by Mary Jo David

Imagine teaching and never having to struggle to get your students to engage. For that matter, imagine being a student in a class where pretty much every student wants to be there. From the sound of it—and sound is the operative word here—that’s what it’s like to be in Jenny Laveirge’s music classes.

Laveirge teaches music to students in kindergarten through four at Heritage School. She began teaching in Stockbridge in 2012 after teaching in Bay City and then Trenton.

Reflecting on why her students always seem happy to be in music class, Laveirge said, “I think the reason my students are such willing learners is that I try to create a classroom environment where it is a safe place to just be themselves. I try to make music accessible to all of these kids despite where their skills are.”

Laveirge emphasizes doing music—singing, moving, dancing, playing instruments.

“The goal is to make music class a joyful experience and to speak to the whole child so they will want to come to class,” says Laveirge. She does this through play-based instruction that relies on imagination.

Music has been a focal point in her own life since she was young. She began Polish dance when she was only 3 years old and continued the lessons until she was 18. She still enjoys celebrating this special talent; the highlight for her is performing with her dance troupe on the field for Polish Night at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Also when she was young, her grandmother began teaching her piano. Later, while attending Milford High School, Laveirge participated in the symphonic band and marching band. The latter afforded her the opportunity to compete in statewide competitions and also Nationals every year. Her senior year of high school, she had the honor of leading the band as the school’s drum major.

From playing school with her two younger sisters as a child to working as a camp counselor for 10 years, there’s really never been a doubt that she wanted to become a music teacher.

The next logical step in pursuing that dream was attending Michigan State University. There she played the alto saxophone in the Spartan Marching Band and the clarinet in the Symphony Band while earning her degree in music education. Later, at Madonna University in Livonia, she earned her master’s in educational technology.

Over time, Laveirge learned to play 12 musical instruments, many when she was majoring in music at MSU. One of these was the stand-up bass—no small feat considering this music teacher stands about 5 feet 1 inch tall and most stand-up basses range from 5 feet to almost 6 feet tall! Nowadays, she focuses on piano, guitar, ukulele and the recorder.

Just as she suspected when she was young, Laveirge loves her job as a music teacher.

“I have fun making music with my students every day,” she said. “It’s the best. I feel like I have an ‘ah-hah’ moment with them daily.”

One example of the joys of teaching is when she describes a student in her class who is nonverbal in all of his other classes. Laveirge had no idea at first because in her class he opens up.

“He started with singing music patterns and the resting tone [the home pitch] for a song. All of the kids in the class were ecstatic. Many of them chimed in with, ‘You did it!’ What a win it is to get to see what he is capable of through music,” she exclaimed.

Every December, this energetic music teacher pulls together a Smith Winter Concert for her students in kindergarten through second grade.

“For so many kids this is their first experience going on a stage, and they’re looking out at hundreds of people in the audience. Many have to overcome stage fright. It’s such a treat to see them so proud and beaming when they are on that stage,” Laveirge said.

Her co-worker Jaclyn Lennemann, an art teacher at Heritage, commented on Laveirge’s school programs. “The concerts and special music and dance events Jenny organizes multiple times throughout the year are nothing short of magical!”

Laveirge compares her job to organizing five performances every day. When she comes home at the end of the day, she’s been known to tell her husband, Brian, “I feel like I put on five birthday parties today!”

And it’s not like Laveirge just goes home after work and puts her feet up. She and Brian have two young children, Dominic (8) and Mary (6). Both kids are involved in extracurricular activities like mountain biking and wrestling, and LaVeirge also participates on a mountain-biking race team.

As a parent, she reminds other parents: “The most powerful learning happens through connection. Read and sing with your children, even if you don’t think you’re good at it. Play games. Be silly. Dance in the kitchen—because all of these moments build confidence, creativity, and joy!”

She also has advice for new teachers just starting out: Know that there are ups and downs but the job is fun and rewarding, so stay on the ride!

All photos provided by Jenny Laveirge.