Joy Galliford, Ph.D., is the Director of Development and an Instructor for South Florida Music. She received the prestigious 2010 Florida College Music Educator of the Year Award from the Florida Music Educators Association and is recognized for her research and presentations specializing in the area of early childhood at the national, state and local levels.

“Dr. Joy,” as the children call her, has been a private, public and college music educator for over thirty-four years. She holds certifications in the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, Musikgarten Curriculum, National Guild of Piano Teachers as well as a Florida Child Care and Education Program Director Credential and Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate for Music K-12. Galliford is also a songwriter and the co-author of Experience the Music, a literacy-based curriculum using music activities that engage children in singing, focused listening, movement and the playing of rhythm instruments.

Galliford, as well as her young musicians, have been featured on several local television programs such as NBC 6 South Florida Today and Telemundo discussing the merits of early childhood music education. She is known in our community for her dedication and willingness to help parents increase their educational knowledge and understanding as they seek to help their child reach their fullest potential. Music is life for Dr. Joy!

Alaina Lorenzo is the Director of Operations and an Instructor for South Florida Music. She holds a Bachelor of Music with a double major in both Music Education and Instrumental Performance as well as a Master of Music in Music Education all from the University of Miami, where she studied clarinet, voice, and specialized in early childhood music education. Mrs. Lorenzo has more than 8 years of teaching experience that includes being an early childhood music specialist, VPK Lead Teacher, chorus teacher, private studio teacher and elementary music educator.

Lorenzo holds certifications in the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, Musikgarten Curriculum, National Guild of Piano Teachers as well as a Florida Child Care and Education Program Staff Credential and Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate for Music K-12.

Being a young mother and a native of Miami, “Mrs. Alaina” believes in the benefit of providing children with dual language learning from the very beginning. This belief has led her to start her journey as a songwriter and co-author for the new Tu y Yo Music Series. This bilingual curriculum is designed for toddlers and includes the use of both English and Spanish languages by using music activities that engage children in singing, focused listening, movement and the playing of rhythm instruments. Mrs. Lorenzo hopes to be able to inspire children and parents in this new endeavor to provide each child with a rich experience in both music and language that work together to help each child reach their fullest potential!

Mrs. Karen Flanary, Administrative Director and Instructor for South Florida Music, was born and raised in suburban Chicago before moving to Florida to attend the University of Miami. She received her Bachelor’s of Music degree in 2008, and then taught middle school band, chorus, and piano in Daytona Beach before returning to South Florida in 2011. At that time, she turned her focus to early childhood music education and establishing her private music studio. “Ms. Karen” has since been teaching group classes, as well as private piano and wind instruments.

A Musikgarten certified teacher, Mrs. Flanary is also a certified member of the American College of Musicians Piano Guild, as well as President of the Miami-Dade chapter of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association. She maintains her Florida teaching certificate for Music, K-12, and her primary instrument is the flute. When not teaching, she enjoys spending time cooking, traveling, spending time with her husband and pets, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.

Mrs. Tara Collado holds a degree in Music, with a concentration in Classical Voice, from the University of Miami. She also has a Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate for Music K-12. She has taught music to a wide variety of ages, ranging from Pre-K and Elementary Band and Middle and High School chorus. She has completed her Musikgarten certification while team teaching with South Florida Music.

Tara has also been a professional performer at theme parks such as Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL and the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, FL. She also plays the guitar and piano and is proficient in musical theater and classical voice. Currently, she leads worship at Redeemer Church Miami and loves directing music for the Vacation Bible School, as well as special events for the kid’s program.

Tara believes in the power of music to aid in the overall development of a child, as well as its ability to stimulate intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth. She has had both her daughters involved in the South Florida Music program since they were infants. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her two girls, running, and of course – singing!

Rhonda Kremer is a local musician with over six years of professional performing experience. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Chicago College of Performing Arts and a Master of Music degree from the University of Miami. She served as the horn instructor for the Tlalpan Youth Symphony in Mexico City for one year and has given masterclasses in both Spanish and English. In addition to her horn instruction, she has worked for the Donna E. Shalala MusicReach program at the University of Miami for three years. As a part of that program, she works with both kids and adults of all ages, engaging them in the music-making process and sharing the joys of music.

Rhonda has completed training and obtained her Musikgarten certification while team teaching in the South Florida Music program. In addition, she is in the process of completing her Artist’s Certificate in French Horn performance from the University of Miami.