JENNIE AND MARCIA KRATZ

Co-founders and Directors, Asheville, NC

Marcia and Jennie have brought music to children and families for nearly 25 years. Marcia (she/her) quit the corporate world and found the joy of teaching music classes in 1999, with 3 year-old Jennie (she/her) by her side. Her classes quickly grew, and in 2004 she opened her own Kids' MusicRound center in New Jersey, for which she later won the Best of Philly award. She continued teaching in NJ for 13 years until moving to Florida where she taught at the Schoolhouse Children's Museum until COVID moved her classes online. Once in Asheville, Marcia partnered up with daughter Jennie to launch The Family Music Class!

Jennie grew up in the music classroom. She trained to become a music teacher with Kids' MusicRound at just 16 years old, at which time she also started learning how to run a small business. Jennie studied child development, education, and family studies both in the US and abroad. Since graduating from Smith College, she's worked as a Family Care Professional and she now uses music on a daily basis as a nanny in Asheville.  

The Family Music Class is the result of our combined decades of experience in music and child development. It's also the result of a world that looks very different than it did 25, or even 5, years ago. We wanted to create an environment where fun, love, and music come together to build a Music Family. Our curriculum includes a variety of traditional, original, and popular music with a special focus on social-emotional learning, and inclusivity and representation from many artists and cultures. We love welcoming the whole family, from the youngest babies to the greatest grandparents. The Family Music Class welcomes and celebrates all families - queer, disabled, POC, immigrant, foster, etc. We only ask that you are as excited as we are about building a diverse Music Family!

September 2024 Update: Marcia has retired and is passing the torch to Jennie! As of the Fall 2024 semester, Jennie has taken over all teaching and operations while still relying heavily on Marcia for her help and expertise. 

jennifer osborne 

Director, South Jersey

Jennifer Osborne developed a love for music at a very early age sitting by her father’s side looking up at him playing the guitar, hearing him sing. Music was a joyful part of her childhood and has carried over into a love of sharing that joy with children. With a background in neurological nursing, Jen is very familiar with the science of brain development and is enthusiastic about the positive effects of music on children’s intellectual, mental, emotional, social, and physical growth. After many years of teaching toddlers in a preschool setting, Jen decided to focus specifically on what she loves best about teaching: sharing a love of music with children. She trained for almost 2 years under Miss Marcia Kratz and the Kids' MusicRound(TM) curriculum. Now in her own classes, Miss Jen loves exploring the magic of music with children and their families, and looks forward to growing with the community for many years to come!