Music Together & Kindermusik Instructors
Jane Smolens – Director/Instructor
Kindermusik® and Music Together®
Jane has been a Music Educator since 1986. She received her Bachelor
of Arts Degree from Oberlin College in 1980, and later received her
M.Ed. from the University of Utah with a focus on Music Education and
Curriculum Development. She also studied at the Dalcroze School of Music
in New York City. Jane completed her Music Together® training in
1999 and her Kindermusik® training in 2000. She has been a Music
Specialist on the preschool and elementary level and has many years
of early childhood teaching experience. Jane has been a research assistant
for The Mozart Effect for Children by Don Campbell and has taught private
piano lessons to children for 15 years. Her 10-year-old son has been
in music classes since infancy, allowing his mom to experience the value
of early childhood music classes as a parent as well as a music educator.
Renee Cohn Jones brings her combined talents as a Clinical Child Psychologist and Professional Clown to her Music Together classes. Renee received her PsyD from the University of Hartford in 2000 and worked with children and families in a counseling capacity for many years in. “Jalapeña” the clown has been bringing joy and laughter to families since 1995. As a Child Psychologist, Renee recognizes the importance of Music Education for young children. As a Music Together mom for many years, she recognizes the value and integrity of the Music Together Program from a professional and personal perspective. Renee’s love of music began as a child growing up in a musical family. She plays the violin, piano and currently teaches beginning piano to children. Her favorite instrument is her voice which she looks forward to sharing with children as they discover their own musical voice and expression. Additional teaching/professional endeavors include being a Hebrew School Educator, and national speaker on topics including Humor and Parenting Issues. Renee has enjoyed Music Together classes so much with her two children that she has decided to become a Music Together teacher and is excited to help expand this wonderful program in the Fort Collins area!
Therese Cooper graduated from Uppsala University in Sweden in 1996 with a degree in education. She has always been
involved in different kinds of music making, from band and orchestra to choir and voice lessons. For the last four years
she has been playing African style marimbas, something she enjoys immensely. She met her American husband, who was
then an exchange student, while at college. Her family moved from Sweden to the Boulder area in 1998. As a new mom
she quickly found the Music Together program for herself and her two children. She enjoyed it so much that when her
own children graduated from the program, she decided to become a teacher herself. Therese got her license to teach Music
Together in 2006. She brings her joy and enthusiasm to the program and is very excited to get to know you and make music together.
