Early ChildHood Music
Samantha Bartholomeusz
Samantha is a passionate early childhood music educator with over 15 years of experience introducing young children to the joy of music. She is Kodály-trained, having completed two levels of Early Childhood Music training, and continues to expand her knowledge through professional development in early childhood music education.
She has been running Music for Little Ears at the Orange Library for 15 years, providing babies and toddlers with a playful and engaging introduction to music. Samantha has also led junior music programs for the past 15 years, including Sing and String and now miniMUSOS, which nurture young children's musical and social development through singing, movement, and interactive music-making. Many of the children she has taught have gone on to formal music studies, and she has watched their development progress all the way to tertiary-level training.
Her teaching is built on the belief that every child is innately musical. Using a fun, play-based approach inspired by Kodály principles, she fosters musical confidence, listening skills, and creativity in young learners. Through singing, games, and movement, she creates a warm and engaging environment where children can explore music naturally.
Samantha is dedicated to helping children develop a lifelong love of music. By providing enriching early musical experiences, she lays the foundation for future learning while ensuring that every child feels joyful, confident, and connected through music.
Meg Clowes
Meg specialises in Early Childhood Music, bringing a profound passion for music education and vocal performance to her teaching. She is committed to fostering musical development in young children, recognising that early exposure to music enhances cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
Meg holds a qualification in Early Childhood Education and is currently completing a Bachelor of Music at the University of New England (UNE). She also holds certificates in Musical Theatre Singing, Classical Singing, and Piano. Committed to ongoing professional growth, Meg continually seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and refine her teaching practice.
Music has been a central part of Meg’s life since childhood. She values the opportunity to share her love of music and to inspire a lifelong engagement with music in every student she teaches.
Carmel Follent
Carmel graduated from the University of Queensland in 1985, majoring in violin and teaching. She taught in schools before moving to the central west of NSW. For the past 25 years she has been involved in local community work, raised her family of boys and continued to teach the creative arts in classrooms and privately. With training and experience in the Suzuki Method and Kodaly she brings a wealth of creativity, fund, insight and passion to her lessons. Carmel teaches violin and the Early Childhood Music (ECM) classes in Orange.