Meet our staff and appreciate the positive difference this gifted and diverse group of professionals can have on your family.

Jenny Parker - Kindermusik Director

Jenny graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC in 1995 with a BM in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance and an MM in Accompanying. She has served as a private piano lesson teacher and accompanist in North Carolina for over 15 years. She is a licensed Kindermusik Educator and has taught Kindermusik in North Carolina for 10 years. She is trained in all curricula and directed her own Kindermusik program for 2 of the 10 years.

Her family moved to Chattanooga in the spring of 2008 and she joined our staff in the spring of 2009 as Kindermusik Director. She is currently teaching private piano in our School of Fine Arts, and serves at First Baptist Church as an accompanist, choir member, and children's choir leader. She also serves as an accompanist at UTC, and for various events in downtown Chattanooga. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeff, and her daughters, Jordyn and Jocelyn.

"As a Kindermusik parent, I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in Kindermusik classes with both of my girls since they were about three months old. It has been a joy to watch them grow and learn through the amazing power of music. As a Kindermusik teacher, it has always been a joy to watch other children and parents grow and learn together in class - and what a privilege it has been to be involved in this fun learning process. As a Kindermusik director, I look forward to working with our teachers to provide a loving, fun, learning atmosphere where every parent and child is welcomed with open arms and cared for. It is our mission as a program, as a director, as teachers, to offer our very best at any given moment."

Jennie Leano - Educator

Jennie joined our Kindermusik staff in 2008 as an Imagine That teacher. She loves pursuing her passion to work with children and music and has enjoyed her first year of teaching. She is a member of First Baptist Church and serves as a worship leader in the Connections service. She serves in other areas as well, such as Vacation Bible School. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and adorable little baby boy. She and her new son have also experienced their first Kindermusik classes as students this past spring. Jennie teaches our Imagine That classes.

Frances Marandi - Educator
Frances joined our staff in 2002. In addition to Kindermusik classes, she sings with the Sanctuary Choir, helps with the school-aged choirs and serves as music leader for Sunday Evening Worship. Frances also teaches children in Sunday School as part of FBC's rotation model. Prior to choosing to increase her involvement in Kindermusik, Frances directed a local Parents' Day Out program and now works as Music Assistant at First Baptist. She holds a BA in Music History from UT Knoxville and studied voice privately. She and her husband have three daughters and one granddaughter (who loves Kindermusik!). Currently, Frances teaches our Young Child classes.

"Children and music have both been an integral part of my life. Whether providing childcare for scores of children or
singing the works of great composers, I find myself centered in the sharing of music with children. Music allows all of us to express emotions for which we have no words. Being with children gives us the pleasure of experiencing music with abandon. It is exhilarating to watch children blossom as they discover themselves and God's creation through the joys of making music."

Angie Nye - Educator
Angie joined our program, first as a parent, then as an administrative assistant, and now as an educator. Angie is a
graduate of UTC with a BS in Business Administration: Accounting. After leaving the world of corporate accounting to become a full-time mom, she discovered our program and became a Kindermusik parent, bringing both of her daughters since they were only months old. She added some part-time duties as an assistant as our program made some changes and now has completed her training to teach Kindermusik classes. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their girls on the disc golf courses in town and other kid-friendly activities they can find. Angie teaches our Village classes.

"Working with this Kindermusik program is truly exciting to me because I've already seen and benefited from the end product. Now I get to help with the continued success of the program and tell even more of my friends why they should bring their kids to our program! It's no mystery that music is such an integral part of a child's development and I'm overcome with excitement that I get to be a part of a program that has proven results and has helped so many kids including my own."

Elanor Pieton - Educator

Eleanor joined our Kindermusik staff in January of 2010. She first participated in Kindermusik as a parent bringing her daughter (Sofia), and now she and her husband also bring their twin sons (Jack and Ben) to classes. She moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee from Columbus, Ohio three years ago.

Eleanor holds a BS in Communication and BS in Early Childhood Education (Summa Cum Laude). She has worked in corporate project management and has enjoyed teaching young children in the classroom, most recently 2nd grade. Dance was an integral part of her life from 3rd grade through college. In high school she assisted the 3/4 year old dance classes. She counts tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, pointe, and college dance team (hip hop style) as part of her dance experience. Organ lessons were also part of her childhood from 6-12 years of age.

When not in Kindermusik classes, Eleanor enjoys spending time with her family, knitting, reading, scrapbooking, sewing, traveling and socializing. Her family enjoys the outdoors and they look forward to hiking, biking, and camping when the weather is warm.

"I love being around children and music. Aside from being fun, Kindermusik contributes amazing benefits to the child's development in all areas. I have enjoyed witnessing this growth in my own children as in others. It is such a wonderful bonding experience between a parent, or grandparent, and child, and I love that it addresses the 'whole child's' ldevelopment . I am proud and excited to be a part of such a fun curriculum and an inspiring group of educators. Welcome to Kindermusik!"