Musical Kids was formed by local music educator Kristin Sample in 1988 and it continues to be Idaho's premier music education program for preschool age children in the Boise area.
With a degree in Music Education and Piano Performance, Kristin developed this early childhood music program to better prepare students for future music lessons. Musical Kids incorporates the latest research and music available for young children.
Who is teaching your child?
Musical Kids instructors are a combination of professional musicians, degreed or certified teachers who teach private instrumental instruction. All are licensed childcare personnel and active in many community endeavors.
Meet Your Musical Kids Teachers!
Hi, I'm Bethany Cluff and have been teaching with Musical Kids for 8 years. In addition to teaching early childhood music, I have also run a private piano studio for over 20 years and work with local high school choirs as a collaborative pianist. I love working with kids of all ages and seeing the joy they have in making beautiful music.
I became the owner of Musical Kids in 2023 and love running a local small business and being an entrepreneur.
Jennifer Barrus is a native Idahoan, born and raised on a farm in Caldwell. She is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. She has taught Musical Kids classes in the Treasure Valley for 35 years. Jennifer served on the Caldwell Fine Arts Board for 15 years and was also a Vallivue School Board member for 12 years. Jennifer and her husband have five children and four grandchildren. In her free time she enjoys time with family and yardwork.
Hi! I’m Abby Hibbard. I have a strong passion for instilling a lifelong love for music in children. I have a degree in Music Education from California Baptist University, an Idaho Music Teaching license and 6 years of experience teaching Elementary music in public and private schools as well as private lessons. I believe that instilling a passion for the arts and music begins at an early age, and that learning takes place when music is introduced through movement, playing, and fun! Your student can expect to play games, use musical manipulatives (scarves, rhythm sticks etc.), sing, move to steady beat, learn to listen with a musical ear, and learn about music history and culture. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy refinishing furniture and traveling with my two middle school aged children and my husband.
Hi! My name is Debbie Laga and I am a new teacher for Musical Kids! I am the proud mama of 7 children and twenty-three grandchildren, whom I adore! I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, and for 20 years I taught grades K-1 at our local elementary school. Then…we moved to Montana and the local school needed a Music teacher! It was the perfect job for me, and for the next eight years I got to teach piano, general music, ukulele, and recorder. I recently retired from teaching public school, but I am excited to still be able to teach music!!