All weekday morning classes are taught by licensed Kindermusik instructor and studio director, Jen Ludgin. Jen has been teaching Kindermusik since 2008, and has been the studio owner since 2013 -- and loves every minute of it! Jen is a graduate of Cornell University and is a mother of 2 college-aged boys. Jen has experience in a cappella singing, dance, musical theater and had classical piano training through her teenage years. She sang with the Sound of New England Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, for 15 years. Jen's musical theater experience includes playing Rosie in West Hartford Community Theater's production of Mamma Mia; Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and Olive's mom in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (both through the Mandell JCC's J Center Stage productions), as well as several other musicals and plays with West Hartford Community Theater. Currently she is playing Bea Bottom in Something Rotten with the Theatre Guilde of Simsbury, and although rehearsals have just begun, is so excited for the November performances. In summer 2017, Jen won a contest to sing the national anthem at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. A definite highlight of her life!
Our Saturday classes are taught by licensed Kindermusik educator, Jennifer Murabito-LaForge. Jennifer has been teaching Kindermusik since 2017. She is a graduate from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, earning both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music education as a voice major. Jennifer taught elementary and middle school general music and chorus in the Massachusetts public schools for 7 years before moving to Connecticut. She has also been teaching private voice lessons for over 15 years. Jennifer has had numerous performance experiences throughout her career. She has been a member of the Sound of New England chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International. A highlight performance for Jen was when she sang as part of a chorus group at Carnegie Hall, NYC, debuting the choral piece "Te Deum" by composer Mark Hayes. Jennifer absolutely loves being a mom to her 3 boys, ages preschool through elementary school. And she brings that love and enthusiasm for children and learning to all her Kindermusik classes. Jennifer can't wait to see you in class!
Our newest instructor, Joanna Diagle, will be leading our Saturday classes this fall. A Farmington Valley native, Joanna has been performing since childhood in a variety of choirs and ensembles. Both a singer and songwriter, she plays piano, flute, guitar and percussion. Her education background includes many different volunteer teaching positions, as well as presenting library storytimes for babies and toddlers. Teaching Kindermusik is a naturual extension of her passion for music and early childhood education. A mother of three high school and college-aged kids, she brings experiential knowledge about child development to each class. She is looking forward to providing education and support for caregivers of little ones while fostering community and connection.