about

What is Little Steps Music?

Little Steps Music, LLC is a firm dedicated to the therapeutic treatment and informal education of all children through music. Little Steps Music was founded in 2001 by managing partner Ashley Herron Scott, MT-BC, a board-certified music therapist. Through this music therapy private practice, Ashley has provided group and individual music therapy services to nearly one hundred children in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties.

Little Steps Music also conducts Music Together® classes, an informal music education program for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, kindergartners, children with special needs, and their families.

In the spring of 2008, Little Steps Music was recognized by the national Music Together office in Princeton, New Jersey, for having enrolled 10,000 families in its Music Together classes.

In addition to these classes, private musical entertainment that follows the Music Together curriculum is available through Little Steps Music for children’s parties.

Little Steps Music is proud to be a corporate sponsor of Putt for PWS, The Charlie and Riden Challenge, a mini-golf tournament at Arlington's Upton Hill Regional Park.

This event benefits the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (PWSA USA) in honor of Charlie Deleage and Riden Howard, who are local children diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome. The Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by an anomaly in chromosome 15, which can affect appetite, growth, metabolism, cognitive functioning and behavior. PWSA USA strives to bring awareness to the public in order to help save the lives of children combating the maladies associated with PWS.

Professional Staff

Ashley Scott, Managing Partner

Ashley Herron Scott, MT-BC is the founder and managing partner of Little Steps Music. She holds an M.A. degree in music therapy from New York University, where the subject of her master’s thesis was sensory integration dysfunction and its treatment through music therapy. She also holds a B.S. degree in psychology from Mary Washington College.

While in graduate school, Ashley completed internships at Step By Step Child Developmental Center and Downstate Medical Hospital in Brooklyn, specializing in early intervention for toddlers with developmental delays. After graduating from NYU and becoming board-certified in music therapy, Ashley trained at the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, New Jersey. There she became a licensed director of Music Together, a nationally-based music education program for young children.

Ashley currently conducts a private practice in music therapy from her studio in Arlington, Virginia, where she treats children with developmental delays, specializing in those on the autism spectrum. She spends any of her free time singing and dancing with her two young children.

Ashley is a proud member of the American Music Therapy Association, an organization committed to the progressive development of the therapeutic use of music, and to the advancement of education, training, professional standards, credentials, and research in support of the music therapy profession.

Ashley is also board certified by The Certification Board for Music Therapists. The Board works to advance the discipline of music therapy through a certification process and issues the credential of MT-BC to individuals who demonstrate the required level of competence.

Ashley is a frequent lecturer in her field. Recent presentations include:

“Understanding and Articulating the Music Together Program with Accuracy and Passion” Music Together Director's Conference, May 2005, Princeton, New Jersey.
“Fulfilling Your Vision: Using Structural Tension to Propel You Towards Your Goals” Music Together Director's Conference, May 2005, Princeton, New Jersey.
“Developing Expressive Language and Socialization Skills Through Singing,” Mary Washington College Department of Psychology, February 2003, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
“The Use of Music Therapy to Foster Developmental Skills in Children with Diagnoses on the Autism Spectrum,” Mary Washington College Department of Psychology, November 2002, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
“Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Private Practice,” CMTE Course, Virginia Music Therapy Association Conference, November 2001, Richmond, Virginia.
“Utilizing Music Together Techniques and Activities for Children with Special Needs,” Music Together Director’s Conference, May 2001, Princeton, New Jersey.
“Music Therapy as Treatment for Children with Developmental Delays,” Prince William County Circle of Support Conference, November 1998, Woodbridge, Virginia.

Becky Sowers, a Music Together instructor for Little Steps Music, is a board certified music therapist and special education teacher. She holds a BA degree in music from the University of Florida, a Masters in Education from America Intercontinental University, and studied music therapy at Florida State University. She completed an intensive music therapy internship with Fairfax County Public Schools in 2001, and was employed as a music therapist by Music Therapy Services a Greater Atlanta for two years. Becky trained with the Center for Music and Young Children in June of 2005.

Becky is currently instructing special education at an elementary level for Fairfax County Public Schools. She also provides guitar and piano lessons, adapted music instruction and maintains a music therapy private practice for children of various ages and abilities. She loves to sing and play the guitar with children, and is excited to begin instructing Music Together classes through Little Steps Music.

Jessi Baden, instructor, holds a Master of Music degree from Catholic University and completed training with the Center for Music and Young Children in June 2007. A professional opera singer, Jessi has performed with the Des Moines Metro Opera, Anchorage Opera, Opera Iowa, and the Nevada Opera. She has taught at the Musical Theatre Center in Rockville, MD and the Choralis Summer Youth Workshop for high school students in Falls Church, VA.

When she’s not teaching Music Together, Jessi performs at area churches and instructs young learners in world music in group settings.

Melanie McCleerey (formerly Melanie Dionne), instructor, graduated from the American Music and Dramatic Arts Academy in New York City in October 2005. She has held supporting and starring roles in a variety of professional and children’s theatre productions in Virginia, Kansas, and Michigan. Melanie worked for four years as a performing arts instructor at the Performance Place Studio, and as an Acting Instructor at the Riverside Summer Youth Drama Camp, both in Fredericksburg, VA.

Melanie completed her Music Together training at the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton in 2006, and is happy to be teaching Music Together classes in the Washington, DC area.

James Randall Harrison is a talented percussionist, guitarist and dancer. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Social Work from Galludet University in Washington, DC. James completed the Music Together teacher training with the Center for Music and Young Children in 2003.

