Meet our Teachers

The Teachers

Ivy Pressendo

Playing piano since she was 3, flute since age 9, Ivy is an avid music maker! She has been involved in musical theater, conducting marching bands and has toured England with a jazz group, playing flute and singing. Ivy has a BA and a MA in Early Childhood Education with a Gifted Emphasis. She had been a Music Together mom for many years with both her children and also has completed Level I Certification from Music Together, LLC. Ivy's classes reflect her enthusiastic-fun personality and easy going style!

From the Mannos Family (Spring '06):
"Wonderful! Ivy is so knowledgable and SO high energy. Oliva talks about her all the time. She loves coming to music class to "see Miss Ivy". Thank you so much for everything!"

"Ivy reads the mood and tone of the group really well. She is very energetic!"

From Fall '07: "Ivy is a fabulous and knowledgable teacher. She is enthusiastic, creative and full of fun and laughs. Class is always a joy and the kids ask to go to music. It carries over to home and they have a love for music because to the program."

"It was a super way for me to learn about my kids' musical development and helps me get over my fear of singing."

Indigo Young

A current student of both music and speech language pathology, Indigo grew up in a musical family and began taking lessons at the age of four. Playing piano and clarinet; she has studied both classical and jazz music under the direction of Gabriel Cornella for nearly 10 years and also has 10 years experience in dance. Music Together has given Indigo the tools to unite her love for music and children together in the classroom.

A family from Spring '06:"Indigo is a fantastic teacher. She sets a beautiful example for all of us by singing well, doancing with lots of energy and smiling a lot!"

From Fall '07: "Indigo is great! I love how she honors the developmental level of my child in class ....she re-directs so gently and appropriately. I appreciate that greatly!!"

Fall '07: "Indigo is fabulous - excellent balance of teaching, guiding, motivating, encouraging. Indigo is the reason we have had usch a GREAT experience!"

"We love to come here every Thursday. It's like a celebration for all of us."

Wes Hawkins

Wes Hawkins is freelance Percussionist and Educator in the Phoenix area. He has a Master's Degree in Music Education. Currently, Wes is a stay-at-home father with his two children, teaches Jazz History at Phoenix College and is starting a steel band ensemble at the high school level. He is well versed in many styles of music, from Symphonic to Jazz to World Music and brings a wealth of musical experience to the Music Together program. Learn more about Wes on his website: www.Rhythmislife.com.

Wes is leaving to teach up at NAU this summer; we will miss him and are looking forward to his return for fall!

From the Foltz Family (Spring '06):
"Wes has been a pleasure - Josh loved the class and has changed so much! Wes is patient, fun and very positive with both the parents and kids! ....and respects each child's individuality."

"We've had an excellent experience �very grounded on research and age appropriate goals and presentation. Very impressive! My daughter is wild about this program and want her "my music" as often as possible. I love her ownership of this universal form of personal and cultural expression"

Kevin Gordon

Music and education have always been in the center of Kevin's life. He has taught Head Start in Phoenix and is currently is a music specialist for a preschool in Scottsdale. For the past three summers, he has developed and teaches an original summer music program.

With a passion for performing, Kevin play with his own group Endoplasmic Music and performs around the valley. In addition to being a vocalist and percussionist, he also plays guitar, bass guitar, and drums. Kevin is a very dedicated educator who loves rhythm and how it revolves around everything we do. His passion for music and love for children has now brought him to Music Together.

From the Boschee Family, Fall '06: "We cannot say enough about teacher Kevin. Jack has picked up in his passion and enthusiasm and wants to model everything Kevin does ... Jack will have Kevin to thank for his love of music!"

"I like that music is encourages from the inside out instead of performance-based. This way, music is expressed naturally in my son. This method is similar to language acquisition models."

Julie Ann Neuberger

Julie Ann Neuberger has always made music a focus in her life. Credentialed with three degrees in music performance and pedagogy, Julie Ann has been teaching professionally for over six years. Julie Ann has enjoyed teaching all different ages, young children to adults, and currently instructs lessons in piano and voice at music schools in Phoenix. Julie Ann is enthusiastic about joining our teaching team and expanding her musical experiences with families at Music Together!

From a family of 2 years w Music Together, "It helps when the teacher takes the time to marvel at the development of children".

"Julie Ann is patient, sweet and open to parents and children. She helped me realize an entirely new way to interact with my child."

"We've really enjoyed our teacher. She gets the kids involved and makes everyone feel welcome."

Debra Podjed

The joy of teaching rhythm and music to children brought Debra to Music Together. After completing a BA in Music Theory and Composition from San Francisco State University, she studied tabla at the Ali Akbar College of Music, doumbek, tambourine and tar with Mary Ellen Donald, and frame drums with John Loose.

She developed and taught K - 6 rhythm workshops in the San Francisco schools under the auspices of the San Francisco Symphony Adventures in Music program. Debra records and performs with world-music groups such as Devotional Fusion, Copus, Europa and Prema Rupa.

"My kids love this class and Debra makes every child feel comfortable and helps engage them! My son is usually shy but enjoys participating in music."

"Great!! Class is so fun to attend! It was also a security blanket at other times in our life - it helped change the mood and motivate well outside of class."

"Really interactive family activity. Wonderful for our child's development, play and experimentation. Very active, yet not just sports."

Kathy Rowe, Center Director

A graduate of NAU and Northeastern IL University playing flute and earning a MA in music education, Kathy has joyfully taught general/vocal music to preschool through eighth grade as well as band and choir. In 1997, Kathy found Music Together attending with her daughters and fell deeply in love with the program! She began Music Together in Phoenix in the the fall of 1999.

Currently Kathy has developed and teaches an early childhood Orff music program at the Unity of Phoenix. She has completed both the Level I and the Level II Certification from Music Together, studies classical guitar under Gabriel Cornella and enjoys joining in with the local autoharp club in town!

"Kathy is amazing and playful, very authentic in spirit. We really enjoy her." Spring 07

Part Time Music Teachers Needed! Music Together in Phoenix is looking for very exceptional and enthusiastic individuals to share their love of music and children with our families. A background of music, movement or earlychildhood education very helpful! All instructors must complete 25 hours of training from Music Together LLC. Inquire to 602-363-8202 or kathy@musictogetherinphx.com.