Who is teaching your child?
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.
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.
Hello, my name is Jennifer Barrus. I have taught Musical Kids in the Treasure Valley for 35 years. I am a native Idahoan born and raised on a farm South of Caldwell. I am a graduate of the University of Idaho with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Music Education. I served on the Caldwell Fine Arts Board for 15 years and the Vallivue School Board for 12 years. My husband and I have 5 children and a growing number of grandchildren.
I love teaching the age group we work with in Musical Kids. They are energetic, enthusiastic, eager to learn and funny! Each year brings new experiences and I'm grateful you are entrusting us to help your child's love of music grow.
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!!
Hi, I'm Sheri Honn, and I'm excited to join the Musical Kids team! While I'm new to Musical Kids, I'm not new to helping young children discover the joy of music. I've loved music for as long as I can remember. Along the way, I've taken piano and voice lessons, sung in school and church choirs, accompanied ensembles on piano, performed in church and pageants, taught early childhood music classes and private piano lessons. I especially love watching children discover music through singing, movement, rhythm, and play. It's such a joy to see their confidence grow as they explore and create.
As a mom of five children and grandmother of three, I know how much young children learn through fun, hand-on experiences. Some of my favorite moments are when children light up with excitement as they try something new or proudly share what they've learned. I look forward to helping each child build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.