About Music Together Eugene
At Music Together Eugene, we are proud to offer the early childhood music program Music Together.® Since 1987, Music Together has introduced millions of children, parents, and teachers around the world to the joys of family music-making and the powerful benefits of having music in their lives. Today, classes for children ages birth through grade two are found around the world---including right here in Eugene.
From babyhood through the early elementary years, Music Together nurtures each child’s natural musicality in a playful, musically rich learning environment. Our research-based music classes are designed to be non-formal and non-performance oriented, so your child can learn at his or her own pace, in a way that’s developmentally appropriate.
By enrolling in our children’s music program, you’ll experience a whole semester of classes led by one of our trained teachers.
No matter what music class you take at Music Together Eugene, you’re guaranteed to learn new songs and music activities to inspire you to bring music into your family’s everyday life
Our Teachers
Sophie Therrell
Teacher/Center Director
Sophie Therrell grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and began studying the violin at age four. Infused at a young age with the eclectic sounds of street music, New Orleans jazz, and Mardi Gras rhythms, Sophie developed a love of music that drove her to make it her career.
After earning her Bachelors degree in History from Princeton University, she earned a Masters Degree in violin performance from The University of Texas at Austin studying with Vincent Fritelli and Brian Lewis. Sophie's professional career has included positions with the Baton Rouge Symphony, the Austin Symphony, the New World Symphony, and several summer festival orchestras. She currently plays with the Eugene Symphony, the Eugene Opera Orchestra, and Oregon Mozart Players.
Sophie was introduced to Music Together 2009 when her children were little. She instantly fell in love with the program at the first class she attended with them. In 2019 when Lauralie and Emily invited her to join them in teaching, she gave a resouning "YES" and has never looked back. Sophie loves to sing with the children and the families and will always champion Music Together.
Sophie also enjoys long walks, singing with her father and the Motet Singers, teaching music at South Hills Montessori school, reading, yoga, and sharing life with her loving family.
Lauralie Kallinen
Teacher
Lauralie Kallinen is a registered Suzuki Cello teacher, director and founder of the Kallinen Cello Studio and founder of the Suzuki Cello Program at the University of Oregon Community Music Institute. She began her cello studies in the Eugene Public Schools, participating in Junior Orchestra and Youth Symphony. She graduated from Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in German. Lauralie then continued her studies at the University of Oregon receiving a Master of Music degree in cello performance and a teaching license for music in the state of Oregon.
While a graduate student, she began her Suzuki Cello training under the guidance of Nancy Hair. Lauralie currently teaches cello in Eugene, OR for children ranging in age from 4 – 18, teaches orchestra at Kelly Middle School, and teaches beginning strings for Eugene Springfield Youth Orchestras at Gilham and YG/Corridor Elementary.
Lauralie is a firm believer in the Music Together curriculum and has been attending Music Together with her children at Music Together Eugene since their opening day. She is delighted to be teaching Music Together and bringing the Music Together approach to so many families.
Emily Pfeifer
Teacher
Emily Pfeifer is a native of Rochester, Minnesota, and grew up in a family of musicians. She started piano and viola lessons at a young age, and sang in choirs throughout her entire childhood. Emily graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Music degree, and also holds a Masters degree in Viola Performance with an emphasis in string pedagogy from the University of Oregon.
She currently teaches violin and viola in Eugene to a studio of young students ranging in age from 3-18 years old, and teaches before and after-school strings classes through the Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras String Academy program. Besides musical activities, Emily and her husband are avid mountain-bike riders and love hiking with their two dogs.
She is passionate about sharing her love of music with people of all ages, and is excited to use Music Together as a way to reach more families!