Our Licensed Kindermusik Educators
Kylie Clift - Licensed Kindermusik® Educator/Director
My love of all genres of music developed in early childhood with many an amateur concert performed for family and friends (isn't this how we all start out?).
After successfully majoring in drama and music at high school I got involved in the thriving musical theatre scene in Sydney staring in various productions all over Sydney before moving on to professional work in rock bands and vocal groups whilst working in the Tourism Industry and studying part-time.
In 1990 I studied ˜Fundamentals of Jazz ' at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, worked, studied guitar, sang and travelled my way around Europe for a year before returning home to perform in the successful, mo-award nominated cabaret group "The Voluptuosos' from 1995-2005. The Voluptuosos went on to win the Australian Singing Championships and worked successfully in the corporate market with firms like Club Med, AMN Amro and NSW Nurses Association as well as some brief fame on 'Hey, Hey it's Saturday"!
After having my second child in 2004 I was keen to get back to my music roots and since having children was increasingly aware and interested in music for young children. After researching all the different programs I found Kindermusik and have never looked back. I became a licensed Kindermusik Educator in 2005 and spent 2005/ 2006 teaching Kindermusik on the lower North Shore before starting Jim Jam Music in 2007 in the Hornsby area. I'm sure there are many people out there who don't enjoy their work but I'm not one of them! I love my job! I get to sing and dance and play instruments with fabulous little people all week! I feel very privileged to share precious time each week with all the families who come to Jim Jam Music classes and get so much satisfaction in the little things; the 'horray' at the end of a dance, the first time a child sings along with a song in class, the 2 year old who shares their instrument with another for the first time, the baby who claps their hands along to the song with glee. ar the preschooler playing the woodblock to the steady beat..it's amazing to see these little milestones.
Life for me is otherwise is focused on family; husband Roger and daughters, Lexie (10) and Jorja (7) as well as sharing my passion for early childhood music education with the local community whilst furthering my studies in Early Childhood Music Education.
"If music be the food of love, play on.." William Shakespeare
Kylie Clift
Kindermusik Educator 2005-2012
Katie Ravich - Licensed Kindermusik® Educator
Our house always has music playing. Many of my happiest childhood memories come from my connection to music. It is simply a part of our everyday family life!
I was yet to know that bringing music and children together was my life's work, until we had a baby of our own. I took him to Kindermusik classes, and knew I wanted to train as a Kindermusik Teacher. He is now 9 and passionate about both music and learning. Kindermusik has taught him so many fundamental skills to help him understand the world around him. He has now moved on to instrumental studies and is a passionate member of his school choir. Our second son was also a Kindermusik enthusiast. They both want to be in a band when they grow up!
In my last 8 years of teaching, I have seen so many ways Kindermusik has touched the lives of the families I have taught. I have seen a very introverted child, too shy to participate for much of the term, suddenly decide one day to get up and join the group. This brought tears to many an eye! That child has never looked back. Praise goes to his parents who persevered with Kindermusik, know that the program was the best choice for their child. I have seen intimate first moments like when a child feels the steady beat and the parent and child celebrate! Or when a baby snuggles closely in a rocking embrace. Precious moments...
I am very excited to be joining Kylie at Jim Jam Music in 2012! Jim Jam Music is so much more than a weekly music class. We want to welcome you and your children to a special community of enthusiastic music makers. During class, children are respected for their individuality and self expression, while also given sensible boundaries to feel secure. This nurturing of your child's self esteem is something I am very passionate about as a teacher. If they are loving what they do, the rest will follow! Parents and carers are also supportedf with respect and grace and given knowledge to take on as they wish.
Kindermusik is something to be experienced first-hand. I invite you to watch your children experience these wonderful programs and share in their joy!
I look forward to meeting you!
Katie Ravich
Kindermusik Educator 2003-2012
Our Guarantee to You
We are committed to excellence in teaching and in service at Jim Jam Music. We ensure this by regularly attending Kindermusik Professional Development Seminars and Conferences, participating in online courses as well as ongoing discussion with our colleagues.
Thus we offer you The Kindermusik Guarantee: If, after 6 weeks of complete attendance at Kindermusik, use of At-Home Materials and after consultation and discussion with our director, your satisfaction with Kindermusik is not what we all expected, we will refund the balance of your tuition costs less a $20 administration processing fee. Opened Home Materials are non-refundable.
