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Our Teachers
Meet our joyful teachers!
Ms. Clara
Owner and Director
As the daughter of 2 symphony musicians and a 5th generation musician, music has a deep and profound place in Clara D’Onofrio’s heart. In addition to “Ms. Clara’s” lifelong musical training, she has also earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. She feels so blessed to have found a career that allows her to combine her passion for music with her knowledge of early childhood development. Ms. Clara is dedicated to living a life full of joy, laughter, love, and fun!
“I knew from day one of my daughter’s “mini musicians” class that Ms. Clara was extremely bright, talented and professional. This class was BY FAR the most enriching of the enrichment classes in which we partook. Ms. Clara’s love of music is evident in her spirit and teaching style. She utilizes her beautiful voice and an assortment of instruments in teaching the children an array of musical terms and concepts.”
– P.M., mom of one mini musician
Ms. Nina
Nina is so excited to be able to pursue her passions of music, children, and teaching at the Brookfield Academy of Mini Musicians! She has taught preschool, nannied for children, and has two young children of her own with whom she has loved sharing the joy of music.
Nina has enjoyed singing in different Chicagoland choirs and performing with many different theatre companies. She received her degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in music from Concordia University in River Forest. She loves to share her love of music with little ones!
Ms. Nina teaches all classes on Sundays (AM), Mondays (PM), and Wednesdays (AM & PM) as well as offsite classes in local preschools and libraries. Ms. Nina also serves as our registration manager and admin.
Ms. Camryn
Coming from a long line of performers, Camryn carries on her family’s love and passion for the performing arts. Camryn has always loved anything to do with singing, dancing, and musical theatre. Just recently, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, in May 2023 with a double major in Theatre Arts Musical Theatre Concentration and Multimedia Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC). Some of her all time favorite musicals she's been a part of have been Annie where she played Annie, the Midwest Premiere of Be More Chill, and Cabaret where she played the lead role of Sally Bowles.
Ms. Camryn loves working with children and has worked as a guest dance teacher at Maywood Fine Arts for children 8+, nannied for several families with children 3 months and older, and serves as Child Care Manager for Sunday services at The First Congregational Church of Western Springs. She is excited to work with the students at BAMM!
Ms. Camryn teaches all classes on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons as well as offsite classes at local preschools and daycares.
Ms. Shelby
Shelby Marie Edwards is a teacher, actor, solo performer, and poet born and raised in Charlottesville, VA. She is excited to work with the students at BAMM!
Shelby has taught at companies like the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Poetry Center and Live Arts. Chicago Theatre Credits include The Wedding Singer (Surging Films and Theatrics), Liberators: An American Musical, Lucky: A Musical (Chicago Musical Theatre Festival); Monger (Her Story Theatre); Holly’s Ivy, Lost Home Win Home (Lifeline Theatre). Regional credits include Chicken & Biscuits (Virginia Repertory Theatre), Little Women (Virginia Theatre Festival. Film Credits include HBO’s Lovecraft Country.
Shelby received her Masters from the University of Chicago and her Bachelors from Virginia Commonwealth University.
In her free time, Shelby enjoys the simple pleasures of life, like walking along the lakefront, going to a farmers market and walking her dog, Mr. Ashe.
Ms. Shelby will teach all classes on Saturdays beginning in September.
Ms. Mary Helen
From growing up in a family of music lovers and musicians, Mary Helen has always been immersed and involved in the world of music. Starting in middle school, she performed in many school and community musical theatre productions while taking voice and piano lessons. She went on to get her BFA in musical theatre from Ball State University and is excited to continue her musical journey by sharing her love of music with children.
Mary Helen has worked as a counselor, teacher, and choreographer at children's theater programs, and she absolutely loves teaching young children and fostering their excitement about the arts. She is not only excited about learning and growing in this new role, but she also can't wait to see how much joy teaching music to young kiddos will bring her!
Ms. Mary Helen will teach all classes Thursdays and Fridays beginning in September.
Mr. Xavier (Chicago Mini Musicians)
Mr. X Is a Chicago transplant from Maryland with a passion for music, art and community. He is ecstatic to bring his passion and energy to Chicago Mini Musicians. His experiences in hospitality, nannying, and performing as a singer songwriter have motivated him to cultivate spaces that encourage self expression and inspire young creative minds to move through life creative-foot first!
Although coming from an a capella background, you can hear Mr. X around the city performing with his guitar or at a community jam session. When babysitting, the guitar is always in tow and you can expect a collaborative songwriting session or beatboxing lesson with the little ones!
Mr. X teaches in our Irving Park location (Chicago Mini Musicians) on Thursdays and Sundays.
Ms. Emily (sub)
Emily Weber is a professional actor, pianist, and singer originally from Western Massachusetts. With years of experience teaching music, theatre, and dance to children of all ages, Emily is super excited to share her love of music with everyone here at the Brooklyn Academy for Mini Musicians!
A recent graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, Emily holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Concentration. Growing up with a background in classical piano, Emily has accompanied for theatre productions, churches, and performances around Western Massachusetts and Chicago. Emily believes that learning is a unique experience for everyone and encourages patience, fun, and a love for music.
Ms. Emily subs as needed.
Ms. Carrie (sub)
A singer for her whole life, Ms. Carrie spends most of her days singing to her kids or to herself, always with a song or two stuck in her head. Her daughter was a student at Mini Musicians for several years, and Ms. Carrie found that joining her in singing and movement was a highlight of her week as she shared her love of music with her.
Outside of the daily coordination of two busy kids, Ms. Carrie volunteers as Daisy leader for her daughter’s troop. She has found being able to help the girls learn valuable life skills while having fun to be so fulfilling.
She loves sharing her love of music with students at BAMM!
Ms. Carrie subs as needed.
Ms. Amanda (sub)
As a certified music teacher and early childhood teacher, Ms. Amanda is thrilled to be able to combine her two passions at Chicago Mini Musicians. Amanda has been singing since she could make sounds, and is an active musical theatre performer around the Chicago area.
By day, she works in a pre-K classroom, and incorporates music wherever possible. She loves getting to share in the joy and enthusiasm that children bring to musical expression!
Ms. Amanda subs as needed.
Ms. Clare (sub)
Music has always been an important part of Clare's life starting at a young age. Clare is a board certified Music Therapist with a Master of Music degree from Illinois State University and also has completed classes in infant & child development. She has worked with infants, toddlers, and children in multiple settings including schools, summer camps, and hospitals.
Clare enjoys leading music groups that incorporate fundamental skills such as cognition, movement, communication, and socialization. She is thrilled to be teaching at the Brookfield Academy for Mini Musicians and loves teaching, singing, dancing, and having fun with her students!
Ms. Clare subs as needed.
IT'S EASY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Ready to start? You have nothing to lose!
Sign-up is easy and parent-friendly. Because we only offer lessons on a month-to-month basis, there are no large upfront payments, no complicated contracts, no annual material fees, and no semester minimums.
PRICING STARTS AT
$77 / month
Monthly tuition is based on a 45 week year as we are closed for seven weeks for various holidays. In the long months, you will get five classes, and in short months such as November and December, you will get three classes. Most months you will get four classes. The tuition is the same each month.
A one-time registration fee is $20 (due only at the time of registration)