James grew up surrounded by music in Chicago, living with his mother, an active Gospel and Opera singer. He learned first hand the power and joy of music as a part of daily life. He has performed with various traditional and contemporary ensembles across Canada, Cuba, the US and the Bahamas, and has taught percussion to both children and adults. He joins the Little Steps Music teaching team from East Bay Music Together in California.

Kristine Johnson, a Music Together instructor for Little Steps Music, has been involved with music throughout her life. In 2002, she completed her training at the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, New Jersey.

Kristine is a talented pianist and singer and can be currently heard performing with the Thomas Circle Singers in Washington, D.C. In addition to teaching Music Together, Kristine assists with the children's music programming at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia.

Families enjoy the classes taught by Kristine immensly. A parent shared these thoughts about Kristine's teaching: "Kristine has a genuine affection for the children evident in her dancing and playfulness. My child is enthralled with this class."

Linda O'Reilly, a Music Together instructor for Little Steps Music, received a B.A. in theater and music from Lehigh University and an M.F.A. in theater from the University of South Carolina. A classically trained vocalist and actor, Linda has performed professionally up and down the East Coast, including local productions at The Shakespeare Theatre, the Little Theater of Alexandria, and George Washington University. Thoughout her career, Linda has instructed music, acting and public speaking to adults and children of all ages.

Linda completed her training with the Center for Music and Young Children in June 2005. In addition to teaching for Little Steps Music, Linda is employed by Music Together Montgomery in Maryland. At home, Linda loves to make music with her husband and her two daughters, aged 3 and 5.

Breianne McKinley, a Music Together instructor, holds a B.A. from George Mason University in Arts and Music Therapy, and is currently pursuing a Master Certificate in Music Therapy from Shenandoah University. A talented vocalist and guitarist, she completed the Music Together training with the Center for Music and Young Chilren in the Spring of 2007.

Breianne is a natural leader when interacting with children, having worked as a lead teacher and teacher's assistant in several area pre-schools, day care centers, and elementary schools in the Northern Virginia area, where she lead music and art activities. She is dedicated to the arts in all facets, serving as an intern at the Wolf Trap Foundation and performing with a local award-winning jazz group.

Patti Papworth, a Music Together instructor for Little Steps Music, has been involved in music throughout her life. She holds a B.A. degree in vocal performance from Utah State University, is an accomplished classical and jazz musician, and frequently performs in musical theater.

Patti has been teaching Music Together since 1999 and enjoys working with young children. In addition to teaching Music Together, Patti maintains a private piano and voice studio, and instructs the Children's Theatre Program at the McLean Community Center in Virginia.

Recently, Patti performed with the jazz combo at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Tysons Corner and was seen in the Alden Theatre production of HONK! in McLean, Virginia. She has also held starring roles in local offerings of The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Secret Garden, Into the Woods, and Cinderella.

Families who participate in Music Together classes with Patti really enjoy her energy and style. One parent commented, "We have been fortunate enough to have Miss Patti as Sophia’s instructor for both sessions. She is a true natural at teaching and working with young children. Her beautiful voice, great attitude and warm smile make every child in the room truly enjoy this program and ultimately have a love for the art of music. Since beginning the class several months ago, my husband and I cannot get into a vehicle without Sophia asking us to put in her favorite Music Together CD. We cannot ignore her attempts at singing songs before and after her naps or when playing. This just makes us smile."

Amy Smith, a Music Together instructor for Little Steps Music, is a talented vocalist and actor. Amy holds a B.A. in vocal music from the University of Miami and completed her training with the Center for Music and Young Children in 2005. When not instructing Music Together classes, she works with InterAct Story Theatre teaching Creative Kids, an after-school program that allows young children to explore drama and creative play in Washington, DC.

Amy also maintains a private voice and piano studio, and was part of the staff for the University of Miami Summer Children's Theatre Camp in 2001. She currently enjoys singing with the Washington Chorus and can be heard performing at events in and around the metro DC area.

Elnathan Starnes (Nate) has been working as a guitarist and songwriter for thirteen years. He attended Howard University majoring in jazz studies. In late 1997, he founded the alternative soul band, Oktbrwrld (Octoberworld), which won the Washington Area Music Award (Wammie) for Best Contemporary R and B group three years in a row. Oktbrwrld made four CD's, and performed at The Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Kennedy Center, MCI Center, and a Fundraiser for Bill Clinton in 2003. He is also featured on guitar on Kwelismith's CD entitled, "Secret Meeting: Kwanzaa Songs and City Sounds.

In addition to teaching Music Together, Elnathan performs in the area as Mr. Nate, singing original and traditional children's songs, as well as using puppets, playing guitar, and other instruments. Elnathan lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife and two young children.

Deb Stahl, instructor, holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from West Chester University and a Masters in Music from University of Maryland at College Park. She is an accomplished music teacher of children of all ages. She completed training with the Center for Music and Young Children in 2004 and worked for two years for Music Together Montgomery.

Deb currently instructs music classes at Good Shepherd Montessori Pre-School and the City of Rockville Recreation Department in Rockville, MD. When she’s not teaching Music Together, she maintains a private clarinet studio in her Rockville home and enjoys spending time with her two daughters.

Marianna Wise, a Music Together instructor, holds a Bachelor's degree in music and psychology from Svarvas, an early childhood education college in Hungary and has worked with children from infancy to kindergarten. She is a classically trained ballet dancer, experienced pianist and flautist, and an enthusiastic choral musician from a young age.

Marianna completed her training with the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton in June 2005. Marianna recently resigned as a lead pre-school classroom teacher at the World Bank Children's Center in Washington, DC, and is the former assistant director of Childtime Children's Center in Bethesda, Maryland. When she is not teaching Music Together, she instructs music to pre-schoolers in Rockville, Maryland.