An Early Childhood music educator since 1999, Christy Zarlengo has been the director of Urban Music Together^® since 2001, and founded the Children's Music Center of J.P. in 2006. Christy has taught piano lessons, Suzuki piano and early childhood music classes at ZUMIX, Brookline Music School and the New School in Cambridge. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and is an alumnus of the Berklee College of Music, where she studied voice, piano and songwriting. Christy has also studied at the summer Dalcroze Institute at the Longy School of Music, and has completed Certification training with the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ. She recently completed a full-length CD of "grown-up songs," which you can listen to at Christyzarlengo.com, and she is co-creator and featured teacher in "Little Virtuoso: Music's Everywhere," an interactive music DVD/CD for children infancy-5 years. Available at: cdbaby.com/littlevirtuoso

Katie Anderson is a pianist, music teacher, composer and aspiring trumpet player from Brooklyn, New York. She graduated in 2005 with a degree in Music Education from the University of Rhode Island. Since that time, Katie's love of music and teaching has taken her to many different places, from a little piano studio in Rhode Island, all the way to Japan. Before relocating to Boston, Katie spent a year teaching elementary general music at the Harlem Promise Academy in New York City.
She has many diverse hobbies, but music, by far, is number one. Katie looks forward to each and every opportunity she has to share and spread that love of music with others.

Claudia Eliaza has training in providing music therapy for individuals and groups in a wide range of settings and ages, including: adult day treatment, children with special needs, elders with dementia, children with Autism, children/youth with life threatening illness and typical students in enrichment programs. She has worked in residential settings and specialized social service centers, daycare and afterschool programs. Claudia graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with a Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy. She is also a jazz vocalist and performs in Boston and internationally.

A native of New Orleans, Miriam relocated to Boston in 2000 to attend Boston University, graduating with a degree in Sociology. Hoping that music could be a part of her future career as well, Miriam continued her education at the Berklee College of Music, studying Music Therapy. She currently works with children in the Boston area who have a range of special needs, and will receive her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy in June, 2008. She will practice as a part-time Music Therapist in the fall, as well as continue to teach Music Together at the Children's Music Center. Miriam currently lives in Jamaica Plain where she enjoys JP Licks icecream, long walks in the Arboretum, and spending time with her cat, Calliope.

Martin Isaac spent his early childhood years on the Caribbean island of Montserrat where he was submersed and entranced by the steel drum rhythms. That love has stuck with him and he has studied hand drumming and West African rhythms and instruments, including the Gyil, a Ghanaian Xylophone, from masters all over the world. A Massachusetts certified early childhood educator, Martin has been working with young children for almost a decade. He brings his love for music and kids together at RhythmKids and is a real life "Pied Piper!"

Lisa Keefe has been teaching piano and music theory to students of all ages for over ten years. From an early age, she has had a love of music that was instilled in her from her mother and grandmother who also play the piano and enjoy singing. Music is a part of her everyday life and she enjoys sharing this gift with others so they can reach their full creative potential. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Lisa graduated with honors from U. Mass Amherst with a degree in Psychology and Communications, while studying piano application and theory under Russian pianist Lucy Portnov. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed touring the world and submersing herself in a variety of cultures and languages. Lisa also spends her time volunteering in the community, traveling to Europe and South America, continuing to gain inspiration from plays on Broadway and opera, and cooking new and exciting dishes.

Marta Lauria is a musician, singer, composer and music teacher. She came to the U.S. from her native Italy in 2007, on a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, where she received her degree in Professional Music, with a focus on vocal studies. Back in Italy, in addition to receiving a degree from University of Arts in Theatre History, Marta taught music for 12 years, working with all ages and levels, and in a variety of settings including public schools and private music schools. She draws upon Orff, Dalcroze, Kodaly and Gordon teaching methods and philosophies, which has led to her own unique teaching style. Marta is currently interning at the Children's Music Center of J.P., and will complete the Music Together national training workshop in early April. She will join the CMCJP staff as a Music Together teacher in April 2010, and is already teaching the Young Musicians program for 4-5 year-olds.

Ofelia Martinez was born in Mexico City. From an early age, she showed a deep interest in music, particularly the violin. In 1983, she attended the National Conservatory of Mexico and received her B.A. in music in 1995. From there, she travelled to Vienna, Austria to study at the Hochschule, where she received her Masters degree. As a performer, Ofelia has performed with many orchestras in Austria, Israel, Mexico and the U.S. She is currently principal second violin in the Waltham Orchestra. She has always been a teacher, and has used the Suzuki method for much of her teaching. She currently lives in Lexington with her husband and 7 year-old daughter.

Jennie Mayer has had the pleasure of working with children in some form or another for the past 10 years, and recently celebrated her one year anniversary teaching for Pocket Full of Tales Theatre Company. With Pocket Full of Tales, Jennie teaches art, drama and music themed creativity classes for preschoolers, musical theatre and advanced acting classes for kids ages 4-12, and runs theatre-themed birthday parties on the weekends. Through her classes, Jennie is excited to continually help create and encourage an environment of creativity, imagination, learning, and most of all, fun!

Jennie graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Film Studies. She has extensive theatre and film experience and is thrilled to be teaching musical theatre classes at the Children's Music Center of Jamaica Plain.

Liz Mercadante is a graduate of Fairfield University, where she earned her degree in French language and literature. She minored in both theatre and music, two of her all-time loves. Liz also studied theatre in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is a musician, actor, improviser, dancer and, most importantly, a teacher! She loves to travel and has performed all over Europe and the United States. Liz completed her Music Together training in November '08, and is excited to be joining the staff at the Children's Music Center of J.P.