About Us

The Music Makers' teachers have musical backgrounds, experience working with young children, and are Licensed Music Rhapsody Teachers.

We incorporate age-appropriate music that contains themes young children can relate to. Children are exposed to different styles of music and music from other cultures. They learn classic children's songs and traditional folk songs.

Our original music pieces are written for children and contain singable phrases and beautiful, simple melodies.

Meet The Teachers

Kathleen Bellavia

(Ms. Kathy)

Kathy is the founder and owner of The Music Makers, Inc. She started playing guitar and singing when she was a teenager. As a young adult, she received vocal training, traveled with a band, served on the foreign mission field, and spent 10 years as a worship leader in the States.

Kathy has been teaching music in schools, studios, and other centers for the past 28 years.

She also learned about alternative teaching methods while working in preschool classrooms and as a homeschool parent.

In 2017 she was trained by Lynn Kleiner, founder of Music Rhapsody, and is currently a Licensed Music Rhapsody teacher.

Writing and teaching music are Kathy's passions. Her most recent accomplishments include cowriting and implementing a complete ukulele program and opening an arts-enriched morning school called Creative Learning House.

Justin Bellavia

(Mr. Justin)

Justin is the son of founder/owner Kathleen Bellavia. He began to show interest and talent in music at a young age. As a homeschooled student, he was able to develop these gifts and talents on the guitar, banjo and ukulele.

He began working at Creative Kids camps as an assistant when he was in middle school and developed a love for children.

Justin gained additional experience working with children and sharing music with them at the YMCA, where he has been employed since 2015 and was promoted to lead teacher.

Justin has been trained by Lynn Kleiner, founder of Music Rhapsody, and is currently a Licensed Music Rhapsody teacher.

He is currently teaching full time, sharing his love of music in schools and other centers and serving as a worship leader.

Our CLASSES

Our Lessons Include:

Movement based learning
Opportunities to accompany group music making
Simple theme based children's songs
Activities designed to encourage creativity and self-expression
Introductory vocal "pitch matching"
Hands on exploration with Orff style instruments and ukuleles
Fun activities that teach basic concepts such as tone, rhythm, beat and pitch

UKULELE CLASSES

IN-SCHOOL MUSIC

PRESCHOOL MUSIC

Our Story

The Music Makers was founded in 1993 by Kathleen Bellavia. After looking at franchise options she decided to maintain her creative freedom and the high quality of a small company by developing her own program.

This program was successfully implemented in a number of schools, studios, and community centers in central Florida and the greater Charlotte area. She also wrote curriculum for and taught music, science, and art camps called Creative Kids.

Somewhere along the way, Kathleen discovered the Music Rhapsody program and founder, Lynn Kleiner, and it felt like a perfect fit. She began to incorporate Lynn's lessons and music into her teaching.

In 2017, Kathleen's son, Justin, joined the business. They were trained and became licensed Music Rhapsody teachers.