Amy Shinohara has been an educator for the past 15 years. A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Communication, she is also an accomplished classical pianist. Amy began teaching Kindermusik classes as a way to combine her passions for education and music. She is the mother of two boys, ages 4 1/2 and 9, and she lives in Ridgefield. Amy is the Director of Hearts and Minds Music, LLC.
Karen Zantay is the proud mom of 3 girls who are now all in college. She’s a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and was a professional actress who also worked for ICM – a top NYC talent agency for many years. She has been involved in Musical Theater since childhood. She brings to Hearts and Minds a deep love and appreciation for children of all different ages and abilities. She currently resides in Ridgefield with her husband who is a professional musician and music educator along with their dog, Hank!
Jessica Frey is a Southern transplant from Alabama. She is a down-to-earth kind of gal who has a strong passion for music and teaching. As a small child, she was singing and performing in church and local community theatres. After graduating college with a B.A. in Musical Theatre she went on to perform and tour with the Birmingham Children’s Theatre around the Southeast. She has also taught and directed many theatre camps and summer music and art programs. Since moving to New York to pursue a career as an actress, she soon met and married her wonderful husband, Michael, and they now have a beautiful son, Jackson! Jessica believes music is the soul’s voice, and she looks forward to using Kindermusik to introduce children to their musical world!
Amy opened Hearts & Minds Music in 2006 to bring the world-renowned Kindermusik curriculum to her town of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Families from surrounding towns, such as Redding, Wilton, Danbury, and Bethel in Connecticut and Brewster, South Salem, Pound Ridge and Somers in New York have joined her Kindermusik classes.
We are honored to have reached "Maestro" level after less than two years of service. This honor is given only to Kindermusik educators who rank in the top 5% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.