Jessica Nielsen
Co-Owner, Instructor
Jessica Nielsen is a seasoned speech-language pathologist with over 12 years of experience working in early intervention. She has a deep passion for early language development, particularly in empowering parents through training. For the past decade, Jessica has been dedicated to teaching both preschool-aged children and conducting parent training classes. Jessica’s love for music began in her own childhood, where she gained extensive experience through nine years of piano lessons and eight years of voice lessons and choir participation. She was even taught and mentored by Nan to teach Musikgarten through some of her teen years. Jessica strongly believes in the importance of her own children participating in Musikgarten, as the program’s music learning principles closely parallel the development of expressive and receptive language. Both as a parent and a professional, she is passionate about the profound impact and significance of music in fostering the growth of young children. Having been a part of the Musicgarten family for most of the last decade, she is thrilled to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to teaching children in the “Toddler”, “Cycles”, “Home”, and "World" classes.
Denise King
Co-Owner, Instructor
Denise King is a passionate music enthusiast with nearly a decade of experience teaching group and private lessons. From an early age, Denise determined she wanted to be a teacher and work in childhood education. She graduated with a bachelors in Elementary Education and holds a current teaching license with an endorsement in English as a Second Language. Since her early years, she has been engaged in some type of musical activity, ranging from nearly 12 years of private piano lessons, choirs, teaching, college classes, and trainings. Denise joined the Harmony Arts team under the direction of Nan Croney in 2020 after watching a magical transformation in her 2 older kids in the Cycles class. Her choir teacher taught her the goal of music is not about using kids to make beautiful music, but using music to make beautiful kids. Her desire to keep music as a foundation for her own children and keep that love and community alive for others is what drives her work at Harmony Arts. Denise teaches all of the group Keyboard classes. She has also taught private students since 2018. Denise loves her fruit trees, gardening, camping, hiking, visiting national parks, and all things books. She loves children’s literature, especially picture books and participating in Mock Caldecotts and Newberrys. She is an avid reader and loves connecting with people about their favorite books.
Emily Bodrero
Teacher
Emily Bodrero is 16 years old and has been involved in Harmony Arts since she was a toddler. She loves all things music and has especially developed a passion for piano. She enjoys making new musical arrangements and has even composed her own piano pieces. She has been training for this position as a teacher for the past 3 years by assisting and teaching at Harmony Arts, and she LOVES IT! Emily enjoys associating with children of all ages. She has a gift for observation and seeing her students for who they are, noticing their struggles, guiding them to the next step, and helping them see their potential. When this gift is combined with her love for music she brings an excitement of learning and celebration of accomplishment into her lessons and classes. Emily is contagiously happy. She is great at problem solving and seeing the good in life. Her hobbies consist of reading, sewing, social dancing, playing board games, and traveling. She has recently visited Australia and Japan and is excited for her next venture…
Kierste Carter
Bookkeeper
Kierste Carter is our lovely bookkeeper at Harmony Arts. Kierste graduated from Utah State University in Family, Consumer and Human Development, with an emphasis in Family Finance (basically financial education and budgeting), and also has a background in Nutrition. Kierste is a mostly stay-at-home mom of four (just kidding, she’s almost never home). She has been a part of the Harmony Arts studio since 2013. Kierste works odd hours, around her kids basketball, baseball, football, golf, nap, and of course piano schedules. She loves hiking, reading, photography, and the beach. She is constantly seeking beauty and peace. Kierste loves the Harmony Arts studio and appreciates our holistic approach to music. Incorporating movement and drumming into piano lessons has helped her busy boys find more success and enjoyment in learning music. Thank you for all the work you do with keeping us on track, Kierste!
