About Our Staff

Our enthusiastic, highly qualified and well-trained music education professionals are dedicated to offering students at every level developmentally appropriate classes as well as the most rewarding experience in making music.

Several teachers attended an all day Orff training with Randy DeLelles
and Jeff Kriske, author's of the Orff elementary curriculum.

Lynn Kleiner, a music specialist since 1978, is the founder and director of Music Rhapsody. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University with graduate studies in piano and music education from Arizona State University. Her Orff Schulwerk Teacher's Certificate and Master Certificate are from Memphis State University. Lynn has presented many workshops to AOSA, MENC and AMTA. She is the composer and producer of the "Kids Make Music" DVDs, CDs, and books. Lynn received the Oppenheim Award for her video/instrument kits.

Sami Ashworth received her Bachelor of Music in French horn performance and music education from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. From touring in Europe with the Grammy nominated Gil Evan’s Jazz Orchestra to playing in chamber music groups and recording studios in New York and Los Angeles, Sami is an active performer in a variety of settings. She has worked as a theory teacher and chamber music coach at the Eastern U.S. Summer Music Camp and teaches private instrumental lessons. Under the mentorship of distinguished music educator Donna Brink Fox, PhD, Sami taught in the early childhood music program at the Eastman Community Music School before coming to Music Rhapsody.

Ute Braun is the Assistant to the Director Lynn Kleiner and has been with Music Rhapsody for eight years. She discovered her passion for music as a child in Freudenstadt, Germany. Upon moving to America fourteen years ago, she received her AA in music from Santa Monica College and her BM in Music Education from Chapman University. Ute completed her Orff Level I training at the University of Las Vegas and Orff Level II at Trinity University San Antonio.

Paul Cummings has earned a Bachelor's degree in music education from Bradley University and a Masters in voice performance from the University of Texas at Austin. He has taught general music and conducted choirs at St. Juliana's School and Washington Junior High in Long Beach, CA. He has a combined 10 years of experience teaching voice and conducting choirs at the college level at Lesley College and Fullerton College. Paul has performed extensively as a soloist and chorus singer across the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Mexico and is a member of the LA Master Chorale. His Orff Schulwerk training is from the University of Nevada.

Charlotte Foster holds a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Asbury University.  She has completed coursework towards a master’s in Music Education for California State University Long Beach.  She has been teaching music in the schools for eleven years and privately for four years.

Amy Gordon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University, where she was a music major studying vocal performance, piano and composition. Amy's early childhood music and Orff Schulwerk training is from Lynn Kleiner. Amy is currently completing her Masters in Music at California State Long Beach.

Justin Janer earned his Master's degree in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music in New York City and his Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from California State University Northridge. An active alto saxophonist, he has earned many awards such as the McNamara Creative Arts Project Grant, a Latin Grammy Nomination, 2009 Latin Jazz Saxophonist of the Year, and a Downbeat Magazine Outstanding Soloist Award among others. His latest CD "Following Signs" features Justin's original compositions and has received critical acclaim. Justin teaches private saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano lessons at the Music Rhapsody studio. His early childhood music and Orff Schulwerk training are from Lynn Kleiner.

Jennifer Martin has been teaching at Music Rhapsody since 2007. She began classical voice training at the age of 13, and completed the Artist Program at Santa Monica College in vocal performance. She has sung in operas, recitals and choral groups.
After becoming a mother of two boys, she began an interest in Early Childhood Music. As she witnessed the great impact of music in the development of her own children’s verbal communication and physical coordination skills, she knew she wanted to share this joy of music with others.
Jennifer has received her Orff and Early Childhood Music training from Lynn Kleiner and is currently taking courses in Child Development. She believes that as we teach our students and children, we continue to learn from them in return.

Elizabeth Matson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and vocal performance from Loyola Marymount University. She has experience working as a children's voice and theater instructor and as an entertainer for young children. Elizabeth is an active performer in music theater, opera and as a soloist. Her early childhood music education and Orff training is from Lynn Kleiner.

Brendan McCreary is a graduate of University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music. His early childhood music training and Orff training is from Lynn Kleiner.

Harold Rodriguez, who was a 2006 National Taekwondo Champion, has trained in early childhood music and Orff under Lynn Kleiner. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Universidad Pedagogica Nacional. Bogotá, Colombia and has experience teaching many different age groups.

William Rustrum earned his AA degree from Musicians Institute and has a bachelors degree from California State University Long Beach. He performs in several music groups and is endorsed by Sfarzo, a guitar string company. William has Orff Schulwerk training from the University of Nevada and early childhood music education course work from Lynn Kleiner.

Ashley Stanbury holds a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from CSU Long Beach. She is an active performer in opera, jazz and as a concert soloist in the Los Angeles area. At CSU Long Beach she was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity. Ashley completed her early childhood and Orff training under the instruction of Lynn Kleiner.

Bryan Scott received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley. His teaching experience includes preschool, K-8 elementary and college level at Santa Monica College. He is proficient with piano, guitar, bass and percussion and brings much joy and creativity to his classes. His early childhood training and Orff training is from Lynn Kleiner.

Jessica Tunick is a licensed and certified Music Rhapsody teacher who has been working with Lynn Kleiner and her program for the past 7 years with children ages 3 months to 7 years old. She believes very strongly in the tremendous positive impact of early childhood music education and in the Orff-Schulwerk philosophy and specifically Music Rhapsody's approach. With her rich background in opera, musical theater, dance, and voice-teaching, Jessica provides a joy-filled and creative environment for young children to explore and develop music skills and contribute their own creative ideas all while building confidence, self awareness, and a deep love and appreciation for music. As difficult as it was to leave behind her 150 little students and their devoted families, Jessica is thrilled to be the first Music Rhapsody licensee and founder and director of the east coast branch of Music Rhapsody. She offers group classes (with parents) for infants through 4-5 year olds, as well as preschool classes. For information on Music Rhapsody in the Boston area, including classes at a Music Rhapsody location or in schools,  please contact Jessica Tunick at 818-590-4203