Our five teachers

Shanika started Motif so her neighbors would have a class where singing comes first. She teaches the baby and toddler classes and plays guitar and hand drum. She says every grown-up can sing, and she means it.

Chieko teaches the baby classes and the quiet, rocking half of every toddler class. She plays piano and sings lullabies from many homes, including the ones families bring with them.

Manoj teaches the toddler and preschool classes with hand drums, shakers and a good deal of marching. He plays hand percussion and keyboard, and he likes a class that ends a little out of breath.

Hanne teaches the preschool singers and leads the family sing-alongs. She plays piano and writes singing games for children who are just learning to wait for a turn.

Jahir plays guitar and ukulele in the toddler and preschool classes and teaches the singing games he learned as a boy. He keeps a spare ukulele by the door for small hands.