Certified Center Director/ Registered Teacher
Lisa began teaching classes in 1998 after she and her children attended classes together for several semesters and is thrilled to be offering this wonderful musical opportunity for children and families. Teaching for over 12 years, she has been involved in music and drama since her earliest childhood memories and was a founding member of SPARC, the School for Performing Arts in the Richmond Community. She has assisted with the children's choir at church, Vacation Bible school music, and periodically sings with the Contemporary Worship Team at church. Lisa has always realized music is an important part of her and her families' life, and has enjoyed sharing that with all the children and families that have enrolled in this research based program over the years. The Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ, recently awarded her Music Together^® Certification Level I status for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent Education.

Jo Ellen was born and raised in Richmond and was an early participant of SPARC. She received her B.A. in Drama and Psychology from The University of Virginia and co-founded an a capella singing group called The Virginia Sil’hooettes. She then moved to Seattle and earned her Masters in Fine Arts in Acting from The University of Washington and hence moved to New York City to pursue a career in singing and performing. Jo Ellen worked as an actress for several years before shifting her interest to family life and was thrilled when she began attending Music Together classes with her 6 month old son in September of 2002. She later moved back to Richmond (July 2003) and has enjoyed taking classes with her three children and her Music Together Mentor, the talented Lisa Khoury. Jo Ellen is excited to be facilitating this terrific and diverse program and relishes the sharing of the joy of music with both children and adults. She loves the Music Together program so much that you might overhear her in the Doctor’s office waiting area singing with her kids “Two Little Blackbirds” or consoling a child with a humorous chant like “I’m Hiding.” Jo Ellen is grateful for the opportunity to share this music with Richmond area families and is honored to be working so closely with Lisa. She thanks her husband Robert for his support and Austin, Wyatt and Adriana for their willingness to sing with her! And thanks Mom for babysitting!