In January 2002, I began Music Together^® of Vienna, offering just a couple of classes at the Vienna Community Center for the Winter semester (Sticks collection).  Over the next 21 years, “I” became “we" as word of our program spread, staff members were added, and our name changed to Music Together Sing and Groove. Throughout the years, I’ve had the pleasure of training over 20 talented and caring instructors as well as working with a cast of extremely dedicated, personable, organized, tech-savvy and creative office managers and marketing directors. Through the many classes we offered each semester, thousands of families sang “Hello Everybody” with us each week and we’ve had the pleasure of connecting and building community through our music. It’s hard to find the words to express my level of fulfillment in directing and teaching Music Together.

I found an entrepreneurial career that required the skills I developed in my younger years — a career that demanded the job be done while singing and dancing through life! I must mention how grateful I continue to be to have such an incredibly loving and supportive family—my husband Doug and our three children, Sammy, Kyle and Lyndsay. 

 

Today, it’s with deep gratitude (and a deep breath) that I’m announcing my retirement from directing Music Together Sing and Groove following our Spring 2023 semester. I’ve been taking the past several months to thoughtfully plan how best to provide our beloved families with a smooth path forward so you all can continue to receive the same quality program you love.

 

 

If you’ve been enjoying classes at our Vienna and Fairfax locations, I’d like to introduce you to Ashley Scott (click here to find out more about Ashley), director of Little Steps Music LLC. She’ll be adding our locations to her center that has been running since 1996. Anne Whitten will be teaching weekdays for Ashley’s center in our current Vienna and Fairfax locations: Cuppett Performing Arts Center and Sherwood Community Center. I will continue to teach for Ashley on Saturdays at the Vienna Community Center.

 

If you’ve been enjoying classes at our Herndon location, Gail Wright Lee (click here to find out more about Gail), the owner of Music Spectrum School for the Arts will become the new director of that location and the name might very well remain as Music Together Sing and Groove (TBD). Jennifer Nickl will continue to teach her classes there and Robin Restrepo plans to return to teaching there in Fall 2023.

 

Come join us for a celebration:

I’d like to invite any of our past families, teachers and administrative staff to join us on June 10, 2023 from 3:30-5:00pm in the Community Room (lower level) at the Vienna Community Center. Our staff will be there and we’d love to hear some of your favorite memories and take your suggestions to sing some of your favorite Music Together songs.

 

To all of the friends I’ve made through the years, thank you for believing in our program and giving me the opportunity to help make your lives more musical!

 

Linda