start graduate courses in music therapy. She has also been a substitute teacher for about six years in various schools. Maria enjoys seeing the happiness and excitement in her students as they are playing or creating music! When she is not teaching, she finds enjoyment in singing and is a singer in her church’s praise band and choir! She also loves dancing and has been Zumba certified for almost 10 years! She adores her two children and loves her time with them; especially when sharing music and going on nature walks with them!
Melissa Fritz
Michelle loves to create and share music. She has been teaching music to children for the past 13 years in many different facets, including private lessons, children’s musicals, and children’s choirs. She graduated in 2011 with a B.M. in Music Performance from Simpson College. She loves seeing kids explore and find enjoyment through music.