Betsy Flanagan obtained her Bachelor's in Music Education (summa cum laude), Kindergarten thru 12th Grade, from Illinois State University in Bloomington, Ill. in 1981. She also has a Master's degree from Illinois State University in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance, and has completed her Doctoral coursework in Choral Conducting from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Urbana where she was granted an Academic Fellowship.

Betsy has taught children of all ages and backgrounds in public grade schools, high schools, universities, summer camps and also privately in her home studio for over 20 years, providing her students high quality instruction together with passionate motivation. Betsy was a guest conductor at the 2003 KEA International Convention in San Antonio, where she directed Kindermusik instructors from throughout the United States and other countries. She was invited to the WMEA (Wisconsin Music Educator's Assoc) state convention October 2003 to present a program on "Kindermusik: A Good Beginning Never Ends," and she is currently a guest speaker for Kindermusik International out of North Carolina.

Betsy was recently named a Maestro by Kindermusik International ®, the world's leading publisher of music and movement programs, representing the top 5 percent of over 5,000 licensed educators in the world who use Kindermusik's music and movement curricula.

Early childhood experts agree that the child's most important teacher is the parent or caregiver, and that the best place for a child to learn is in the home where they feel safe and secure. Betsy established Musical Pathways (Neural Pathways) when she recognized the need for a studio that offers high-quality musical experiences for young children to enjoy with their families. Classes are designed to bring the parent/caregiver and child together on a weekly basis to play together and bond in a warm and nurturing musical environment. The parent/caregiver is then provided at "home materials" kit which helps you "take the fun home" all week long.

Betsy's Kindermusik program, while providing a fun musical foundation, fosters learning and growth in all areas of child development. Children are prepared for future learning environments such as math, language, science, athletics and fine arts; future challenges socially; and future endeavors requiring strong self-esteem and confidence.

Betsy lives in Waunakee with her husband Larry who is a partner with D&S Dental Lab of Waunakee. They have one son, Matthew, who is married and lives in Madison. Betsy directs the Adult Choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee, and is an avid golfer and gardener. She is an active member of the Kindermusik Educator's Association, Waunakee Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Optimist Club, and the Business and Professional Women's Association.

Email Miss Betsy or call (608) 850-4854

Leslie Strangfeld brings to Musical Pathways her love of both children and music which shows through her energy and passion for Kindermusik. Being a mother herself, she understands the need for quality musical developmental experiences and after attending other "music classes" is happy to have found Kindermusik and its whole-child approach.

Helping others has always been Leslie's forte. She graduated with an Associates Degree in Human Services and enjoyed working in that capacity aiding others. She now enjoys helping parents and children with their musical, brain development and bonding journeys.

Leslie grew up in central Wisconsin, where from an early age she developed a passion for music. Throughout childhood and adolescence she participated in a multitude of choirs through school and church and performed in her high school musicals and state solo/ensemble competitions. She has also volunteered tutoring services to early childhood and special education classes as well as worked for a day care and volunteered at a nursery school.

After discovering the Kindermusik curriculum, Leslie decided she couldn't wait to share the magic with other families.  Joining the Musical Pathways team fulfills her dream. Leslie's goal is to give parents and grown-ups the tools, knowledge, and experience to further their child's learning at home. After all, we know that a parent is a child's best teacher!

Leslie lives in DeForest with her husband, cat, and one year old son, Eli.

Email Miss Leslie

In May of 1995, Reneé Frey received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. After graduation, she worked as an early childhood educator and program director, allowing her to teach and learn with children from birth through school age. In 1998 she began teaching third grade for the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. She continued in this role until the birth of her second child in 2004 when she was blessed to have the opportunity to be home with her children.

Christine Erickson has loved creating music all of her life. Coming from a family who shared music in their home, Christine is passionate about sharing the power and joy music can bring in the development of the "whole-child."

Chris obtained her bachelor's degree in Mathematics has also obtained her Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Chris plays piano, organ, and clarinet and loves to sing and dance. Through her school years she participated in many different musical groups—from jazz band to honors choir, swing choir to women's chorus, even touring Europe with a national chorus and performing at Carnegie Hall.

Chris was the founding member and director of the American Family Insurance Choir and has directed the Lodi Presbyterian Church choir. She currently plays organ at Lodi Presbyterian Church.

Chris lives in Waunakee with her husband Doyle, an IT manager at American Family Insurance. Doyle and Chris are the proud parents of daughter Sydney—a Kindermusik enthusiast. They enjoy time at home with Sydney singing and dancing to the Kindermusik CD's, and they are thrilled with Sydney's amazing growth while enrolled in Musical Pathway's Kindermusik program.

Chris is excited about teaching Kindermusik classes for Musical Pathways, where she combines her love for music and dance with her passion to serve others. She is devoted to helping parents and children learn and grow together through music.

Andrea is so excited to have the opportunity to work with Betsy and the entire Musical Pathways team!! She knows the benefits of Kindermusik first-hand as her children have been enrolled in the Musical Pathways School for several years. Andrea's role as administrative assistant is to help ensure that Kindermusik families receive exceptional care and service.  Feel free to call Andrea should you have any questions or concerns and she will be sure to serve you!

Born in Minneapolis, Minn., Andrea moved to Wisconsin when she was two and is a Monona High graduate.  She moved to Waunakee 14 years ago where she married her husband of eight years, Steve.  They have two sons, Jake, 6, and Eric, 4.

Some of Andrea's favorite hobbies are reading, listening to music, and making cards and other paper crafts.  In her free time, Andrea likes to go out with friends or family for a good dinner and good conversation with a lot of laughs.  But her favorite free-time activity is singing and snuggling with her children.  That's where her true passion lies.

Email Miss Andrea

Kindermusik is in Ann Welsch's blood. Ann was the owner and director of her own Kindermusik school, The Music House, for 7 years in the St. Paul, Minn. area until she and her family relocated to Stoughton, Wisc. in 2006. Ann has personally touched the lives of thousands of children and their families with the gift of Kindermusik. She can think of no greater love than having the opportunity of not only bringing music into the lives of young children and their families each week, but bringing lifelong skills and strong parental bonding to every family. We are fortunate that her passion to teach Kindermusik has fortuitously brought her to Musical Pathways Foundation.

Ann received her RDH Degree in Dental Hygiene from Marquette University. After a successful 10-year career as a pediatric dental hygienist, Ann decided to combine her lifelong love for music with her passion for educating children, and she became a Kindermusik Educator. Ann's life is rich with musical experiences. She began piano lessons at the age of 6, began harp lessons at the age of 14, and was consistently in choir and musical theatre productions. Ask her about her role as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! Later, she directed junior high theatre in the Minneapolis area, with shows such as Charleston, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wagon Wheels West, and Twinderella. In 2007, she directed St. Ann's school performance of Twinderella at the Stoughton Opera House.

Ann understands the importance of active membership in music organizations. She was the president of her local chapter of the Kindermusik Educators Association in Minnesota, and Ann maintains professional memberships in the National Association of Music Education. Away from the classroom, Ann enjoys spending time with her husband Scott and their 2 children, Greta and Garrett and 2 feisty Weimaraners named Rosita and Scout! Her children are both avid swimmers so she accompanies them to many swim competitions, and in her free time she enjoys photography, gardening, and is now a loyal fan of Badger Women's Basketball.

Email Miss Ann