Inspiring Conversations with Meghan Kennedy of Music in The Beat Hive

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Kennedy.

Hi Meghan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I found music very early on in life and it has always been part of my most joyful moments in life. I played flute throughout my childhood and teenage years, and studied Music Education in college. I spent the early years of my teaching career teaching elementary general music, band, chorus and a little bit of high school marching band in the public school system. I loved finding ways to engage students in fun, playful and educational musical experiences. I also loved the challenge of working with kids as young as pre-school, all the way up to high schoolers.

I took some time away from teaching to be home with my first child a few years ago. During that time, I started looking for a professional and creative outlet. I wanted to get music teaching back into my life, but I needed to find something that would give me the flexibility to be home with my son. I stumbled upon Music Together (R) during this time. It’s a beautiful, research-based early childhood music and movement program that can be found in communities throughout the world. I was drawn to so many parts of their approach including: family-centered music education (classes are for kids and their grown-ups), kids are welcome to be themselves and are met where they are in their development, kids of different ages attend classes together, and all the ways childrens’ innate musicality is nutured while also supporting other areas of development (linguistic, physical, social, emotional). I was invigorated by the possibility of becoming a Music Together teacher and went through the process of becoming a licensed teacher and center director in early 2025. At the same time, I went through the process of creating my business, Music in The Beat Hive.

So in May 2025, I launched my first classes with the goal to increase the opportunity for joyful music making experience for families in the area. In the past year, I have taught classes in Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs and have served hundreds of families through classes and community events. I love getting to work with our youngest musicians and helping families find ways to play musically with their children. I love the program as both a parent and a music educator and I genuinely experience so much joy when teaching Music Together classes (especially classes that my own children come to!).

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think finding exactly what I wanted my music teaching career to look like after becoming a mom was not always clear. I had known that I wanted to teach music since I was a teenager, and I have always seen that as a big purpose in my life. I’ve taught music through many different avenues and to kids and adults of all ages, but I was always drawn to the uninhibited joy of music making with younger musicians. So after a maternity leave, saying goodbye to my elementary music classroom, and a brief hiatus from teaching music (other than to my own child), I started to think about how I could teach music again. I kept coming back to this idea of servicing young musicians and families. While I didn’t know exactly how to accomplish that at first, I knew that as a mom, I also was always looking for activities that were inclusive, engaging for both parents and kids, and something that worked with naptime schedules! I spent a while figuring out where to find my new path as a music teacher, and once I found Music Together classes, I was then presented with the logistics of starting my own business. It hasn’t always been a smooth journey with the logistics of finding class locations and finding timings that work best for everyone, but the majority of my working time is spent teaching music, and that’s a beautiful thing!

As you know, we’re big fans of Music in The Beat Hive. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Through my business, I provide music-making experiences for people of all ages. I have the perspective of a certified music educator, professional musician, and parent. All of these aspects of my life and career have helped inform exactly what I want my music classes to look like. I am thankful to have crafted a business around my passions, and have been excited to see the benefit of these classes in the community, and for my own family!

A big part of my business is teaching Music Together (registered) classes for kids o-5 and the grown-ups who love them (TM). These classes really embrace community. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and grown-ups are all learning and experiencing music together in the same class. And, class is not just for kids! Everyone is an important part of the musical environment. I always tell the parents and caregivers that they are their kids’ favorite musicians. So while I am facilitating the music-making experience, kids are tuned into what their grown-ups are doing and learning from them. I help families see how they can incorporate music at home, so that it’s not just a once-a-week class experience, it becomes part of their daily lives. The goal is to make everyone’s lives more musical and to find songs and activities that can help accomplish that. Maybe a family wants to know how to engage their child in early talking (we love that musical babble!), or maybe they’re looking for more of a repertoire of music including lullabies for bedtime. They can find all of that through these classes, and more.

I offer classes on a semester basis (winter, spring, summer, and fall). Each season features a different song collection and brings new activities where we sing, dance, play, use instruments and props, and enjoy these songs together. To go along with that goal of continuing the music-making at home, families receive an illustrated songbook featuring all of these songs. They also get access to an app with professional recordings for all of the songs (and there’s a CD too if they’d like!). There are 12 song collections, so families are experiencing new music through most of their journey, and can continue to sign up for new sessions with the expectation of new songs and activities. Classes are offered in and around Alpharetta and the most up-to-date class offerings can be found on my website: www.musicinthebeathive.com

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve found what my true passion is in the music education space. While I have always known I wanted to teach music, I felt that there were a lot of different ways that could come to fruition. I’ve taught elementary band, elementary chorus, elementary general music, high school marching band, and now our youngest musicians. Finding ways to make music fun, accessible and meaningful to young learners is where my passion lies. Being able to craft a career around my passion, and the experiences that meant most to me as a young musician, feels like such a privilege. Finding a way to incorporate joy in your work, especially if it can include your passions, can be very fulfilling! I feel like I am getting to play with a purpose, and that is exactly what happens in my classes. Having fun, experiencing joy, while building important skills as musicians and as developing children!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.musicinthebeathive.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicinthebeathive/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574863531907