Meet our staff and appreciate the positive difference this gifted and diverse group of professionals can have on your family.

Janice Bond – Interim Director/Licensed Kindermusik Educator

Janice joined our staff after becoming an instructor in 1998.  At FBC, she is a member of the Connections Singers, directs the children’s preschool choir, and is an active member of several ministry and leadership teams.  In the past, Janice has volunteered through CHADD to support families affected by AD/HD by presenting education through parenting classes and in-service training for teachers and families throughout the southeast. Her previous roles in the business industry included an administrative trainer as well as an information technology liaison.  Janice teaches Village, Our Time, Imagine That!, Young Child, Family Time and Adventures classes.  She and her husband have two sons and two grandsons.

In her own words, Janice offers these insights, “Kindermusik brings together two of my favorite passions:  music and children.  Since my initial introduction to Kindermusik was as a parent, this perspective has influenced my teaching style and relationships to the families I am privileged to serve.  I bring animation, enthusiasm and energy to the classroom in a joyful way that engages children and uplifts the parents, grandparents, and other adults.  During each class, I anticipate something wonderful is going to happen and that my faith is reflected at all times.  At FBC, we want every family that participates in Kindermusik to feel special and treasured as a child of God.  As an instructor, I hope the musical activities we do in class to carry over to your family life at home, in the car, wherever you go!  Please come and experience the amazing impact Kindermusik will have on your child’s development through beautiful symphonic music, rhythmic words, simple dance steps, imaginative interactions, and fun, sometimes silly movements.  You may discover that music touches your heart and soul as well!” 

Karen Camp - Licensed Kindermusik Educator

Karen received her Kindermusik license in 2004.  In High School, she had the privilege of singing in All-East and All-State Chorus and later went to her church college where she took two years of Elementary Education.  Karen is active in the children’s and music ministries as well as teaching Sunday School.  In addition, she taught Kindermusik previously at another local program.  She and her husband have a son and a daughter.  Karen teaches Our Time, Imagine That!, and Adventures classes.

Karen shares her personal views on Kindermusik, “I became involved in Kindermusik when my son started taking classes at another facility.  I knew this was an incredible program and something that I really wanted to do because it would combine my love for teaching my love for children, and m love for music.  I am so glad that I decided to teach Kindermusik because there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the smiles on everyone’s face and knowing that we will have so much fun growing together.”

Melody Day - Licensed Kindermusik Educator

Melody moved to Chattanooga in 1998 after completing her music degree in piano performance at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.  It wasn’t long after Melody was introduced to Kindermusik and was certified to teach in 2002.  We gladly welcome her as an experienced teacher from another local program and she appreciates the balance of professionalism with ministry at FBC.  Melody also enjoys directing the children’s choir at another local church and she also assists in leading worship there as pianist.  She stays quite busy being a wife as well as a mom to her young daughter and son.  Melody teaches Village and Family Time classes.

Melody recalls very fondly her first experience with Kindermusik; “I remember every Thursday afternoon the Kindermusik class met next door to my piano studio.  I would hear their happy songs and it would draw me in – I really wanted to participate in their class.  As I watched the children and parents leave so happy and gratified after their experience, I knew I wanted to teach Kindermusik!  It still amazes me to watch how each child changes and grows in a safe and secure environment prepared just for them!  I love seeing how music, the beautiful gift that God has given us, can be used to truly develop the ‘whole child’ and I get to be just a small part of it!”  Melody looks forward to meeting each family and experiencing Kindermusik together. 

Kim Gorrill - Licensed Kindermusik Educator

We welcome Kim as one of our new educators.  In 1998, she graduated with a BA from Moody Bible Institute.  While living in the Chicagoland area, she worked in the school system and was very involved with the youth in their church.  After relocating with her husband to Chattanooga a few years ago, she worked again as a paraprofessional until the birth of their daughter in 2007.  She was very excited when God opened the door for her to teach Kindermusik.  Kim currently teaches Our Time.

