Colleen McGrath Lilley, center director of Music & Me, LLC, brings a wealth of experience in performing and teaching to the program. In September 2008, Colleen successfully completed the Music Together® Teaching Workshop developed by the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, New Jersey. She then became a registered Music Together teacher and taught her first Music Together classes in Berlin, Germany in Winter 2008. Moving to St. Petersburg in 2010, Colleen opened Music & Me with the goal of bringing the benefits and joy of early childhood music education to her new community.

Colleen earned her B.F.A. in music performance with honors from Carnegie Mellon University and her M.M. in opera, magna cum laude, from Boston Conservatory. She performed worldwide as an opera singer and taught all ages and levels of music prior to opening Music & Me. Colleen is thrilled to have found a second career she believes in so passionately. Music has deeply impacted her life in many positive ways and she seeks to influence her class participants similarly with this outstanding program.

Jen's love for music began in early childhood as her mother was a trained pianist and would play for her when she was dancing, drawing, or getting ready to go to sleep. Originally a dancer until the age of 13, Jen always enjoyed singing and chose to attend the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School, where she began her dedicated voice training. She has studied Choral Music Education at the University of Colorado, and Music Performance at the University of South Florida.

Jen began teaching private voice and piano lessons in 2006, which blossomed into her current full-time career. Additionally, she writes and performs her own music and plays in various music projects with other professional musicians. Jen discovered Music Together in 2012 with the prompting of Center Director Colleen Lilley and hasn't looked back since!

Alex got his first guitar at age 13 just for show, but when his family thrust him into private lessons with Sarasota guitarist, Jami Gee, he centered his life around the instrument, learning jazz, classical and progressive rock pieces. As a teen, Alex played guitar in the Fogt's Junior All-Star Band, which performed at Sarasota retirement homes and blues festivals, covering old swing hits and dancey jazz tunes. He has continued to pursue his love of guitar with regular study and at open mic venues. 

After studying Childhood Anthropology at Florida State and receiving his B.A. in International Affairs and English, Alex was intrigued by early childhood development and continued his study on his own. He became fascinated with how children learn and grown and became driven by a desire to help them succeed. Finding that Music Together blended his passion for music and early childhood development, Alex took and passed the Music Together teacher training in the fall of 2018 and now eagerly looks to help children (and parents!) realize their musical potential.

Melanie Baez is originally from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, but has lived most of her life in Tampa, Florida. She grew up surrounded by music, singing and dancing and eventually discovered a passion for performing. Throughout Elementary, Middle and High school Melanie immersed herself in music programs including chorus, show choir, barbershop quartets and gospel club. She received an Associates in Arts from the performing arts program at Hillsborough Community College with a major in Voice and a minor in Classical Guitar. At HCC she received classical and musical theater training with voice coach, Ruthie Nelson, and was offered several solo performing opportunities.

Melanie is excited to be part of the team of talented teachers at Music & Me and sharing her love of music with the families of St. Petersburg. As a native speaker of Spanish and English, she teaches both Music Together and Canta y Baila Conmigo^® classes at the studio. 

Madi is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, but moved to Florida in high school. She then attended the University of South Florida to and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She grew up with a deep appreciation of music due to the influence of her mother, a professional dancer, and her father, a drummer and vocalist.

Madi has been a dancer since the age of four, starting with ballet and later learning tap, jazz, and modern dance styles. Although she loves dance, her true passion is music. Madi started out playing violin at the age of four, but quickly discovered her love for piano at the age of five. She is a classically trained pianist, performing and competing since she was around eight years old. After graduating college, she decided to partner with her former piano teacher to give private piano lessons. Madi discovered Music & Me in early 2024 and decided it was a perfect outlet for her to express her passion for teaching, music, and movement.

Madi is very excited to join the team this year and to share her love for music and dance with the families of St. Petersburg.

Jenna is currently the center director and teacher at Mini Musicians in Rochester, MI. She has been involved in music since early childhood. She grew up performing in musical theatre, television, and film on both the East and West Coasts. She has performed internationally in Europe and the Middle East.  Jenna was awarded Music Together^® Certification Level I status, having demonstrated outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education.  The award was granted by the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ, Kenneth K. Guilmartin, Founder/Director.  Jenna is the mother of two children, Isabella, and Gabriel, who continue to make music at home and all around, even to this day! She is very passionate about young children and their musical development and is looking forward to working with your family soon!