Susan B. Leavitt, founder and director of the Family Academy of Music has taught at every grade level. She is recently retired from teaching at the John Lyman School, Middlefield, CT where she was instrumental in continuing a curriculum dedicated to the integration of the arts into the academic curriculum. This included an innovative curriculum geared for emergent readers involving music and movement. Mrs. Leavitt formerly taught in the Stafford School District for more than 30 years. While teaching, she founded the Stafford High School Madrigal Singers, and children’s choruses at the elementary and middle school levels. She has directed and accompanied several high school musicals, served as chairperson for several All State Festivals, and brought a 5 year grant of arts education from the Connecticut Commission of the Arts to the Staffordville School. In addition, she has served as organist and choir director of several churches in the area and has taught piano privately for over 35 years. As co-owner and President of the Preschool of the Arts, Inc. in Tolland and Ellington, Mrs. Leavitt continues to be involved in the education of the whole child using the arts as a vehicle. As a certified music educator, Mrs. Leavitt holds a BM in piano from Hartt College of Music, a MM in music education from the University of Connecticut, a sixth year equivalent from Hartt College and extensive background in early childhood music methods such as Kodaly and Orff. Mrs. Leavitt has completed training in the Musikgarten curriculum focusing on music for babies, toddlers and early childhood methods. She is in demand as an adjudicator and accompanist throughout New England. Mrs. Leavitt enjoys outdoor recreation, walking, hiking, skiing and learning about the world of forest habitat. .