Teacher Anne Vaaler has taught Music Together for more than 6 years, and she LOVES playing with music and children and bringing families and music together and hearing what happens--it's magical! Outside the MT classroom, she has been directing choirs since she first lined up her dolls, bears, and younger siblings and told them to “watch me!” Anne has directed choirs and taught music for the San Francisco Children’s Chorus; the San Francisco Conservatory of Music; the San Lorenzo Unified School District; the San Francisco Unified School District, particularly George Washington High School where she directed a choral program of seven ensembles, as well as serving as music director for two theatrical productions each year; and now serves the Pleasant Ridge United School District in Grass Valley, directing four award-winning choirs at Magnolia Intermediate School and teaching general music at all three elementary schools. Like many music teachers, she instructs more than 1,000 children every week. She has been awarded the California League of Teachers “Outstanding Educator” award, and was honored by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown for her work with the George Washington High School choirs. She has served as a clinician and adjudicator for numerous choral and solo/ensemble festivals, and was part of a People-to-People delegation of music teachers to China in 1998.

Teacher Annie Keeling loves teaching, music, movement, children--and any chance to bring them all together. With an MFA in Dance from UCLA and a BS in Dance Education from the University of Wisconsin, she has taught dance to all ages--pre-school to elementary, university students to seniors. Ann's musical background includes chorus, clarinet, and guitar. One of her favorite memories is participating in the high-stepping, award-winning UW-Madison marching band.  Another is playing guitar for groups in her parents' home at the age of ten. Her son, Zed, introduced her to Music Together. As the son of a juggling Dad and dancing Mom, Zed often comes together with his parents through the MT experience. Ann is a registered Music Together Teacher--and has also obtained the next level of education through Music Together, her Certification I. Ann loves teaching a program that is research based with a solid foundation in how young children learn --not to mention the joy and laughter that families exhibit as they get hooked on experiencing the powerful world of music. 

Teacher Beth Gillogly, the Center Director of Sierra Foothills Music Together, loves teaching Music Together and sharing her passion for music with children and their parents and caregivers! Beth plays ukulele, guitar, and piano, and dabbles in harp and violin, but her main and most beloved instrument is the human voice. She has been singing since she was a very small girl, and she now enjoys singing all day with her young daughter and any other children she meets! She studied classical voice for more than 15 years, and has nearly 20 years of experience performing as a member and soloist in choirs ranging from small, a cappella Renaissance groups to large 80-voice choirs. She has also had many years of experience as a cantor/song leader for churches in Sacramento and the Bay Area. She earned a B.A. in English with a minor in Music from Santa Clara University, and a Master’s Degree in creative writing from New York University. Beth is a Registered Music Together teacher and has taught in Auburn since 2005. She became director of Sierra Foothills Music Together in 2010. Teacher Beth also croons 20s, 30s, and 40s jazz tunes with The Crackerjack Jazz Band. 

Teacher Eileen Kennedy is a Designer and Artist; she has been involved with theatre and dance her whole life and has worked as a professional furniture designer maker for 15 years. Eileen is also a Classical Feng Shui Consultant. As a mother, the joy that she has shared with her daughter Eva through Music Together catapulted her to teach this class. Join Eileen for her first foray of teaching Music Together—her enthusiasm is contagious!

Teacher Jill Reiman was introduced to Music Together while taking classes with her daughter. As a vocalist, Jill has performed since the age of 7 singing classical, musical theatre, pop and jazz, and she studied classical voice at Cal State Fullerton. Jill has an AA degree in early childhood education and has taught several early childhood programs. Teacher Jill has been a Registered Music Together Teacher since 2006 and has taught at Auburn Music Together's Granite Bay location since 2008.

Teacher Lisa has been involved with Music Together in some capacity over the last seven years. It was with her eldest son, at the age of 18 months, that she found Music Together, and she continued to relive the experience with her younger son. Watching her children and the children of others flourish through the weeks of each music session was very inspiring to her. In her own life she has used the songs to teach speech, get chores done around the house, and tuck her little ones in bed. She knows firsthand how important music is in the life of a child. As a classroom assistant with third graders and a storyteller to K-5 kids, she loved to weave the songs and movements into a story for the children to absorb each week. Music Together allows the same kinds of opportunities for parents to connect with their children. She enjoys sharing her love of families, music, rhythm, and story through her own Music Together classes. Lisa is a Registered Music Together teacher.

Teacher Mandee Rice thrives in music and loves the joyfulness of a Music Together class. Mandee studied voice and played piano for more than 20 years, and she has experience singing and soloing in classical and jazz choirs. She enjoys performing musically in her living room with her three small children. An avid homeschool teacher, Mandee also teaches enrichment classes for children in music, theater, and handwork. Mandee was very proud to join the Sierra Foothills Music Together family as a registered teacher in 2010.