Cathy Huser, Director: Miss Cathy co-owned a retail business for 11 years with her mother where she was mostly known as “Cookie’s daughter.” Searching for her true identity, she found Kindermusik, and now her mother is known as “Miss Cathy’s Mommy.” Cathy started Kindermusik of Cleveland in 1996 and has been recognized as a top 1% Kindermusik Program worldwide every year since 2000. Cathy is married and has 2 college-age children, who constantly tell her that “We can’t go anywhere without someone knowing Miss Cathy.” She now goes out with make-up on and hair combed, just in case!

Cathy sang to her dolls and her dog, Herkie, when she was little and decided a group setting might be fun. So she sang in choirs in Junior High, High School, and College. Cathy studied voice, is a soloist, and has sung with many groups in Northeast Ohio, including The Western Reserve Chorale, PAND, The Renaissance Feasts at Stan Hewitt Hall, The Cleveland Music School Settlement Chamber Choir and Madrigal Singers.

Cathy loves singing in the car with her husband and children. They are quite accomplished at carrying their own parts in a round! Her 20 yr. old son is a wonderful pianist and sings in an a cappella group at Swarthmore College. Her daughter (a Kindermusik of Cleveland graduate) has a terrific ear for pitches, as well as a dynamite tennis serve! Her cats are not able to meow in harmony, but she loves them anyway. Cathy loves that Kindermusik reaches every child’ s learning style and she sees the tremendous impact that a continuing musical education can have on a child’ s development.

Debbie Laukiavich: Miss Deb has been teaching Kindermusik since 1997. However, her musical adventures started at a very young age—she and her sister used to put on musical shows for the neighborhood. Not sure her business acumen was all there as they used to pay the neighborhood kids a penny to come and watch the shows! So you might not see Deb doing too much administration work for us!

Deb took violin lessons in elementary school, but really loved getting out on the ice where she was a competitive figure skater. She still loves roller-blading at the park, while listening to music. She claims she can’ t be happy without combining music and movement. No wonder she gets her classes singing and dancing so easily! Deb also took piano lessons and sang at church, which she continues to do today. Deb is continuing her education in Early Childhood proving that even though she has 3 children, 2 dogs and a husband, there is always more to learn. 

Kristi Mathews: Born and raised in Tiffin, Ohio, Miss Kristi has loved music her entire life. As a child, she loved to sing and dance along with her favorite musical groups, which eventually led to a lifelong love of performing and musical theatre. She graduated with a B.A. in Music and Theatre from Heidelberg College in 2005 and an M.A. in Theatre from Kent State University in 2007.

In addition to being a Kindermusik Teacher, Kristi also loves to teach theatre classes and direct musicals. Kristi truly believes in the power of music to teach and heal just as it does for her. Furthermore, she believes that music has the unique ability to bring families together regardless of age, talent, and busy schedules. Kristi lives in Cleveland Heights with her beautiful daughter and KIndermusik student, Rosie, and her wonderful husband, Jason, whom she met while participating in her first college musical theatre production— proving that if you stick with music, it can change your life! 

Leanne Smith: Miss Leanne, or “ Lee” has a Bachelor of Arts from Miami of Ohio. After graduating, 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.

Performing has taken a detour as she and husband Jeff are raising her twins, a boy and a girl. She has experienced Kindermusik also as a parent: her children participated in all phases of the Kindermusik Curriculum—Village, Our Time, Imagine That, and Young Child. Leanne is amazed at the musical foundation that her children received in each level of Kindermusik. She really understands the developmental stages of each level, so feel free to ask her about it!

Leanne grew up in theatre, performing at The Crate and Canvas Theatre in Canton, OH. Yes, she performed all summer in a barn which is why her animal sounds are so awesome! Miss Leanne says that she is really becoming her mother, who was the Miss Romper Room in Chicago. Teaching Kindermusik comes pretty close. 

Priscilla Kaczuk: Miss Priscilla has extensive experience as a Speech/Language Pathologist and, before retiring, enjoyed the last 9 years of her career providing home-based services to children birth to three and their families. She earned a Master’s Degree from Bowling Green State University in Speech Pathology and celebrates the importance of family interaction, routine, and play in a child’s language development. She is excited to share her lifelong love of music to now help families recognize how music can make those elements more fun and beautiful.

While growing up, Priscilla had fun plunking out songs by ear on the piano and singing at the top of her lungs. She sang while her grandma accompanied her, sang in the church choir, and sang along with the radio in her home. She currently lends her voice to several singing groups and ALWAYS sings for fun. Priscilla lives in Solon with her musician husband, Ed, and enjoys precious time with her three grown children and two “future rock star” grandchildren. She will gladly show you their pictures— just ask!  

Sharon Young Deutchman: Miss Sharon worked in the Hospitality business since 1977. She had three eating establishments at Beachwood Place over the past 17 years. You have probably even dined with her at some point! Since retiring from food (do we ever really stop working with food?) it took her only a few short weeks of soul-searching to realize Kindermusik would be the perfect fit for her background and personality.

Sharon ’s daughter is a Kindermusik graduate, taking classes with us from age 1 1/2 through 7 years. Some of her most memorable moments were learning how to turn a scarf into an elephant’ s nose, how to dance like a kangaroo and zebra, how to sing like a cuckoo, and how to play duets with her mommy on the glockenspiel, dulcimer and recorder.

Sharon’ s mom says she came out singing and she hasn’ t stopped yet. When she was just a toddler, she used to hum and eat at the same time rocking back and forth in her chair. Sharon’ s really not sure which she liked more, the food or the singing! It’ s funny how they both have impacted her life.

Sharon spent her formative years at Heights Youth Theatre, going on to perform in high school and college productions, numerous community theatres, as well as some summer stock theatre in Maine. She is a vocally trained singer having studied vocal performance privately for many years. She sings in her temple choir and performs for local senior venues and retirement homes. She can’ t wait to engage your child in rich musical activities, and help educate parents on the value of a musical education, which she has witnessed first hand.