Here are some of Kim’s thoughts on Kindermusik:  “When I first heard of Kindermusik I was really drawn to the fact that Kindermusik isn’t just trying to make your child a musician, but it goes deeper and beyond that.  It uses the gift and power of music, along with a variety of activities to enhance your child’s learning now and in their future.  I really liked that this program had my daughter’s total interest in mind—her thinking and understanding, her language development, socially and emotionally, and her physically development.  I love to watch her at home as she gets so excited to listen to “her” music and how she plays and interacts, remembering, even at her young age, what we’ve done in class.  I enjoyed going as a new mom:  getting out for a bit, meeting other moms and having support and encouragement from them, giving her time to interact with other children, and the sweet moments that occurred between us in class. Those times are priceless.  I’m so excited, and feel privileged to minister to families, and to be a part of giving similar experiences and opportunities to parents and their children.”

Jennie Leano - Licensed Kindermusik Educator

Jennie is an active member at FBC serving as a Worship Leader, Choir Member and Children’s Choir Leader.  She is one of our new teachers and has recently completed her certification training.  Currently employed in the financial market, Jennie is very excited to pursue her passion for working with children and music.  She and her husband are expecting their first child near the end of the year.  Jennie teaches our evening Imagine That! classes.

Frances Marandi - Licensed Kindermusik Educator

Frances joined our staff in 2002.  In addition to Kindermusik classes, she sings with the Sanctuary Choir, helps with the younger school-aged choir and serves as music leader for Sunday Evening Worship.  Frances also teaches children in Sunday school as part of FBC’s rotation model and is involved in several other areas of ministry.  Prior to choosing to increase her involvement in Kindermusik, Frances directed a local Parents’ Day Out program and now works as Music Assistant at First Baptist.  She holds a BA in Music History from UT Knoxville and studied voice privately.  She and her husband have three daughters and one granddaughter.  Frances has previously taught various Kindermusik curricula, but her current focus is teaching Young Child classes.

Frances delights in sharing some of her personal thoughts. “Children and music have both been an integral part of my life practically since birth.  Whether providing childcare for scores of children or singing the works of great composers, I find myself centered in the sharing of music with children.  Music allows all of us to express emotions for which we have no words.  Being with children gives us the pleasure of experiencing music with abandon.  It is exhilarating to watch children blossom as they discover themselves and God’s creation through the joys of making music.” 

Rusha Woodson - Licensed Kindermuisk Educator

We are so pleased to have Rusha as a returning Kindermusik educator.  She is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in vocal performance.  She also previously taught voice privately at FBC School of Fine Arts and is the former director of another local Kindermusik program.  In addition, Rusha has taught music in private school.  As we welcome Rusha back, she continues to be active in the music and children’s ministries of her church.  Rusha and her husband have a son and daughter.  She currently teaches Imagine That! classes.

Rusha shares what Kindermusik means to her. “When I was first introduced to Kindermusik, I was asked to observe a class to see if I was interested in becoming an educator.  I instantly fell in love with the program.  Watching a father rock his baby in his arms, gazing into those tiny eyes, while singing a lullaby is something that changes them both forever.  I wanted to be a part of helping families connect through music.  One aspect I like about the program is that the whole purpose behind Kindermusik is getting families involved in music and having fun together, no matter what their musical ability.  God has gifted me in music and working with children so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to use those gifts.  I really enjoy getting to know the children and their families and seeing the class actually become like a big family.  I am honored and look forward to teaching and serving the families at First Baptist.”

Angie Nye – Administrative Assistant

Angie is a 1998 graduate of UTC, with a B.S. in Business Administration:  Accounting.  After leaving the world of corporate accounting to become a full time mom, she discovered our program and became a Kindermusik parent.  Both of her daughters have been in the program here since they were only months old and Angie says that “finding this Kindermusik program and their teacher were truly god-sends in our lives”.  Angie and her husband are the proud parents of two little girls.  They spend most of their free time out on the disc golf courses in town or enjoying any other kid-friendly activity they can find.

Angie says that “working with this Kindermusik program is truly exciting to me because I’ve already seen and benefited from the end product that these educators put out there.  Now I get to help behind the scenes with the continued success of the program and tell even more of my friends why they should bring their kids to our program!  It’s no mystery that music is such an integral part of a child’s development and I’m overcome with excitement that I get to be a part of a program that has proven results and has helped so many kids including my own.”