A Note From Mrs. Jo-
It’s fall, and the changing season brings new faces to WeJoySing. We welcome our new family. We’re delighted to get to know you. We’re also excited to grow our relationship with returning families. Terrific new teachers have become part of the WeJoySing Family as well. Meet them here in this issue of Music Notes.

Remember to “Share the Joy” by telling friends about WeJoySing. YOU know the infinite value of HeartStrings and Music & Me; YOU are our best advertising. When you “Share the Joy,” your friend receives a discount and you get money back! It’s our way of saying “Thank You!”

A New “Quartet” at WeJoySing

Four new teachers bring their talents and enthusiasm to WeJoySing classrooms in the Columbus area. Introducing… Mrs. Sara will be at our Marysville location; Mrs. Liz, is scheduled in Upper Arlington, New Albany and Westerville; Mrs. Deb will be at the Purple Door Childcare Center, the Chase Back-Up Center, and the Montessori Children’s House; and Ms. Tiffany, music therapist, will be teaching in Dublin, New Albany, and Upper Arlington.

This month, get to know Mrs. Sara McSwords and Mrs. Liz Smith. The October issue of Music Notes will feature “Mrs. Deb” and “Ms. Tiffany.”

"Mrs Sara" and her "four little monkeys" had fun monkeying around at Kalahari this summer.

Sara McSwords
Shuttling four kids from swim team to girls scouts to baseball and back again is no burden for Sara McSwords. “I love seeing my kids being active and having fun!” she attests. Twins Kayla and Shelby are 9 ½ and going into the 4th grade at Navin Elementary. Logan is six and attends kindergarten at Trinity Lutheran School, and the baby of the family, Brody is two years old. Like their mommy, all of the children love to sing!

Teaching at the Marysville location is a perfect fit, since Sara and her family are already very involved in the Marysville community. They attend Marysville First United Methodist Church, where Sara is the VBS “song lady” for 300+ children who attend each summer. Her family is also involved in Pioneer club and other activities there. She is enjoying her 14th year of marriage to her “wonderful husband Joe,” who teaches physical education at Marysville High School (he’s also the Girls’ Varsity Soccer Coach.)

Sara graduated from Otterbein College in 1995 with a major in public relations and a music minor. Since that time, she has directed children’s musicals and taught Sunday School. Her favorite memories involving children are “hugs and smiles from the kids that know me from VBS…or just about any time I hear one of my kids and their sweet, pure voice [singing songs] of praise to the Lord…”

If someone were to write a song about Mrs. Sara’s life, it would have to be sung Broadway Musical Style and would reflect her family with a title of “Party of Six: Loud, Lively, and Loving…”

Liz Smith
Elizabeth Smith enjoys being creative “in every way.” Not only does she bring to WeJoySing a wealth of vocal experience and training, she is also a visual artist. Her artwork can be seen all over the walls not only of her Granville home, but in others’ homes as well. “When I have extra time, I have so much fun painting custom artwork for children’s bedrooms.” Her son Connor (3) loves to paint with her.

Liz has sung in chamber, church, and show choirs, and has always loved being on stage; she has a real passion for musical theater, but her favorite captive audience is right at home. Baby Brooke (4 ½ months) has fun “dancing” to their “jam sessions” when she plays the guitar.

Liz married her “amazing husband and high school sweetheart,” Tommy, in 2002. The couple recently returned to their hometown of Granville, where they’re happy to reside near both sets of their children’s proud grandparents.

The family first learned of WeJoySing when Connor was 16 months old, in Mrs. Nancy’s class. “’Mrs. Nancy’ soon became a household name in our family…we instantly fell in love with the program. We are amazed with how much Connor has grown and developed from participating in a program for 1/2 hour one time a week…” As a parent, she was enthralled with the curriculum, and now as a teacher, she is “THRILLED” to have the opportunity to “watch children explore and discover life” through musical and artistic experiences.

“Mrs. Liz” says that her life song would have to be a “folksy tune,” titled simply: Blessed.