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All of our instructors are Registered or Certified Music Together® teachers who are passionate about music and the development of children. They create a fun, informal, musical experience that spurs engagement and supports each child's musical development.
Mary Thilleman
ÌPRESIDENT OF MERRY MUSIC MAKERS, INC.
Mary began teaching Music Together classes in the fall of 2001 and opened Merry Music Makers one year later. Mary holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Webster Conservatory in St. Louis where she took formal music training in voice, piano and dance and was a member of several choirs. As a Certified Music Together teacher, Mary has taught the Music Together curriculum for the Sherwood Conservatory of Music, where she recently held the position of Early Childhood Program Manager. She has presented workshops on early childhood music education at Google, St. Joseph's Hospital, the Park Ridge Public Library and Columbia College.
Julie DeGrandpre
ÌINSTRUCTOR
Julie holds a BA in Music Performance from Laval University, Quebec. After touring the world with Cirque du Soleil for more than 3 years as a general stage manager and back-up singer, Julie decided to settle in Chicago and is dedicated to sharing her passion for music with kids of all ages. She became a registered Music Together teacher in Spring 2007. A native French Speaker, Julie also teaches at Lycee Francais and Alliance Francaise de Chicago. Julie has played piano for more than 25 years and plays guitar in her class. Her contagious enthusiasm and her love for kids will get you on your feet!
Carey Goldenberg
ÌINSTRUCTOR
Carey Goldenberg, a native of Tampa, Florida, graduated from the University of Miami Frost School of Music with a BM in Vocal Performance. While pursuing her degree, she performed with Frost Opera Theatre in leading roles such as Polly in Benjamin Britten’s The Beggar’s Opera, and Mag in Richard Wargo’s new opera, Ballymore: Part 1 Winners. Carey participated in the Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute in 2010 and currently performs with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and the Chicago Choral Artists. She became a Registered Music Together teacher in August 2011 and also teaches early childhood music with the Suzuki-Orff School of Music. In addition to singing classial music, Carey enjoys accompanying herself on guitar to original arrangements of folk, pop, and jazz music and is thrilled to call Chicago her new home.
Maria A. Gonzalez-Hussey
ÌINSTRUCTOR
For Maria, singing and sharing music with kids has become a passion. She was born in Venezuela to a large family and came to the United States to pursue an education in music. Maria has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory from The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and a Master’s degree in Music Theory from Northwestern University. She has also worked with Language Stars teaching Spanish to children. She completed the Music Together training in May of 2011, years after falling in love with Music Together’s program when she took her own children to their classes. Her children are being raised bilingually and have a passion for music themselves.
Patty Malten
ÌINSTRUCTOR
Patty has been singing jazz, blues, country, pop, and rock ‘n roll professionally for almost 30 years. She performed in her own band, Sister Swing, for 14 years; has sung back-up vocals for entertainers such as Koko Taylor and Bo Diddley; and has been involved in numerous musical projects. Her online business, www.mynativejewelry.com, sells authentic, handcrafted Native American jewelry. Patty became a Certification Level I Music Together teacher in 2011 and also teaches our I Can Sing! curriculum for 4-6 year olds. Her energy and love for her students and the Music Together program fill her classes with fun and joy! Patty plays the Congas and other percussion instruments.
