A native of Austin, Texas, Third Coast director Michael Shay grew up in a musical household. The son of a piano teacher and brother to two musical sisters, Michael attributes his musical abilities to growing up in a music-filled environment. As a newborn baby, toddler, and pre-schooler, he played on the living-room floor as his mother taught piano lessons, soaking up the music he heard day after day. As a young person,he learned cello, piano, guitar, and bass, played in orchestras, and was also a student of the Austin Chamber Music Center, where he later became a teacher. Michael plays professionally in multiple genres, including classical, folk, blues, rock, jazz, reggae, tango, Americana, Latin, funk, world music, and more with artists such as The Just Desserts, the Michael Shay Band, Will Taylor and Strings Attached, Libby Kirkpatrick, Zoe Lewis, and more. He has released four original CD's and continues to perform professionally, especially with The Just Desserts.
After years of working with students of all ages in many styles of music and on many different instruments, Michael feels that his primary role as a music educator is to help people access their innate musical instincts and unlock their natural creativity. Understanding the immeasurable impact that those first years of life has on ones musical development led him to the desire to offer music classes for early childhood. Michael is very excited to now be focusing his teaching efforts on what he believes is the best way he can invest in a more musical world for future generations.

Libby Dees will be co-teaching with Michael Shay in Cedar Park, Round Rock, and Buda during the fall session. She just graduated from St. Edwards University with a degree in musical theater. In addition to her extensive performance experience and training in theater, she has also taught young people through the Texas Arts Project for 2 years, and through a theatre outreach program at the YMCA for 4 yrs. Recently, Libby recieved the Austin Critics Table Deacon Crain Award for best body of work over an extended period of time, and has also received three Austin Critics Table Award nominations for her work in musical theatre. Libby is very excited to be teaching Music Together, because she loves helping children experience their love of music! Her positive attitude, big smile, creativity, and excitement about music help make every Music Together class even more fun!

Monika Kiraly believes in little things. She will be co-teaching with Michael in Oak hill, downtown, and Westlake/Barton Creek this fall. Born in Hungary, she is a mother of two, an accordion and flute player, and has a little farm on the outskirts of Austin. Monika has a Masters degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Special Education, a BA in Educational Psychology, and has done post-graduate work in Behavior Analysis. Her extensive experience and education in child development, early childhood, special education, autism, educational psychology, behavior, parental/family support, and parenting will bring a special presence and expertise to the classroom. Monika is very excited to be teaching Music Together, not only because she sees that it includes the best aspects and methods of special education and inclusion all in one place, but also because it is so fun and educational for all children! You can find out more about Monika and her work at www.spectrumkids.org.

Lisa Shawley is a unique musician and teacher. Her 15 years working in Music Therapy have led her to the experience of music as it should be: easy, fun, and full. She enjoys sharing her love of music by facilitating music making among people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. She performs with Michael in their "all around the world" music band, The Just Desserts. Click here to listen to their music together.

Lisa and Michael's workshop will be held in October and November:
International Lullabies: Love Songs for your Unborn Baby
Click here to read for the workshop description