Our Teachers and Musicians!
| Cindy Kresch, Director [email] | |
 | Cindy Kresch grew up playing many instruments, with cello and piano being her primary passions. After college and graduate school, she entered the corporate world, but after having her first child, Cindy rediscovered her love for music in a mommy & me class with her son. She was then asked to teach, and for the last fifteen years Cindy has been leading family music classes, first in Montclair, and then in Upper Saddle River. In 2007, Cindy brought Music For Aardvarks to Ridgewood, and since 2008 she and co-Director Sean Kiely have expanded the program to include three locations in Waldwick, Glen Rock, and Westwood. She loves bringing the joy of music and play to all the families in her classes. Cindy lives in Allendale with her two beautiful children and she dedicates this program to the memory of her husband Ken, who relentlessly encouraged her not just to sing and play, but to share her love of music with others. |
| Sean Kiely, Co-Director [email] | |
 | Sean Kiely has been playing guitar since childhood and teaching music since 2002. He graduated from NHRHS in Allendale in 2000, and earned degrees in Music Studies & Creative Writing from William Paterson University. Sean can hardly believe he’s been teaching family music & movement classes for 15 years, but time really does fly when you’re doing something this FUN. His favorite part of teaching is watching kids get comfortable enough in class to show their wonderful, unique personalities in a gentle and welcoming musical environment. In addition to his busy schedule with A Hum Music, he writes, records, and performs music which is available far & wide (seankielymusic.com) and is an in-demand guitarist and producer in the NY/NJ acoustic music scene. @sean0sean |
| Merri Kapiloff, Teacher | |
 | Merri Kapiloff grew up singing in choirs and performing in musical theatre. She spent her undergraduate and graduate years studying Child Development, Child Life and Parent Education. She has spent many years working with children and families in a hospital setting. Merri has always had an appreciation for the role music can play in a child's development. Merri has been teaching Mommy and Me classes at the Glen Rock Jewish Center for the last several years. She lives in Glen Rock with her husband, 2 sons, a guinea pig and a rabbit. Merri is very excited to be teaching Music for Aardvarks! |
| Laurel Nakai, Teacher | |
 | Laurel Nakai loves to sing (and you can sing this bio... to the tune of Yankee-doodle, seriously try it!) She writes songs and sometimes books, she loves cake and dancing. Her guitar is made of wood, her socks are never matching! JK... Laurel is a singer-songwriter, music and literacy educator, and mom of two boys. Some of her music can be found on KidLit TV, where she created several theme songs for their children's book inspired shows. Outside of A Hum, she blends her love of books and music as a children’s program coordinator and storyteller at libraries and preschools. She is a strong advocate for children’s rights and is on the local advisory committee for the Newark chapter of KIND (Kids in Need of Defense). Her favorite thing about being a music teacher with A Hum Music, is creating a joyful experience for families to bond and appreciate each child’s unique gifts. |
| Tom Kiely, Guitarist & Teacher | |
 | Tom graduated with a Music degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey, concentrating in Performance and minoring in Theater. He first began playing guitar with A Hum Music in 2012, and has backed up every teacher over the past 10 years! In 2015, Tom began teaching classes as well, and loves both leading classes as well as backing up on guitar. He has had a deep love of music, instilled and taught mostly through his family and the educators of the Allendale school districts, for as long as he has memories. “Working with A Hum Music has given me the opportunity to share the gift of music to many wonderful families throughout Bergen County. I am grateful to be a part of such a fun and rewarding musical experience.” |
| Eddie Kuri, Guitarist | |
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| Pat Van Dyke, Guitarist | |
 | Pat Van Dyke is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and band leader. Equally comfortable behind the drums as he is writing at the piano, Pat has released a number of records to an international audience in recent years. His original music has been featured on TV networks such as FOX, NBC, MTV, VH1, & Comedy Central and he has performed at world-class venues like The Blue Note Jazz Club, NJPAC, and the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Aside from playing guitar with A-Hum music, Pat maintains a busy teaching schedule with private students on drums and piano. Pat is a father of 4 and enjoys pizza, potato chips, and bike rides. His favorite color is blue, and his favorite movie is The Burbs. |