About

Meet the Clap for Classics! Creators

Clap for Classics! was co-founded by Elizabeth Nixon and Kathryn Lieppman: classically trained, musician-mom sisters. They share a passion for classical music and its role in the lives of children. They create music courses for kids from birth to six years old (and beyond!) that center around classical music while also incorporating folk and children’s songs, lots of movement, singing, instruments and plenty of giggles!

Elizabeth Nixon, mother of 5 and army wife, loves to travel and explore with her family wherever they live, currently that is Ankara, Turkey.

She has a music degree from Central Washington University and many years of experience teaching music to kids. Connecting with families through music (especially her own) is her favorite thing.

She loves her roles in Clap for Classics including teaching, podcasting and connecting with families from all around the world.

Kathryn Lieppman lives in Tucson, Arizona and is a mom to two young music-makers. She does much of the curriculum planning for Clap for Classics, and enjoys planning classes that are chock full of high quality music and engaging activities for kids that their parents can enjoy, too. Kathryn has been teaching early childhood music for six years, and is also a classical pianist and piano teacher. She is passionate about sharing great classical music with others in a way that is fun and accessible. She has also discovered a knack for writing kids' songs that are clever, catchy, and (usually) educational too. Outside of music, Kathryn enjoys biking, hiking, and trying new restaurants.

Our "Four Seasons: Music and More" curriculum includes 3 other educators.

Krisanne Knudsen is an art historian and museum educator who lives in American Fork with her husband and three bright, inquisitive children. She loves going to art museums, collecting children's picture books, and talking with families about the world's mosts remarkable artists. She shares her passion for art history and art education on Instagram at The Making Table.

Leslie Thomas, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, has taught creative writing and English literature in New York City, San Francisco, and Huntsville. She has a degree in English literature from Vassar College and studied in the M.F.A. poetry program of Sarah Lawrence College. She is a Waldorf trained teacher, homeschool mom, trained yoga instructor and published author and poet.

Dr. Rojas, is a neuroscientist PhD and Boston STEM Lab’s founder and instructor. She designs, develops and instructs STEM enrichment programs for children. Dr. Rojas’ hands -on STEM Labs take advantage of children’s natural curiosity to facilitate learning through play and inquiry, building problem solving, critical and creative thinking.