Lynn Kleiner – founder of Music Rhapsody
Lynn Kleiner has been making music almost her entire life. She grew up in a musical family in Illinois and went on to major in music at Eastern Illinois University. She continued with graduate studies at Arizona State University and a master certification in Orff Schulwerk from Memphis State University.
In 1978, she started teaching music in public schools. Lynn then took her passion for music and translated it into a ground-breaking venture when she founded Music Rhapsody in 1983. The innovative program for babies and toddlers lets parents and their children actively make music on real instruments. Today, the program accommodates children up to grade 8.
All this came about when Lynn turned challenging circumstances into a winning situation. When she moved to California, the state’s school cutbacks due to Proposition 13 made it difficult to find employment as a music teacher in the early 80s. So she decided to take her love of music, love of teaching, and love of children, and look for a way to combine them all in an innovative and creative way. The result? Music Rhapsody.
- Lynn is the driving force behind the growth of Music Rhapsody and Invests her time and energy to help promote early childhood music education. She lives in Manhattan Beach, California with her husband Steve, and children Martha and Lucas.
- Lynn is a frequent clinician at national and international workshops and state chapters for the American Orff Schulwerk Association, Music Educators National Conference, and the American Music Therapy Conference.
- A popular presenter for school districts, preschools, adult schools, and parent organizations as well as a guest lecturer at UCLA and USC.Conducts workshops for music educators across the U.S. and internationally.With her partners REMO and Alfred Publishing, Lynn has developed her own line of children’s instruments, music DVDs, CDs, and songbooks.Endorsements and awards: Lynn’s DVDs are endorsed by The Dove Foundation and Kids First. The In All Kinds of Weather, Kids Make Music! DVD has earned The Dove Foundation’s and National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval. Three of her kits – Babies Make Music, Kid Make Music, and Kids Make Music Too! have earned the prestigious Oppenheim Best Toy Award.
Jessica Tunick—Music Rhapsody Boston’s Director and Teacher
Jessica Tunick is a licensed and certified Music Rhapsody teacher who has been working with Lynn Kleiner and her program for the past 7 years with children ages 3 months to 7 years old. She believes very strongly in the tremendous positive impact of early childhood music education and in the Orff-Schewlwerk philosophy and specifically Music Rhapsody’s approach. With her rich background in opera, musical theater, dance, and voice-teaching, Jessica provides a joy-filled and creative environment for young children to explore and develop music skills and contribute their own creative ideas all while building confidence, self awareness, and a deep love and appreciation for music.
As difficult as it was to leave behind her 150 little students and their devoted families, Jessica is thrilled to be the first Music Rhapsody licensee and founder and director of the east coast branch of Music Rhapsody. She offers group classes (with parents) for infants through 4-5 year olds, as well as preschool classes.
For information or to sign up for current classes offerings, or to start a class at your school, please contact Chris Vuk at School of Groove
