About Us
Musically Minded has been “awakening the rhythm of life” in children ages birth-5 through meaningful interactions with music all around the Puget Sound since September 2003.
How it all began…
Jocelyn Manzanarez, owner and founder of Musically Minded, held her first class in Maple Valley, Washington with just six babies and their moms. She cultivated the babies’ innate musical abilities and interests through play, song, movement and love. She knew her quest to touch as many young children as possible through music had begun.
In 2004, Musically Minded began offering classes exclusively in childcare centers and in-home day cares. By embedding this quality music-making experience into the school day, working parents can still expose their children to music without having to take away from valuable family time.This offering can sometimes be the reason a parent chooses one childcare over another.
Musically Minded has now grown to reach over 2,000 children each week and continues to grow thanks to a team of talented teachers and amazing partnerships with childcare providers who understand the value of music for young children.
JOCELYN MANZANAREZ, M.M.ED.
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Jocelyn Manzanarez received her BA from the University of Montana in Music Education and her MA in Music Education from the University of Washington. She is a certified K-12 music educator in Washington state as well as a Washington state S.T.A.R.S. certified trainer for childcare providers. Jocelyn is the founder of Musically Minded, a Seattle based early childhood music education program that provides weekly music classes at childcare centers and preschools both in person and virtually. She is a frequent presenter at conferences throughout the Pacific Northwest teaching teachers how to keep circle times fresh and fun through active, hands-on learning. Jocelyn is the author of Circle Time Success, an early childhood music curriculum to help teachers take the overwhelm out of circle time by providing engaging activities and practical strategies that bring joy back to teaching.
Meet the Team
ROSIE BERRY, MT-BC
MUSIC SPECIALIST
Rosie Barry is a Board Certified Music Therapist. She graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy.
She has been working with Musically Minded since 2018 teaching music in the Seattle area.
This past year, Rosie took the opportunity to work as a lead preschool teacher where she strengthened important skills like flexibility, patience, and classroom management. She looks forward to using this experience in her work back with Musically Minded.
Rosie prides herself on creating lessons that allow children at all ages and abilities to be successful and achieve both musical and non-musical goals.
LAURA ARNOLD, BME
MUSIC SPECIALIST
Laura Arnold grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and has always enjoyed making music. She attended Wartburg College (Wavery, IA), graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education with majors in Music Education and Music Therapy.
Laura lived for almost a decade in Alaska and for five years in northwest Montana where she worked as a music therapist for children with special needs, taught private piano and voice lessons, and was involved in local choral ensembles. She moved to the Seattle area with her husband and daughter in 2013 and immediately joined the Musically Minded team. She also provides music at her church, and sings with Resonate, a semi-professional a cappella octet.
Laura enjoys bringing her teaching experience, music therapy background, and love of music and children to early childhood classrooms through Musically Minded.
Kate Schneider, MT-BC
MUSIC SPECIALIST
Kate is a Board Certified Music Therapist. She grew up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. Kate moved to Boise Idaho in 2015 where she practiced music therapy in a pediatric therapy clinic for seven years. She is passionate about supporting the unique ways every child can connect and create within music. She is excited to bring her diverse experience within the therapy setting to Musically Minded early childhood classes.
Ella Hicks
MUSIC SPECIALIST
Ella (they/them) is a recent graduate from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Education, Communities, and Organizations. They have been playing music since they were very young and have learned to play over 8 instruments since they were 6-years-old! They are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring joy and kindness to all the classrooms where they work. In their free time, they enjoy hiking, crocheting, and playing music with friends!
Amy Daley , MT-BC
MUSIC SPECIALIST
Amy Daley (she/her) is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator in the Seattle area.
She has a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Western Michigan University, and completed her internship in music therapy at The Hochstein School in Rochester, NY.
While interning at the school, she provided music therapy services to a range of individuals ages 0-90.
She is especially passionate about making learning and music fun for children. While in the classroom, she creates a musical environment that is engaging and dynamic. She is excited to share meaningful, musical moments with Musically Minded’s early childhood classes.
Join Our Team and get PAID to PLAY!
Musically Minded is always interested in connecting with potential team members.
If you think you have what it takes, contact us today!