A LOVE OF MUSIC, A LOVE OF CHILDREN
Why Kathy Eckhaus founded Music Together^® in SusquehannaValley in 2007

"I grew up in a musical family. My grandmother played the piano, my mother and aunt played piano and organ, and my brothers and I studied piano and other instruments. There was always music in our home. I played the flute in the concert and marching bands and taught myself to play enough guitar to accompany campfire singing. I was in several choruses and participated in musical theater.

I remember a visit to my grandmother when I was a little girl. I asked her what heaven was like and she told me it was anything I wanted it to be. At that time I'm sure my heaven included puppies, kittens, horses and chocolate sundaes. But sometime in my adult life I realized that my heaven had changed and had become music and babies. 

At a family gathering, my daughter-in-law gave a rave review of the music program she attended with our grandbaby in Colorado. That was the first time I heard of Music Together^®. It piqued my interest and I started to think about what a perfect fit such a career would be for me.

The first step to teaching Music Together was to attend teacher training at the Music Together Headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey. With years of early childhood experience and a master's degree in education, I admit I went to the training with a bit of skepticism. But I told myself that the worst that would happen is that I'd spend some time and money to learn a few new songs. Instead I was blown away with the research-based professionalism of Music Together. This was a program that I could embrace wholeheartedly and that is what I did. I am convinced that Music Together is the "gold standard" of early childhood music education and I am proud to be a part of it."

THE NEXT RIGHT THING
Why Gloria Mann became owner of Music Together^® in Susquehanna Valley in 2023.

"I first heard about Music Together from a fellow music teacher in the district where I was teaching elementary general music. She had recently been on maternity leave and took her baby daughter to classes and loved it. She said "You'd really like it! The music is actually good!" And knowing she was as much a kids' music snob as I am, I took her recommendation seriously!

When our family decided to move to the west shore in 2022 where I'd be transitioning to life as a stay at home mom of 2, I knew I wanted to participate in a Music Together class if there was one around, and I found Kathy! My two daughters and I started attending in Fall 2022 and very early on I thought "This would be a great job!"

Not long after, Kathy sent an email to parents looking for potential teachers and I responded enthusiastically! Then she shared that she was hoping to retire soon and looking for a new owner/director. I had never considered being a business owner, but after discussing it as a couple, we realized this could be a really perfect next step for our family and for me! So here we are! 

I love Music Together's commitment to research and to what is actually best for kids and parents to help their kids develop musically- as is their birthright to do! As I learned more and more about this organization, their values, their support for parents and teachers, and their commitment to excellence and fun, I'm SO happy my friend ever mentioned Music Together to me in the first place! It's a huge part of my life now! Thanks, Nicole!"