All of our teachers are passionate about music and the development of children.
They create a fun, informal, social setting that spurs engagement and supports each child's musical development.
 | Kris Rice
Kris is the director of Music Together of Sea Cliff and has been teaching the program since 1998. She is Level I certified through the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, is Level I Orff certified and attends workshops and music related courses throughout the year. Kris believes that it is important to stay educated and challenged, and that a teacher never stops learning...especially from her own students! She has worked in the early childhood field since 1992. Kris grew up in a musically supportive household. There was always singing and dancing and she fondly remembers campfire singing. Music has always been her passion and was overjoyed to participate in Music Together® when her son was a toddler, and now enjoys class with her daughter. Her only regret is that she didn't know about the program when her son was younger! Kris loves to share this program with families and accompanies class with her guitar. She is continually inspired by the music making in her classes as well as with her husband, John, son Nicky, and daughter Summer, who reside in Sea Cliff. Kris is proud to offer a high quality program to her community that brings families together! |
 | Liz Stroppel
Liz has been on staff since the summer of 2005. She has acted in many musical theater productions in Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan and London. Liz also founded and directed the Bay Ridge Theater Project, an after school theater program for elementary thru middle school aged children for 6 years. Liz grew up in a family of six siblings that always sang together, whether on long car trips or at family parties. After participating in Music Together with her son Joe for 2 years, she completed the training in April 2005 to become a Registered Music Together teacher. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her love of music with other families, and still comes to classes with her son Joe,now 4 years old, both loving it more than ever! |
 | Maria Starace-Hiner
Maria has been on staff since the summer of 2006. She has a lifelong love of all music, and has been playing guitar since she was a child. In addition to playing in folk groups and performing in Community Theater productions in Queens, Maria spent many summers providing music for "Operation Fun", a recreational program for children and young adults with special needs. Maria grew up in a large family where making music was a part of everyday life. Her father, an accomplished guitarist, and her mom, an amazining violinist, were incredibly encouraging and supportive of all things musical. Maria's favorite memories are of sunday nights or "concert nights", when evreyone grabbed an instrument and played- guitar, mandolin,violin, and spoons for the youngest! Maria completed her training in December 2005 to become a Registered Music Together teacher. She also enjoys taking her 4 year old daughter to Music Together classes! Maria lives in Sea Cliff and carries on the familly music tradition with her husband Gerard and daughters, Alana and Sierra. She looks forward each week to extending her family tradition with her classes! |
Parents and Caregivers: The Real Teachers
You may wonder if you can help your child musically, especially if you don't feel that you yourself are musical. Parents and other primary caregivers are the most important influences in a child's musical life. If adults—regardless of ability—have fun making music, children will, too. Make the most of these special years by making music together.
