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Our Story

HAMA History - Nurturing Transformation Through the Arts!

 

Nan Croney founded Nan Croney Music Piano Studio in 1990. She received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Pedagogy from Utah State University in 1994 and taught private and group lessons at the USU Youth Conservatory from 1989-1998.

 

She was on the USU Youth Conservatory Board of Directors and received both the Teaching Assistant of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards. She served in the Utah Music Teachers Association (UMTA) and taught many UMTA, Orff, and church music workshops over the years.  

 

After Nan had children, she began searching for methods of teaching music that were effective with young children. With a curious and busy 2-year old and a deep desire to help him develop a love of music, Nan needed to expand her teaching style - and she was led to discover the magic of Musikgarten!

 

Lorna Heyge, the founder and writer of Musikgarten, was Nan’s first Musikgarten Teacher Trainer.  She introduced Nan to the Montessori method of observation and holistic education for human development, Ed Gordon’s Music-Learning Sequence, and the work of DeeJoy Coulter in the neuroscience of music. Nan recognized the importance of teaching music as a language, accommodating various learning styles, and incorporating movement in classes to help children learn. Little by little, Musikgarten became the foundation of what would one day be The Harmony Arts Way. Nan was invited to be one of Musikgarten's elite Teacher Trainers and taught workshops across the nation for seven years. 

 

As Musikgarten became part of the studio curriculum, Croney Music Garden became the official name of the studio, and  soon the entire Musikgarten program was offered and thriving - and continues to be recognized with the Musikgarten Exemplary award year after year.

 

In 2017, the time was right to start expanding into new programs. The studio began offering summer camps and private lessons in Ukulele, Drums, Guitar, Singing, and even Art! We changed our name to Harmony Arts and Music Academy, intentionally using both “arts” and “music” to send a clear message.  It took a lot of faith and teamwork to get these programs up and running, and many gifted individuals contributed to our offerings, for which we are truly grateful.

 

Over the years, Nan has received many training opportunities in Early Childhood Music, Child Development, and various aspects of music including professional Organ and Voice training.  She has also been a presenter at Orff-Schulwerk trainings, BYU music classes, UMTA meetings and State Conferences, and various other venues.  

 

Nan is a current member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and is Level II certified. She is also a member of the Music Teachers National Association.  Her students often participate in USU Piano Festival, Piano Federation, and UMTA’s AIM program.

 

We have witnessed the impact our programs have on children and families and remain convinced that our program is worth the effort.  Our greatest desire is to create an emotionally safe space where all come to enjoy the arts, where their worth is validated, and where they can recognize and develop their full musical potential. 

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