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We believe every child can sing when given nurturing musical support from an early age. We are dedicated to helping children (and their grownups!) develop their music abilities while sharing the joy of music making together. We share a passion for bringing music to our community in a way that's joyful and empowering for everybody. Our vision: a world where everyone can sing – and every voice is valued!
Our teaching staff
All our teachers have successfully completed the Music Together® training program, which is built on current research in early childhood music development. All instructors are required to complete an intensive three-day workshop and pass a live audition demonstrating their musical and leadership abilities, followed by a semester-long teaching apprenticeship. Our teachers continue to develop their skills through workshops, continuing education, and advanced certification in the Music Together curriculum. We're pros, and we love what we do!
Scroll down for notes about each of our teachers.
Lorna Dries
Lorna Dries - A love of music and language: an ear for a song   Lorna's father loved to sing, and he shared this love for singing and music with all of his children. Lorna says, "We sang in the car, in amateur talent shows, in the shower. I took voice lessons and sang in my school's choir in high school. When my sister had her four children, I made up a personalized song for each of them." Lorna pursued her love of music and language with dual degrees in Music History and English, followed by a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. Shortly after her own daughter was born, Lorna discovered Music Together. She became an enthusiastic parent in our classes, sharing her love of music with her own child, and when an opening appeared for a Music Together teacher, Lorna jumped at the chance. Lorna is our Big Kids™ specialist, both as a parent of a Big Kid, and also as our Big Kids Class teacher. She finds fun ways to be creative with a range of ages in the classroom. She also has an unexpected wit, and an amazing talent for barnyard animal sounds - both excellent skills for a Music Together teacher! "I wanted to let you know that my daughter and I really loved the class this past Sat., and Miss Lorna was amazing." - Willa's mom
"This music class is hands down Jacks favorite activity, and we adore Miss Lorna." - Jack's mom
In December 2012 Lorna received her Certification Level 1 status for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education. After watching both Karen and Lorna teach that weekend, Music Together co-founder Lili Levinowitz said, "I'm always moved when I see teaching at this high caliber." And then she wiped a away a tear.
Contact Lorna Dries
Karen Ephyria
Karen Ephyria - A childhood dream realized
  As a child Karen was entranced by the musical “The Sound of Music”. She loved the character of Maria, and she fantasized that one day she would lead a band of singing children. Little did she know that her dream would come true, and include both adults and children in her singing circle. Karen has a degree in music performance from Vanderbilt University, and her professional life has included being a nanny and home-school teacher, a preschool and elementary school special ed teacher assistant, and organizing and leading library programs for children. Local music buffs may know her as the lead singer for the Rock Garden String Band as well as other professional singing gigs. But as Karen herself happily admits, Music Together is where she has finally come home. Karen has been teaching with Heartland Music Together since 2007, and she is beloved by the families in her classes. Karen is also an administrator with Heartland Music Together, and if you contact us with questions, you may get a reply from her.
In December 2012 Karen received her Certification Level 1 status for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education. After watching both Karen and Lorna teach that weekend, Music Together co-founder Lili Levinowitz said, "I'm always moved when I see teaching at this high caliber." And then she wiped a away a tear.
Give your child the gift of a MUSICAL birthday party!! Karen Ephyria is available for musical birthday parties to honor your child's special day. To book Karen for a birthday party, contact her at 502-619-2310, or send her an email.
Contact Karen Ephyria
Alisa Jones
Alisa Jones - A passion for play
  We discovered Alisa when she happened into class as a nanny with two children who usually attended with their parents. As soon as we saw her playing and singing in class with the children, we knew she was prime teacher material. She is an expert at silliness, singing, and general fun!
Alisa says, "I consider working with kiddos my absolute passion. Providing a safe and creative environment for children to explore and develop into well adjusted individuals is quite honestly, the cat's pajamas. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home full of music and silliness and it's been a real joy spending my days giving that to others." Alisa has a degree in political science and sociology from College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, but she turned her back on a law career to pursue her true passion, playing with children. Lucky for us! Alisa also sings with her brother's band "Mike Bush and the Allstars" which plays around Louisville for groups that support children with special needs.
Alisa has years of experience with children with special needs, and she has particular insight into the needs of children with Down Syndrome. She's also our Facebook Queen!
"My son and I LOVE this music program. I truly look forward to our Wednesdays with Ms. Alisa!" - Zeke's mom Contact Alisa Jones
Miriam Klein
Miriam Klein - leader of the "Heartland Gang"
  "I grew up loving music, but for much of my life I was too shy to share my musical soul with the rest of the world. I was afraid I'd be criticized for doing it "wrong". In my musical journey I've repaired musical instruments, been a flute player, a cellist, a Suzuki cello teacher, and now I'm a "sing-out-loud-in-public" Music Together teacher and director of Heartland Music Together. The most important thing I've learned in my amazing journey is this: Music is for everyone! Music is one of the ways in which all of us - babies, children, and grownups alike - get to enjoy being human beings.
I love teaching Music Together classes! I love the spontaneity of what happens in class, and I love seeing how the children grow and blossom over the course of each session. I see my teaching role as facilitating the joy of music-making for both young children and their adult caregivers. I will never tell anyone they're doing it wrong. Everyone can make music!" Miriam Klein was awarded Music Together Certification Level 1 status for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education.
Contact Miriam Klein
Marjorie Taggart
Marjorie Taggart - a lifetime teacher
  Marjorie is a joyful teacher and learner, and she’s used her twin gifts for teaching and music all her life. Her performance career started in childhood, when her family first noticed and supported her unique singing ability. As an adult she founded a non-profit arts program called “ArtsLive!” bringing music and performing arts into school classrooms. Working with this program helped Marjorie discover how much she loved teaching. Over the years her students have ranged from preschool level to adulthood – in fact while she teaches Music Together for us, she’s also an adjunct professor of music at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Wow, that's a commute!
Marjorie also sings with the Louisville Chorus, and she's a section leader in the Beargrass Christian Church Choir, under director Daniel Spurlock.
In addition to her parent-child classes, Marjorie is our enrichment specialist currently teaching music in the Chance School aftercare program. She brings a light-hearted, light-footed presence to her classes, and we think you’ll find her joy to be contagious. Contact Marjorie Taggart
Parents & children - the heart of our community
You may wonder if you can help your child musically, especially if you don't feel that you yourself are musical. Our experience has been that parents and other caregivers are the most essential influences in a young child's musical life. You don't have to be an expert to help your child develop a love for music! If you're having fun playing and making music, chances are your child will too. Enjoy this special time to explore music together. Your gift may last your child's whole life!
In art, as in life, everything is possible, so long as it is based on love. - Marc Chagall
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