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Our Educators
Left to Right: Mindy Lerch | Jennifer Nutter | Christina Gibson | Dorothy Benz-Buchanan |
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Kim Bemis Director/Educator: Musical Beginnings- Owner/Educator Kim Bemis is the director of Musical Beginnings and the owner of Bemis Piano Studio. She has lived in Hamilton County for 27 years, 19 of those years in Westfield. She is married to Dave and they have 3 children, Shaun (26), who is married to Tracy and is in the U.S. Navy stationed in Hawaii, Laura (24), who is married to Nathan and is teaching piano in our studio and is also a licensed Kindermusik educator and Ross (20), who is married to Bonnie and works at Starbucks and is studying to get his realtor license. Kim has taught piano from her home studio for the past 17 years, both group and private lessons. Musical Beginnings has been in operation since 1998 offering classes to children newborn through age 7. |
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Jennifer Nutter Kindermusik Educator: Our Time & Imagine That! Jennifer Nutter is starting her 6th year of teaching Kindermusik with Musical Beginnings. She has loved children all of her life and decided in second grade that she wanted to be a teacher. She graduated from Grace College with an Elementary Education degree along with a Kindergarten Endorsement. She taught 3rd grade at Heritage Christian School for 5 years. She stopped teaching when she became a Mommy in 1997. She took piano lessons as a child and took voice lessons throughout high school and college. She was involved in many choirs and musical productions in elementary, high school and college. She continues to be involved in music at her church and also helps with the children's program. She grew up in Carmel and now lives in Fishers with her husband Scott, 7 year old son, Jeremy and almost 1 year old daughter, Emily Lynne. She loves teaching Kindermusik because she is able to combine 2 things she loves--music and children |
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Christina Gibson Kindermusik Educator: Our Time, Imagine That! & Young Child Christina Gibson is excited to be teaching Kindermusik by Musical Beginnings. She believes early childhood education is important, and also enjoys teaching at a Moms Day Out program and volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at her church in Zionsville. Christina and her husband Jeff live north of Zionsville with their four daughters. She has been an avid fan of Kindermusik since her oldest daughter Hailey began classes with Mrs. Kim six years ago. Hailey, now 10, went through the program until she graduated from Young Child in first grade. Christina’s other daughters are, Regan (9) and Kendall (7), also are graduates of Kindermusik, and Jaycie (3), also enjoys singing and playing in an Imagine That class. A graduate of Indiana University, Christina participated in a university symphonic band and took clarinet lessons through college. She took piano lessons as a child and throughout her school years participated in many choral and band programs. Christina is committed to Kindermusik because it truly addresses the whole child! (top) |
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Dorothy Benz-Buchanan Kindermusik Educator Dorothy Benz-Buchanan has been a licensed Kindermusik Educator and member of the National Kindermusik Educators Association since October 2004. The children and parents of her Village, Our Time, Imagine That! and Young Child classes have been very pleased with her beautiful singing voice, as well as with the calm, gentle manner in which she shares the educational value of the weekly activities. Dorothy is excited about being a Kindermusik educator and being able to share her passion for music with young children and their parents. She strongly believes that through music and movement, children will develop more fully emotionally, socially, cognitively, physically, and musically. Dorothy also values the Kindermusik philosophy of allowing each child to develop at his or her own pace. Through her God-given gifts, Dorothy hopes to bring parents and children together while helping each child develop a lifelong love of music and learning. Dorothy earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Butler University in voice performance. While at Butler, she had the opportunity to participate in many solo and ensemble performances including Chorale, Madrigals, and Opera Workshop. She has also studied Suzuki violin, music theory, and music history. She continues to be involved in music as the soprano soloist at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and can be heard weekly on WIBC 1070 AM. |
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Holly Blunk Kindermusik Educator Holly Blunk was born and raised in St Louis, Missouri. She came to Indianapolis to attend Butler University. After graduation, Holly took a job with her sorority as a field consultant, traveling the United States and Canada evaluating collegiate chapters. Following this position, she returned to Indianapolis to begin her career as a math teacher. Although Holly pursued an education degree, music has always been a part of her life. She began singing in her church choir at a young age and continued throughout her high school years eventually becoming a member of the Butler University choir. After attending Kindermusik classes with her own two daughters and seeing the many benefits music and movement offer young children from a parental perspective, Holly left her teaching position in pursuit of becoming a Kindermusik educator. She began teaching Kindermusik in 2005 and being trained and licensed by Kindermusik International. She loves the wide ranging musical selections offered by the Kindermusik curriculum and finds that the music in her own home creates a soothing atmosphere for learning. Holly is also a Creative Memories Consultant, scrap booking memories for her family and teaching others how to get started. (top) |
