How did you become involved with Music Together?

I was studying music therapy at New York University and met another student who had a child in Music Together. She told me about the program, and I became interested. I took the training in the summer of 1996. I first taught classes in a church basement, but the classes quickly became very popular so I made arrangements with the local community center to teach there. The classes quickly became even more popular, so that now each class is sold out; the registrar cannot keep up with the number of parents who want these classes for their children. I have continued to increase the number of classes, and just recently was able to quit my other job teaching in a preschool to devote my time to Music Together. I have also been asked by a neighboring county to develop a program for them.

What have you found to be particularly rewarding about Music Together?

I was able to use my undergraduate major, psychology, with my interest in music, my love of children, and my music therapy skills. I have always sung in choirs, and I play piano and guitar. Music Together provided a way for me to use everything I know. While I teach the same program as other people, my goals are different. I am looking at socialization, fine and gross motor skills, cognition, speech and language acquisition and sensory integration.

What keeps you interested and involved?

When I first began teaching, it was difficult to solve the problems alone, but now there are five Music Together teachers in my area that get together twice a year. We teach songs for each other, talk about marketing, and generally share information. It's really wonderful to have a teaching network.

Ashley Herron is a Music Together Center Director in Great Falls, Virginia.