Erin Watt "Miss Erin"
Owner, Teacher: All Programs
erin@themusicplayhouseofchicago.com
After completing her Master of Music degree here in Chicago, Erin ventured  out to New York City where she performed in operas, concerts, short films, cabarets, and a web series. Ms. Erin also taught afterschool music classes and private voice and piano lessons to students of all ages while producing and directing recitals and showcases. She quickly discovered that children are the best audience, and music education was her true calling. After returning to Chicago in 2014, Erin fell in love with the kids and the curriculum at The Music Playhouse and acquired the business in 2015. She now lives in Lakeview with her husband, and 2.5 year old son, Harrison.
Crystal DeMey "Miss Crystal"
Teacher

Crystal is thrilled to be joining The Music Playhouse team! She grew up in a very musical family, her grandfather was a well known Calypsonian artist from the Caribbean island of Grenada and her father is a singer and has been managing reggae artists since she was born. Crystal has been playing the piano since the age of 5 and has also been in a few NYC Off-Broadway productions such as Songs of the New World and Hair. She ran the music and theater program for her local YMCA summer camps for 3 years. She is so happy she gets to share her passion for music with children again! Crystal has her B.A. in Theater Arts from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC. UPDATE: Crystal and her family have moved to South Carolina. She has made incredible contributions to The Music Playhouse and she loves her students dearly; we will miss her immensely! Crystal has promised to make some cameo appearances, so we hope to see her again soon. Please send her and her family love and hugs and high fives!
Katarina Spungen "Miss Kat"
Teacher: Virtual Music Pups®

Katarina is ecstatic to join The Music Playhouse as a teacher after falling in love with the program with the kids she nannies! Her mother loves to say that she was singing before she could talk, and consequently grew up studying voice, flute, and piano. She left the suburbs of New York City to study acting at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and graduated with a BFA. In addition to nannying, Katarina has taught youth acting classes and started a custom dessert business, Pardine Pastries. She is so excited to share her love of music with the new generation of artists! Ms. Kat recently moved to Boston to pursue a graduate degree, but continues her work with The Music Playhouse through virtual classes.
Cole Burdick "Mr. Cole"
Teacher: Virtual Music Pups®

Cole is so happy to be joining The Music Playhouse team! He has had a passion for music and for working with kids for as long as he can remember. In his hometown of Decatur, IL, Cole has been performing music since 4th grade, and has been working with kids ever since he could get a job. Cole recently graduated from Millikin University in Decatur with a B.A. in Commercial Music, and has been living in Chicago ever since. Cole can't wait to continue to pursue his passions in the big city with The Music Playhouse!
Jaime Raglow "Miss Jaime"
Teacher: Virtual Music Pups®, IRL Music Pups®, Music Discovery

Jaime hails from Akron, Ohio where she has been singing since she learned how to talk! From showchoir to musicals to dance classes, she has always been a performer with music in her heart! Since moving to Chicago, she has graduated with a BA in Theatre and Dance from Loyola University Chicago, and she has performed in many musicals, choreographed for some children's theatre and camps, and worked with kids all over the city! Miss Jaime feels so deeply about The Music Playhouse's mission and goals of bringing music education to kids from a young age so they can carry that with them their whole lives!
Audie Deinlein "Miss Audie"
Teacher: IRL Music Pups®

Audie is excited to be a part of The Music Playhouse of Chicago family! After graduating with a BFA in Musical Theater from Indiana University in 2018, Audie moved to Chicago to pursue teaching and acting. Since moving, she has worked as an infant teacher at The Goddard School, a choreographer, teacher, and administrator for Compass Creative Dramatics, and of course, a babysitting extraordinaire! Audie is incredibly passionate about educating kids through music and movement, and looks forward to moving and grooving with you!
Thomas Swanson "Mr. Tommy"
Teacher: IRL Music Pups®

Starting the flute at the age of 9, Tommy's passion for music was clear, and his love for music has touched many. Growing up, he was highly influenced by the music of Peru, a part of his heritage. Tommy strives to bring the spice, pizzazz, and life of Peruvian music to his performing and his teaching. Tommy recently graduated with a B.A. in Music from the University of Central Florida and is new to the Chicagoland area! He is currently studying to become a Music Therapist and an Alexander Technique Teacher. Mr. Tommy has found his greatest audience in working with children, and is extremely excited to be joining The Music Playhouse Team!

Jack Kilkelly-Schmidt "Mr. Jack"
Teacher: IRL Music Pups®

Jack Kilkelly-Schmidt is a Brooklyn native and award-winning guitarist of many styles. Jack received a B.M. in Guitar Performance in 2018 from Lawrence University. In 2017, he was a recipient of Downbeat Jazz Magazine’s “Best Undergraduate Small Group Ensemble” for his playing and singing on the album Twisted Heads by The Jake Victor 5tet. Jack is extremely passionate about music education. Jack has traveled to Jacmel, Haiti twice to help run the guitar program at The Dessaix-Baptiste Music School. He currently resides in Chicago where he continues to run a small guitar studio of his own. Jack Kilkelly-Schmidt plans to make music, performance, and teaching a lifelong pursuit.
Job Openings:

None at this time.
(updated December 2020)