Jacqui Blackeby (B Ed (Ec), B Magt (Mktg))

Henley Beach and Findon

I have always had a passion in music. I learnt the violin and piano, danced Calisthenics and sung in the Australian Girls Choir. My first experience in teaching children began with teaching Calisthenics to the younger age groups. I first learnt about and fell in love with Kindermusik, when I took my first daughter Gracie, who was 6 months at the time to a class. I soon realized the joy in music for young children and the benefits of Kindermusik in developing children holistically – socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively and musically. I now have three wonderful girls Gracie – who is now 5, Phoebe 3 and Ava 1 years.

The best part of the program is that I can share it with my girls and our house is full of music, we sing and play throughout the day. I loved watching Grace changing almost daily and became fascinated in her development and also other children's development. From this I decided to take undertake an early childhood degree, which was a very rewarding course. You soon come to realise that it is the first seven years of a child's life that are the most important, they are the foundations and the building blocks for the future.

I feel very fortunate and blessed that I can be a part of other children's and family lives, influencing in such a positive way through the joy of music and experiencing their journey with them. Developing children' s confidence in the years is the key to them growing up to being happy adults, with a positive outlook on life. After teaching Kindermusik for a number of years under Kylie Green offered me the great opportunity to buy the business (formerly called Kindermusik by Kylie & Co).

Sam Taylor (Bmus, AmusA, GDip Arts Mgt)

Brighton and Glenelg Centres

I studied flute at the Adelaide Conservatorium graduating in 1989, and embarked upon a teaching and performing career. In 1992 I relocated to Victoria and was heavily involved in music education both as a tutor and orchestral manager with Melbourne Youth Music and State Music Camp Victoria, as well as teaching flute in the private school system. Early in 1998 I initiated a change in direction and worked as an arts administrator until July 2001 when my husband and I moved back to South Australia to start a family. Throughout my time in Victoria, I was a regular member of the Malvern Symphony Orchestra, the Victorian Flute Ensemble, and the Grainger Wind Symphony, as well as playing in various theatre productions and chamber ensembles for weddings.

I came across Kindermusik when I enrolled my son Liam in classes and loved it so much I wanted to be involved on a more practical level. I find teaching children of all ages fun and rewarding, and I derive great pleasure seeing children ‘wiggle and giggle’ and enjoy their music while constantly absorbing new skills.

Catherine Riggall

Maylands Centre

Music has always been a part of my life. From the age of 3 until adulthood, I was involved in Dalcroze Eurythmics which laid a wonderful foundation for my music and life experiences. Throughout my schooling I learned to play the piano and the bassoon and was involved with choirs, bands, orchestras and musical activities. I continue to play the piano and I am also a member of an 8-part acapella vocal group that regularly performs (established 15 years).

I am a mother to Eliza and Thomas and had been attending Kindermusik classes with Eliza when the opportunity arose to teach at Maylands. Having seen first hand the benefits of the program with Eliza, and knowing the joy that music can bring to your life, I leapt at the chance to be involved. I enjoy teaching the Kindermusik program to all age-groups and look forward to being part of your child’s musical and developmental journey.

Becky Perry

Golden Grove Centre

I have an artistic, creative background based in art and music. From an early age I have enjoyed the gift of being able to sing, it is a natural part of who I am, and I love all forms of music. Calisthenics and rhythmic gymnastics gave me an excellent grounding in rhythm and dance. I have been a member of numerous choirs since Junior Primary School. I have been teaching Kindermusik for the last four years. In that time I have watched, not only my students, but also their parents, grow, develop and participate through music and its benefits. They have developed physically and emotionally enjoying a wide variety of approaches and flexibility of the course, not to mention the great fun we have. I am pleased to be a part of such a wonderful Kindermusik family.

Deborah Johnson

Maylands Centre

Deborah’s background is in music having trained at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide, and graduating with an Honours Degree in Music Performance. She moved to Sydney in 1995 and spent 11 years performing with Opera Australia, as well as appearing with many of Sydney’s smaller professional companies.

Deb completed her Kindermusik training in 2005, and operated 2 studios in Sydney’s inner Western suburbs, until she moved back to Adelaide in late 2006 to spend more time with family.