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Kara Farden Kindermusik Educator Kara Farden was born in Athens, Georgia but was raised in Boise, Idaho. She came to Indianapolis when her husband was transferred to Indiana. While growing up in Idaho, Kara was very active in music, playing the flute, and singing in choir. Later, she furthered her singing career with the Boise State University, New Mexico University and church choirs. Kara graduated from the University of New Mexico in English literature. Kara discovered Kindermusik while living outside of Dallas, Texas. She was so excited about the program that soon both of her children were enrolled and involved with Kindermusik. After moving to Michigan, the local Kindermusik instructor was transferred to another state and asked if Kara would be interested in teaching her classes. Kara then became trained and licensed by Kindermusik International and began her own business called Kindermusik with Kara. Kara enjoyed teaching classes in Village, Our Time and Imagine That!. In addition, Kara also taught the preschool music program for Shepherd of the Lakes. Kara now lives in Westfield with her husband Greg, daughter Jenna, son Jamie and two very fat kitties! (top) |
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Stephanie Quimby Kindermusik Educator Stephanie Quimby is very excited to be teaching Kindermusik with this outstanding group of educators at Musical Beginnings. She believes education is important, and teaches Kindergarten and First Grade at Adams Elementary in Sheridan Indiana. Stephanie pursued an education degree, but music has always been a part of her life. She began singing in elementary school as part of the 4th grade choir. She continued her musical career throughout middle school and participated in competitive show choir at Carmel high school. Since leaving school she has been an active member of her church praise team and choir. After attending a Kindermusik class with a friend, her knowledge of child development and the benefits that music and movement offer young children, caused her to fall in love with the Kindermusik philosophy. Stephanie enrolled in the Kindermusik University, and is excited to join our staff for the first time this year. Her background in education, and more specifically children with special needs makes her a very valuable asset to Musical Beginnings. (top) |
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Laura Newby Piano Instructor Laura Newby was raised in a very musical family and has used that to her advantage! Laura has studied piano since the 2nd grade. Her most recent study was with Lola McIntyre. Laura has won many awards and honors with her piano playing. She has also done two solo recitals. She has attended various piano camps and workshops and even studied piano at the college level. Laura is a licensed Kindermusik educator with 6 years of experience. She is very excited to be bringing her knowledge, skills and love of children to the piano studio. Laura lives in Sheridan and is married to Nathan and they have two children, Keaton (2) and Taylor (6 months). (top) |
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Christina Pease Kindermusik Educator Christina Pease has been a certified Kindermusik Educator since 1998. She is just moving to Anderson, Indiana and hoping to settle there after spending the past 17 years traveling as an Army wife. She is married to Terry Pease who will be spending the next 16 months in Iraq and then returning to the US and getting ready to retire from the Army. They have 3 wonderful boys; Philip is 17 and is a senior, Patrick is 16 and a sophomore and Parker is 12 and in 7th grade. Christina has always had a love for music and children. She grew up in a musical family and has been involved with music her whole life. Christina is attending Anderson University as a Music major and is very excited to finally be settled enough to finish her degree. She has been teaching Kindermusik, piano, voice and violin lessons for the past 9 years in all of the different places her family has lived. She has also been a teacher aide/assistant and substitute in many of the school districts she has lived in as well. Christina’s love for music and the development of young children is her primary reason for loving the Kindermusik program so much. (top) |
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Mindy Lerch Kindermusik Educator Mrs. Mindy Lerch has been involved in music her entire life, including desiring to play piccolo from 1st grade! Mindy participated in various honors orchestral and band groups throughout junior high and high school in Kansas, playing the flute and piccolo. Attending Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, Mindy graduated with a degree in music education, and she is trained in level one of the Orff-Schülwerk Teacher Certification. Mindy taught elementary music for 3 years, and she has given private flute lessons for 11 years. She also helped start and direct a children’s instrumental Orff ensemble at her church, which was part of the children’s choir. She continues to participate musically by playing flute and piccolo with various community groups, including her church praise band and a woodwind quintet. Mindy has been teaching Kindermusik since 2003, and loves giving young children the chance to rejoice in music with their parents, while also developing all aspects of each child. Kindermusik provides a fun, wonderful way to help establish a lifelong love of learning and music! Most importantly, Mindy lives in Indianapolis with her husband Aaron and children Hannah (3) and Jadon (1), with whom she spends most of her time! (top) |
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