Bringing music, love, and a love of music to your child.
Meet Our Awesome Teachers
Katie Kraft, Owner
Katie Kraft
Guitar/Piano/Tots with Tempo
Accepting New Students: NO
Katie Kraft is Accelerando Music's owner and primary instructor. With a degree in Music from the University of Virginia, an Orff-Schulwerk Music Education pedagogy certification from Boston College, a K-12 teaching certification through Montclair University, and early childhood music training through Music Together in Bologna, Italy, Katie brings her passion and knowledge for music to every party, lesson, or class.
Katie graduated from UVA in 2003 and started teaching general music, chorus, and piano/guitar lessons at a K-6 elementary school in New Jersey. There, she discovered what a powerful role music can play in a child's life. In 2009 she moved back home to Virginia to pursue her true passion, early childhood music. In June of 2009, Accelerando Music started and has been making a name for itself across the Northern Virginia and D.C. circuit.
Today, Katie is married to Logan Kraft, a mechanial engineer by day and a rock star in the Logan Kraft Band by night! Katie and Logan also have an acoustic duo together that performs at weddings, private functions, and events around the D.C. area. In April of 2014, they were thrilled to make their duo a trio, when they welcomed their son Holden to the world. In January of 2017, their trio became a quartet when their daughter, Jovie Rae, was born. Holden and Jovie are now the guinea pigs for all of Katie's Tots with Tempo songs. She can honestly say they are tested and approved by a little tots!
Jennifer Ferenz
Jennifer Ferenz
Piano/Flute
Accepting New Students: WAITING LIST
Hi! My name is Jennifer Ferenz, and I am pleased to be joining Accelerando Music as a flute and piano instructor!
I grew up in Maryland and attended college at Shepherd University along the Potomac River in West Virginia. After earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree, I enlisted in the United States Navy as a military musician where I traveled and performed across the United States, Canada, Europe, and briefly in Asia. This adventure allowed me to live and establish private music instruction studios in Chicago, Illinois as well as Naples, Italy during my active duty service.
Upon completing my service, I returned to America and secured a position as an elementary general music teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools where I am charged with creating meaningful musical experiences for students in grades K-6.
Throughout the past five years, I have taught private lessons to students from ages 4 to 65 with varying levels of experience. While I enjoy working and growing with musicians at any level, I am very passionate about introducing music to beginners. I strive to find a balance between challenging and engaging activities to keep my students actively involved in their growth. I look forward to making music and growing with you!
Emily Snyder
Emily Snyder
Oboe/Piano/Flute
Accepting New Students: YES
Originally from Newark, Delaware, Emily Snyder is a musician in the Washington, DC metro area. She holds the rank of Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force Band where she is both an oboist and the English hornist.
Since coming to DC in 2013, Emily has performed regularly with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, The Washington National Opera, and the Fairfax Symphonies and enjoys being an active freelancer in both DC and Baltimore. She is also a member of The Atlantic Reed Consort, an innovative chamber music ensemble comprised of all reed instruments and made her Carnegie Hall debut this past January with that ensemble.
Prior to winning her job in the Air Force, Emily earned her Bachelors of Music degree from Rice University in Houston, TX where she studied with Robert Atherholt. In addition to the oboe, she has studied piano privately for 13 years, most recently with Dr. Lisa Papili and has experience teaching beginner and intermediate level students.
When not performing or teaching, Emily enjoys attending barre class, cooking for friends and family, and spending time outdoors, preferably with her fiancé, Joe, and their two dogs, Maggie and Oscar.
Allison Kraft
Allison Kraft
Voice
Accepting New Students: YES
Allison Kraft recently received her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance at George Mason University, under the direction of Dr. Kathryn Hearden. While at Mason, she was fortunate enough to perform as both a choir member, soloist, and student leader for University Singers, Women’s Chorale, and University Chorale.
She has performed the roles of Nanetta in Verdi’s “Falstaff”, Clorinda in Rossini’s “La Cenerentola”, and Susanna in Mozart’s “La Nozze in Figaro” in GMU’s Opera Scenes Workshops, as well as performed the role of La Chatte in Maurice Ravel’s “L’enfant et les sortilèges” and understudied the role of Musetta in Giacomo Puccini’s “La bohème.” During her summers as an undergraduate, Allison preformed at the Torggler Summer Vocal Institute receiving training from Tim Noble, Costanza Cuccaro, Liz Caplan, Heather Parcells, and was able to perform on stage with Patti LuPone. The following summer she traveled to Novafeltria, Italy, to study classical voice and Italian.
After graduation, Allison continued her education at Mason to perform the Role of Phyllis in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Iolanthe”. She currently works as a vocal coach for the St. John’s United Methodist Church Choir and teaches voice lessons in the Northern Virginia area.
When Allison is not teaching or singing she enjoys reading, taking her puppy Max to the dog park, going to Zumba classes, and spending time with her family and friends!
Content Copyright 2009. Accelerando Music, LLC. All rights reserved. Photography by Jessica Streeter and Jayna McGehee, THANK YOU!