Since moving back to Adelaide, she has rejoined the State Opera of South Australia, and has undertaken further study, commencing a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at the Magill campus of UniSA.

Deb also recently qualified as an Austswim teacher, and currently teaches the Waterbabies and Kindergarten age groups at Norwood Stateswim.

Cathy Coldrey

Clarence Park Centre

I have always had a strong passion for music and dance and believe it is such a magical part of life.

I started dancing at the age of 4 with Calisthenics and then trained in Classical Ballet for 25 years. I also learnt tap dancing and thoroughly enjoyed teaching tap to young children and seeing how thrilled they were to learn rhythm and movement.

I studied Viola throughout school and have been playing in a String Quartet at weddings and functions for the past 15 years. I am currently learning the piano and my husband plays the clarinet and drums, so we have lots of music in our house.

Our son Matthew loves Kindermusik and I have enjoyed watching his development and appreciation of music in such a fun, interactive and social environment.

Chris

Clarence Park

Music was part of my childhood from an early age; one of my earliest memories is of playing on the floor next to the piano whilst my Mum played Chopin's Nocturnes. Through childhood to my teenage years, I studied classical piano and recorder, and participated in the school orchestra and choir, as well as the drama group.

 I have worked in the Australian bush for many years where music programs for children are unavailable, so after my family and  I moved back to Adelaide, I couldn't wait to get my children involved in a fun music program. I have two boys, aged 4 and 2; they both love their Kindermusik classes! I am furthering my own interest in music through enrolment in singing classes.

I strongly believe that music brings an extra depth to what it means to be a whole person. As a parent I have seen first-hand the benefits of the Kindermusik program with my boys, and I am very much looking forward to bringing the joy of music to your child at this most special time in their developmental years.

Zeljka Klindzic

Unley

I am a very warm, happy and friendly person with a bubbly personality. Singing, acting and dancing run through my veins. In my early years I studied singing, acting and various forms of dance, including ballet, jazz and tap. Since then I have taught myself to play the guitar and am currently tinkling on a keyboard. 

I have an extensive background in the entertainment business.  I have been a singer in a 60/40 band that worked professionally for many years. In Sydney and Adelaide I have worked on Stage, TV and the Silver Screen as a professional actress.  I have toured around Australia a number of times with theatrical groups and worked on many musicals. One day I decided to stop for 5 minutes and get married.  Well it took longer than 5 minutes and now have my beautiful daughter Nikki (13 years) and my 4 year old son Luka who’s gorgeous. 

I worked as an acting teacher for a well-known entertainment Agency in town. I have also been an assistant director on a few school musicals.  For more than twelve years I have worked as a face painter/balloon bender/children’s entertainer.  It was in my tenth year of working at a kindergarten as a playgroup coordinator that I first heard about Kindermusik.  I was invited to attend some classes with my son Luka, we both had such a wonderful time that I soon realised that I would enjoy being a kindermusik educator as it involved everything I love to do. Tying all of my knowledge and previous experience together with my love of children and the opportunity to share with them the wonderful gift of music and its many educational benefits.

I’d love to see you and your child/children at one of my classes so please come and see how rewarding Kindermusik can be for everyone. 

Kylie Pearce

I have always had a love for music from a very young age. Throughout school I was involved in music learning the recorder in primary school plus singing. I went on to learn classical piano and flute throughout high school.

As a teenager I was also involved in many youth musical theatre productions and sang in the Adelaide Youth Choir for 3 years. Unfortunately for many years I lost touch with any formal involvement with music as Uni (science), career, marriage and children took precedence.

I now have two beautiful children, Mitchell who is 7 and Chloe, 10 months. Mitchell has inherited my love for music and loves to play the piano and dance. Seeing how much he has grown through music, I decided to start Chloe in Kindermusik from a young age. I also was considering going back to work, and wanted to do something fulfilling which I am passionate about.

Through Kindermusik with Jacqui the opportunity arose to become an educator – the timing and the job could not have been more perfect for me! I have loved attending the classes with Chloe, and the training has been really exciting. I can’t wait now for you and your children to share in my enthusiasm and enjoyment of music.