Our Mission
Our mission is to weave fun, developmentally appropriate music & movement activities into a unique, uplifting music making experience. By communicating and expressing our human-ness with each other through music, we become a joyful music making community!
About Us
Director Cheryl Anderson Sabo started teaching Music Together® classes in the fall of 2001 after training with Dr. Lili Levinowitz of the Center for Music and Young Children. Although Cheryl trained to be a professional flutist in college and graduate school, she found her talent and heart lie in working with young children. Music Together Vivo classes quickly became popular and Cheryl began working with a dynamic group of teachers to provide even more classes for interested families. Currently, Music Together Vivo offers classes with 10 different teachers in many Northern Virgina area locations.
The name Music Together Vivo! was inspired by several families in class, whose happy comments pointed out how energizing and joyful our classes felt to them. Vivo is a musical term meaning 'lively' and 'energetic.' As children are lively and energetic, especially in our classes, this seemed like a natural fit!
Teachers
Director Cheryl Anderson Sabo holds a Master of Music degree from Arizona State University. As a professional flutist, Cheryl spent 2 years touring with the nationally acclaimed chamber music and storytelling group "Tales & Scales." As a musician who "can't sit still," Cheryl loves teaching Music Together® because it enables her to use her background in dance to explore the synthesis of movement and music in young children. Cheryl has been a licensed Music Together Center Director since 2001.
Nancy Anderson is an experienced music educator. She holds a MS in Music Education from the University of Illinois and has enjoyed sharing music and its benefits with children of all ages, college students and families ever since. Nancy directed a Music Together center in Illinois from 2000-2005. Having moved to Virginia to be closer to family (Cheryl's), she now teaches music for PreK-5 in Prince William County and for Music Together Vivo in Stafford. Of great interest to Nancy is the way that music can touch and affect the lives of autistic children both in Music Together and in the Public School. Nancy is working on MT Certification II in order to optimize the joy and learning in Big Kids Family Music, Keyboard Explorations. We have a core group of several great little pianists in Stafford Music Together!
Robyn Bauer was a Suzuki violin student starting at age 6, and now teaches the Suzuki method professionally. She performs regularly in several different orchestras and ensembles in the Fredericksburg area. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music from James Madison University, and has also taught Elementary School music and worked at a local radio station. In addition to the violin, Robyn loves to sing and play the guitar, piano, ukelele, and any other instrument she can get into her hands!
Gerald Booth grew up in the Alexandria area and attended Fort Hunt High School, where he participated in Orchestra and Choir. He graduated from James Madison University with a Major in Sociology and a Minor in Music, concentrating on the violin. He has performed at local Churches and is has given several solo voice recitals. Gerald and his wife Carri have two children, Josephine and Gabriel. In Gerald's spare time he does his best to emulate actor Michael Keaton's role in Mr. Mom by being a stay-at-home Dad! Gerald recently earned Level I certification in the Orff teaching method.
Holly Chorengel has accepted a fabulous opportunity to relocate with her family to the L.A. area. We congratulate Holly on her outstanding teaching both during Music Together Vivo classes and during her completion of Certification Level I this summer. Holly will be greatly missed by many families here in Northern Virgina! We wish Holly and her family all the best in California.
Michele Connor According to her mother, Michele would wake up in the morning and sing in her crib - and she is still singing! Michele has performed with various early music choral groups and local chorales. She has studied ballet and enjoys ballroom dancing. Michele has been a registered Music Together teacher since 2003.
Shin Lee is an accomplished pianist and mommy of three young children. She studied Music Therapy and Psychology at Southern Methodist University, where she graduated with Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Shin is a worship leader for her church's women's group and accompanist for the church choir. In addition to teaching Music Together classes, Shin offers private piano lessons to young students. She also plays guitar and enjoys Music Together classes with her children.
Aron Rider is a professional cellist and has a rich career of performance and teaching. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Indiana University and her Master’s Degree in Music from Louisiana State University. She performs frequently with numerous orchestras and theaters. She currently has an extensive Suzuki cello studio composed of students of all ages. In her spare time, Aron enjoys playing a variety of genres of music, including tango, fiddle tunes, and now is learning jazz and salsa. Most recently, Aron has joined with Banjo player Mike Maher to form the Caroline Mountain Band, which is brings an energetic, fresh approach to traditional Appalachian fiddle tunes. Check out their website, www.CarolineMountainBand.com.
Kelly Riess found Music Together as a parent when she began attending Cheryl's classes in 2003 with her son, Matthew. An involved parent and music-maker, Kelly decided to find out more and enrolled in the Center for Music and Young Children's teacher training workshop in spring 2006. Kelly started teaching right away, and continues to enjoy Music Together at home with her whole family!
Lisa Rooksby has thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the world of young children since her son, Benjamin, was born in 2004... especially when Music Together is involved! Lisa attended a Teacher Training Workshop with Music Together co-founder Dr. Lili Levinowitz, in Spring 2006 to get a better understanding of how the program helps children develop basic music competence. Lisa looks forward to many years of enjoyment and growth working with Music Together families. Participating in Music Together has inspired Lisa to brush up on playing the flute and piano as well as to learn to play the recorder
Diana Sherblom discovered Music Together Vivo with her sons, Cyrus and Zachary, now 7 and 4 years old. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience, especially the sense of community, enthusiasm, musical exploration, and fun! She is delighted to be a Music Together teacher and welcomes the uniqueness, energy, and curiosity that every child brings to class. Diana has always loved all kinds of music and never passes up a chance to dance or sing. Her background includes flute, piano, voice, and various styles of dance. While studying for a B.A. in Anthropology at Indiana University, she traveled to Tanzania and experienced traditional music and dance. Recently, she began Suzuki cello lessons with her son, Cyrus, at Aron Rider’s studio, and also enjoys Latin ballroom and belly dance.
Elnathan Starnes has been working as a guitarist and songwriter for thirteen years. He attended Howard University majoring in jazz studies. In late 1997, he founded the alternative soul band, Oktbrwrld (Octoberworld), which won the Washington Area Music Award (Wammie) for Best Contemporary R&B group three years in a row. Oktbrwrld made four CD's, and performed at The Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Kennedy Center, MCI Center, and a Fundraiser for Bill Clinton in 2003. He is also featured on guitar on Kwelismith's CD entitled, "Secret Meeting: Kwanzaa Songs and City Sounds. In addition to teaching Music Together, Elnathan performs in the area as Mr. Nate, singing original and traditional children's songs, as well as using puppets, playing guitar, and other instruments. Elnathan lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife and two young children.
EXTRA! EXTRA! ...all Music Together Vivo! teachers have been trained through the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ and are registered Music Together teachers. Aron Rider, Gerald Booth, and Nancy Anderson have gone on to earn Level I Certification for excellence in teaching and parent education. Director Cheryl Anderson Sabo earned Level II Certification and has been selected by the Center for Music and Young Children to be a presenter at National Early Childhood conferences.