Holly Lesnick:

Holly Lesnick has had a love for music her entire life. She is a graduate of Florida State University School of Music in Voice, and holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology. Holly is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Owner/Director of Grow and Sing Studios. She has been teaching Kindermusik classes since November, 2002, and has loved every minute of it. Her studio has achieved Maestro status 4 years running from Kindermusik International and is in the Conductors Circle Top 1% in the world. Her program won "Best Music Class" for 2008 and 2009 and "Best Party Entertainer" for 2010 in the Orlando Nickelodeon Parent's Picks Awards.

She is the Area Developer of 16 counties in Florida for Kindermusik International, and the Local Representative of the Central Florida Partnership of Kindermusik Educators Chapter. She is the creator of the DVD "Connect Through Music". Her mission is to reach as many families as possible with Kindermusik. Holly has previously worked as a Music Therapist, Activities Director and Private Vocal Instructor, sharing her high energy and love for music with high quality leadership, guidance and education.

Holly is a proud mother of 2 who sincerely believes in the value of early childhood music education. She looks forward to continuing her Kindermusik journey for years to come while spending the rest of her time at home raising her daughter Anna and her son Aiden. She is honored to be part of such an amazing program and a large international network of licensed Kindermusik educators.

Katrina Claydon:

Katrina Claydon has developed herself personally and professionally over the years. She became a member of the British Ballet Organisation (BBO) at a very early age and a qualified dance instructor at the age of 18 (AUKAPTD) teaching ballet, tap, modern and gymnastic dance to both children and adults. She moved to Saudi Arabia in 1992 where she taught Physical Education and Swimming (ASA) to children based at a British School in Saudi Arabia, and opened up a dance school within the expatriate community offering many activities for children and adults to participate in. This included organizing, choreographing, directing and producing dance/musical shows, Sports Events and Charity Events.

Katrina has always been passionate about her work with children and for the past 4.5 years, Katrina has been blessed to have been teaching Kindermusik initially in Orlando, Florida, then back in the United Kingdom where she was awarded Maestro Conductor status, listing her in the top 1% of Kindermusik educators worldwide. She now finds herself back in Orlando where her Kindermusik journey first began, and is excited to be joining the Grow and Sing team in Orlando, where she will be able to continue her work in sharing with families the features and benefits that Kindermusik has to offer. Katrina’s life and inspiration is her family, and the many wonderful families that she has met through her work, and she believes that “KINDERMUSIK IS THE SINGLE BEST CHOICE YOU CAN MAKE FOR YOUR CHILD”

Lisa Petko:

Lisa was influenced by music at a very early age. Family gatherings seemed to always end up at the piano with voices blending in perfect harmony. She majored in Music Education in College, Vocal emphasis, and trained at Yamaha's Music In Education Program. She sings, plays the piano and ukulele. Lisa taught a granted position to a local inner-city school through VH1's Save the Music Foundation. While teaching MIE curriculum to Pre-K-1st graders, she developed a passion for teaching "little" ones music. Through this program she saw firsthand the positive effect music can have on a child's over all development and education. Lisa is a Wife and Mother of two beautiful children, Caleb, and Hannah. She and her husband are Associate Pastors of a local Church where she Leads Worship and loves to teach the children how to use the "Fine Art's" in Ministry.

Leslie Watson:

Leslie Watson has been in love with music since she can remember! Raised in church, she started singing when she was 4 and hasn’t stopped since. Leslie attended Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers as a Theater major where she played numerous rolls. Leslie has worked in Osceola County as a literacy paraprofessional teaching children intensive reading skills. After her daughter was born she found Kindermusik and fell in love. Leslie sees firsthand how important Kindermusik is for creating a foundation on lifelong love of music and learning. She loves watching the joy on families faces when they experience Kindermusik.

Anna Wallace:

Anna Wallace remembers the initial moment she realized her love for singing as a young child and it just keeps growing! Now, her goal is to share her passion for music with others and she believes it is never to early to start that process. She has been studying classical singing since 2000 and graduated from the University of Central Florida where she studied music and psychology. She has been teaching voice lessons privately since 2008 and has experience teaching basic song writing as well. Anna believes wholeheartedly in the therapeutic and healing elements of music, art and movement and how they aide in building strong cognitive and motor skills. Anna feels truly blessed to be a part of something as special and genuine as Kindermusik!

Rachael Joachim:

Rachael Joachim's affinity for children and their development match her love of music. She earned her Bachelor's in Music Education and Voice from Florida State University. Rachael taught many years of elementary music in Orange County and has been a member of the Orlando Opera Company Chorus for six years.

Now she feels blessed to bring her knowledge as a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and member of Grow and Sing Studios team to teach families the value and magic music can bring to their children's lives. Rachael has seen firsthand the impact musical activities have on such an early age by bringing her two children to Kindermusik classes since they have been infants. She has been teaching Kindermusik classes since January 2004. Rachael has the best job in the world, watching you and your child grow and learn together through Kindermusik!

Richard Peeples:

Richard Peeples plays over 400 shows a year for children and their families. Richard was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and moved to Corinth, a small town in Mississippi, in sixth grade. He played in rock bands for many years, through high school and past college. Richard worked at Walt Disney World in Orlando, and also spent two summers as a ranger for the National Park Service in Colorado. For five years, Richard was a storyteller for the Orange County Florida Library. Mr. Richard has released two children’s albums, and now appears regularly with The Pound for full-on rocking for the kids. Richard has now joined the team at Grow and Sing Studios to teach “Music for Aardvarks” classes, and bring the very popular tunes featured on Nick Jr, and written by David Weinstone, to families in Orlando.

Staff photos by Shelby Finkelstein of Simply Shelby Photography