Meet Our Educators

Cathy Huser, Director , has been teaching Kindermusik since 1996. Cathy has extensive vocal training and sang in various choral groups in high school and college. More recently, Cathy has been a soloist and has sung in many choral groups in Northeast Ohio including Western Reserve Chorale, PAND, the Renaissance Feasts at Stan Hewitt Hall, The Cleveland Music School Settlement Chamber Choir and Madrigal Singers. Cathy co-owned a retail business for 11 years, and retired to raise a family. She realized that Kindermusik of Cleveland would be the perfect way to bring together her love of children and music.

Colleen Hogan has been involved with music her entire life. As a young girl she sang with Cleveland’s Singing Angels, touring China, Japan and Europe with them. She currently sings with the Western Reserve Chorale and her church choir. She is also a cantor at Gesu Church in University Heights. After receiving her degree from John Carroll University, Colleen taught for 6 years at Ruffing Montessori School, before leaving to raise her family as a full-time mother. She and her husband James have 5 children. Colleen brings her experience as a seasoned mother and teacher, as well as her love of music, to young children through Kindermusik.

Debbie Laukiavich has been a licensed Kindermusik instructor since 1997. She is a vocalist and sings in her church choir. Debbie enjoys playing piano and continues to broaden her musical knowledge and skills by pursuing music education courses. She has worked with special needs children and currently teaches music in the preschool and toddler rooms at Lakeland Community College. Debbie loves seeing the positive effect Kindermusik has on her students and families.

Kristi Mathews received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Music and Theatre from Heidelberg College in 2005, and will receive her Master of Arts degree in Theatre Studies from Kent State University in August 2007. Kristi devoted much of her undergraduate life to performing in various musical theatre productions and singing ensembles, including the Heidelberg College Concert Choir. In addition to Kindermusik, Kristi enjoys teaching theatre and plans to one day run a drama program at the high school level. She and her husband Jason currently reside in Stow, and they enjoy attending music, theatre, and dance events throughout Northeast Ohio. Kristi is very excited to join the Kindermusik community and to exercise her strong belief in the power of music and the arts to enhance the lives of children while shaping countless possibilities for the future. 

Leanne Smith is excited to be a part of the Kindermusik of Cleveland team. Before moving to Cleveland Leanne spent ten years performing in many Chicago Theatres. She also worked with The Children's Theatre of Deerfield, specializing in exposing children to the theatre experience. While in Chicago, Leanne studied voice with Vince Lonergan and trained in all disciplines of dance. After receiving her BA in Theatre from Miami of Ohio she spent a summer teaching children's theatre classes. Leanne continues to perform here in Cleveland. Having been exposed to theatre, music and dance at an early age, Leanne feels this is very important for all children to experience, and Kindermusik is a wonderful way to start that exploration.

Priscilla Kaczuk comes to Kindermusik with a life-long love of music and an extensive background in Speech Pathology. She was most recently employed as a speech therapist for the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, working with children birth to three and their families in their homes. She earned a Master’s Degree from Bowling Green State University in Speech Pathology and recognizes the importance of family interaction, routine, and play in a child’s language development and how music can bind all of that together. 

Priscilla retired from speech pathology in February, 2006 and is enjoying the time to work at her voiceover career, pursue her love of photography, sing with the Master Singers Chorus and Chorale in Akron, and do those many projects that were put off till “later”. She lives with her husband, Ed, in Solon and enjoys precious time with her three grown children and two grandchildren.  She is looking forward to participating again in the lives of children and their families and helping them grow together in the love of music.