Meet our Teacher Trainers
Musikgarten’s teacher-trainers are highly experienced professionals with strong backgrounds in early childhood music education. We believe the quality of your training matters—and we know you do too.
Our trainers don’t just teach the curriculum; they bring it to life. Each workshop is filled with practical guidance, proven strategies, and real-world experiences drawn from years of working directly with children and families. Their goal is simple: to give you the confidence, skills, and inspiration you need to succeed as you teach in the Musikgarten way.
You’ll leave training feeling prepared, supported, and ready to create meaningful musical experiences in your own classes.
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Jill HannaganJill Citro Hannagan has taught early childhood music since 1986. She is the founder and past director of the University of Delaware Community Music School and director of the Hockessin Music School in Hockessin, Delaware, where she teaches all levels of Musikgarten and beyond to children ages 3 months through 15 years. Before assuming the position of Executive Vice President of Musikgarten in 2007, Hannagan taught Elementary Music Methods to Early Childhood Education majors and also had teaching experience as a high school band director, elementary school music teacher, church musician, and a private piano teacher. Certified at level III with the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, Ms. Hannagan has served on their Board of Directors and that of Delaware Music Educators Association (DMEA). She has presented music and movement workshops at national meetings of the MTNA, MENC, Suzuki Association, and ECMMA, as well as many state conferences. Jill's articles on early childhood music and piano teaching have been published by MENC, Clavier Magazine, and Early Childhood Connections: Journal of Music-and Movement-Based Learning. As a teacher trainer for Musikgarten Publications, she has conducted workshops throughout the United States, in Canada, and in Malaysia. Jill Hannagan is co-author of the Music Makers: At the Keyboard series and Musikgarten Adults: Enjoying the Piano Together. |
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Shannon Mullins, Owner and CEOShannon Mullins is an experienced music educator, studio owner, and passionate advocate for early childhood music education. She is the Owner and President of Music Matters, Inc., the global home of Musikgarten, and the founder of Miss Shannon’s Music Studio in Batesville, Indiana, where she serves more than 350 students each week. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Shannon specializes in voice, piano, and early childhood music. She has been a licensed Musikgarten instructor for more than 15 years and is dedicated to helping teachers build joyful, developmentally appropriate music programs for children and families. Shannon studied vocal performance at Northern Kentucky University and has spent her career mentoring teachers, leading trainings, and growing vibrant music communities. As a trainer, Shannon brings practical, real-world experience, encouragement, and a deep belief in Musikgarten’s mission to nurture a lifelong love of music. |
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Emily Tallant holds degrees in Music Education from the University of Houston (M.M.) and the University of Tulsa (B.M.E., flute and voice). She is a former choir director and private flute teacher, and currently sings with Cantaré Houston and plays flute and piccolo with her church orchestra. She also volunteers with WildTunes, using music to bring comfort to animals. Emily began teaching at The Music Garden Houston in 2017 under the mentorship of Leilani Miranda and currently teaches Music for Babies, Baby/Toddler classes, and Cycle of Seasons. A homeschool mom of two boys who once attended Musikgarten classes themselves, she is passionate about helping young children grow through meaningful musical experiences. |
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Rebecca CauthronRebecca Cauthron is a Musikgarten International Teacher Trainer known for her enthusiasm for mentoring new instructors and brings over 30 years of experience in training. She holds a Master's Degree in Teaching focused on Early Childhood Music (John Flohr, advisor), and Flute from Texas Woman's University, and a bachelor's degree in Flute Performance (Mary Karen Clardy, professor) with a Music Theory minor and a secondary piano emphasis from the University of North Texas (Magna Cum Laude). Introduced to early childhood music by Cathy Mathia in 1997, Rebecca trained in all levels of Musikgarten and joined forces at East Dallas Children's Music to teach with Cathy for the next 28 years, where they consistently earned the Musikgarten Excellence Award and created a loyal following throughout the Dallas metroplex. She has written blogs, articles, and posts for Musikgarten, is the author of The Potential Contender - a beginning flute method book bridging the gap between elementary music and instrumental study, and has presented at Musikgarten Festival, multiple Texas Music Educators Association Conferences, and founded the National Flute Association's Youth Flute Day bringing her trademark passion to educating young musicians wherever she goes. Currently, she is the founder and director of Circlesong Music and created the after-school a la carte Keyboard Piano program at Meridian World School in Round Rock, Texas, which utilizes Music Maker at Home through all levels of Keyboard for grades K-5 and is a guest flute instructor, clinician, and performer across Texas. She emphasizes strong musical foundations, creativity, innovative strategies, and personal growth in her teaching, reaching beyond the written music to help students realize their potential and achieve their goals. Other hobbies include studying world cuisine, gardening, music curriculum development, and being a substitute chef. She has the most incredible husband, a daughter in graduate school, a son in primary school, and multiple family pets. |
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Mary Louise WilsonMary Louise Wilson is a sought-after clinician in the area of early childhood music and is frequently invited to present at national and state music conferences. As a teacher educator for Musikgarten since 1994, she has enjoyed conducting workshops and introducing the Musikgarten philosophy to teachers throughout the US, Canada, England, Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Malaysia. Co-authoring Music Makers: At the Keyboard and Musikgarten Adults Enjoying the Piano Together with Lorna Heyge and Jill Hannagan has been a highlight for her. Dr. Wilson received the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of North Texas and a PhD in Music Education from Louisiana State University. She holds Level III certification from the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and is in her 2nd term serving on the International Board as 1st Vice-President. Mary Louise is currently Co-Director of the Children's Music Development Center in Atlanta. Before moving to the Atlanta area, she taught with the University of Miami's MusicTime program for 19 years and taught fine arts classes for elementary education majors in the School of Education. |