Montessori Mozarts was founded more than 25 years ago in the city of Windsor, Ontario. We are thrilled to have watched our program expand to new cities and countries by means of international teachers, passionate parents, and Montessori teacher training centers.
A Note from the Director and Founder, Prof. Maureen Harris
Welcome to the exciting world of Montessori Mozarts! Where the art of making music is nurtured and celebrated. We hope that what you discover here will enlighten and excite you. Our team at Montessori Mozarts look forward to seeing you at our lessons, recitals and community performances. We are very excited about our venture and believe that your relationship with us will have a truly significant impact on your child’s introduction to the art of making music and continued music study towards excellence.
Respectfully,
Prof. M. Harris
At Montessori Mozarts, it’s all about the student:
Your child’s musical experiences and learning are very important to us. At Montessori Mozarts, our philosophy is to provide a warm and supportive environment in which all students can explore the world of music with confidence and joy that cultivates a lifelong passion for music.
Young students are introduced to music in a fun-filled group class based on the Montessori philosophy of education. Elementary students move on to traditional/contemporary lessons in piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, keyboarding, drumming and JamBeat! - our music technology course.
Your child’s interests and passions play a huge role in the material selection and development of their music lessons. Our teachers’ goal is to ensure their students leave their lessons happy, confident, and excited to develop their musical talents!
Why take advantage of adding music to your child’s life?
Music engages children physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially. Montessori Mozarts provides opportunities for our students to pay attention to relationships, work on creative thinking, problem solving, risk-taking, teamwork and communication – precisely the skills needed in a 21st century global economy.
Our History
Montessori Mozarts was founded in 2005 by Professor Maureen Harris through incorporating the leading approaches and philosophies that influence early childhood, music and movement education today.
The culmination of piano and vocal performance, studio teaching, student mentoring and many years teaching young Montessori students led to the design and philosophy behind Montessori Mozarts.
In 2008, due to the growing demands of the students, Montessori Mozarts Elementary was created to serve the needs of those wishing for more formal instruction. In 2009 our teacher mentoring program was launched in conjunction with the University of Windsor’s Bachelor of Education Teacher Graduate Program.
Montessori Mozarts has been offering music lessons at the Children’s House Montessori daycares since their opening, and in 2013 Montessori Mozarts began offering music lessons at Lakeview Montessori School in Lakeshore.
The teachers at Montessori Mozarts *link to staff* continue this legacy at our various lesson locations, and a number have distinguished themselves in competitions and performances. In addition, many of Professor Harris’s former students hold teaching positions at recognized institutions.
The teachers at Montessori Mozarts continue this legacy at our four lesson locations, and a number have distinguished themselves in competitions and performances. In addition, many of Professor Harris's former students hold teaching positions at recognized institutions.
In 2020 we introduced online lessons*link to online lessons* into our studio, so that we could continue bringing the gift of music into as many lives as possible.
Prof M. Harris- Founder and Director of Montessori Mozarts
Professor M. Harris was born in Ireland and emigrated to Canada after completing her studies in piano in Europe. She graduated with a M.Ed and B.Mus from the University of Windsor, has an Early Childhood Education certification from Michigan State University, and received her Montessori teacher certification from American Montessori Society. She has over 25 years of music experience in performance and instruction, with an extensive background in early childhood education. She shares a deep commitment to the Montessori philosophy and instilling a lifetime appreciation of music in every child!
Harris’s dedication to teaching has been recognized by her being granted national awards such as the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the University of Windsor Alumni Award of Merit, and the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association Hugheen Ferguson Teacher of the Year Award 2009 “in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the teaching profession and lifetime commitment to educating the young child.”
She continues to share her musical knowledge with fellow educators throughout the world, including the children and schools she visits in Tanzania, Africa. Harris’s book released by MENC, ‘ Music and the Young Mind – enhancing brain development and engaging learning’ was launched in 2009 at the World Forum Foundation conference in Ireland, and her other book ‘Montessori Mozarts’ is available here.
You can contact Prof. Harris directly at maureen@montessorimozarts.com
Meet Our Staff
At Montessori Mozarts, we believe that music instruction is most effective when tailored to the individual student. It was for this reason that we hired innovative, versatile teachers who have the skill set needed to help reach the goals of each unique student.
Leah Harris
Business Development Manager
Leah Harris is a pianist, vocalist, and songwriter with a background in education and e-learning design. Leah has been a professional musician and educator for 15 years. She attended Berklee College of Music for Piano Performance, and now holds two Bachelor degrees, both in Music and in Education. Leah gained most of her live performance experience in the Detroit and New York music scenes before moving to Sweden in 2013 for a teaching job at an international school.
In 2015, Leah moved to Finland for a job at Helsinki-based startup Yousician, where she designed the Yousician Piano educational program from scratch – now the world’s most popular piano learning app used by over a million students.
Leah has been a part of Montessori Mozarts since its early days, and is excited to be back in Canada for her new role as Business Development Manager. She is passionate about the future of the company and looking forward to the many exciting plans ahead!
Contact: leah@montessorimozarts.com
Amelia Daigle
Marketing Coordinator; Teacher: Voice, Piano
Windsor native, Amelia Daigle is a professional opera singer who has graced stages in both Europe and across North America singing roles such as Bizet's Carmen and Rossini's La Cenerentola. Praised for her rich mezzo voice and musicality, Ms. Daigle recently placed first at the National Music Festival in Edmonton, Alberta in the Voice Category where she competed against singers from across Canada.
When she is not onstage performing, Amelia enjoys teaching music workshops and private lessons to singers of all ages and levels as a way of encouraging music appreciation and inspiring students to think both critically and creatively. Ms. Daigle holds a Master's degree in Vocal Performance and Literature from Western University and a BMus and minor in French Studies from the University of Windsor. Amelia is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Windsor, ON where she will be joining the distinguished faculty at Montessori Mozarts this fall!
Sophia Bachetti
Teacher: Piano, Flute, Group
Sophia is a second year student studying Forensic Science at the University of Windsor. She has been involved in music from an early age and has thirteen years of piano experience. From her classical studies at Academy Ste. Cecile, she has earned her Grade 8 Royal Conservatory for piano and theory. She has also earned her Grade 9 Royal Conservatory for both music history and harmony, which she uses to explain the influence of musical periods on music for her students.
Sophia has been involved in performing throughout her life in talent shows, recitals, and through volunteering. Although piano is her main instrument, she has also enjoyed playing the flute for five years in both concert and jazz bands in high school. Sophia loved mentoring music in her school, and now is thrilled to be a part of the Montessori Mozarts team!
Aaron Gasparini
Guitar, Piano, Voice
Aaron has been thoroughly involved in many facets of music since a young age. He has eleven years of guitar playing experience and has a deep appreciation and knowledge of the instrument. In the past, Aaron has been involved in a number of musical theatre productions and has a great deal of vocal training and experience. He is currently studying music at the University of Windsor in the B.A Music program. He has performed both as a solo act and as part of a group for more than half his life.
An enthusiastic individual, Aaron has a rather eclectic musical sense and finds immense happiness in whatever sort of musical endeavour he embarks on. He also happens to be certified in JamBeat - our brand new music technology course. Aaron is very excited to pass on his joy and passion for music to all who wish to learn!