Music has always played a significant role in Cathy Huser’s life. When she and her husband, Kevin, started a family in the early 1990’s, Huser knew she wanted to instill her love of music in her children.

In March 1996, when her oldest child, Brian, was five, Huser attended a seminar on Kindermusik, an international program that introduces young children – including newborns—to music.

"I was so impressed with the quality of the program, I decided I wanted to teach it," Huser said. "It is in my opinion the highest-quality music program for children out there."

Just six months after the seminar, Huser started Kindermusik of Cleveland in Shaker Heights, where she lives with her family. Today she has studios in Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker, the Mandel Jewish Community Center in Beachwood and the Mayfield JCC in Cleveland Heights.

This fall, Huser opened her fourth studio in Wellness Works in Solon, a health and fitness club on Solon Road.

"The Solon area is filled with thousands of young families," Huser said. "I think it’s an area where there is not many music programs available."

Last year, Kindermusik International named Huser’s program one of the top 25 in the United States. That’s not bad, considering that worldwide there are 4,500 certified Kindermusik educators, most in this country.

Huser offered two reasons for her success. "I have excellent teachers, and I set very high standards for them," Huser said. "Also, I think we make sure the teachers communicate with families. And I return all phone calls and e-mails as soon as I can, and give as much individual attention as possible."

Huser’s skill in music has also been a key. A trained singer since childhood, she performed in various choruses and choirs throughout her school years, and was frequently spotlighted as a soloist.

Huser still sings with community choruses and other music groups. She has performed at the Cleveland Music School Settlement and she recently was a guest vocalist with the Men’s Singer’s Club.

When it came time for an education, however, Huser opted for business. She earned an associate’s degree in merchandising and studied business administration and marketing at Arizona State University.

"I think it helped me a lot," Huser said. "In talking to other Kindermusik teachers around the country, some have music degrees and phenomenal musical backgrounds. But they don’t know how to run a business."

Started in Germany, Kindermusik came to the United States in the 1970’s.