Keara Hailey Gordon is the Director and Co-Founder of Practically Dramatic and leads Music Together® programs in Metuchen, South Orange, Maplewood, and Millburn. With over 20 years of experience as a Music Together® instructor, Keara brings a lifelong passion for the performing arts and arts education to her work. She is a seasoned performer with more than 35 years in the industry as a member of Actor’s Equity and SAG. Keara is a New Jersey-certified Theatre educator (K–12) with a Master’s degree in Theatre Studies from Montclair State University. She is dedicated to inspiring creativity, confidence, and connection in every child and family she works with.

Becki Tarby is a seasoned public school Vocal and General Music Educator with experience teaching PreK through 5th graders. She holds a BM and MEd in Music Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. As an Orff-Shulwerk certified educator, Becki is passionate about helping musicians of all ages create their own music and take ownership of the music they share and perform. 

Aja is a passionate educator with over two decades of teaching experience specializing in early childhood special and general education. Her career has been defined by her commitment to creating environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive. She integrates her love for music, movement, into her teaching, using innovative strategies to deepen student engagement and understanding.

Her expertise in social-emotional learning (SEL) and educational leadership has made her a trusted mentor and coach to both students and fellow educators. Aja’s experience working with preschool and kindergarten inclusion classes focused on individualized instruction and community collaboration.

Aja holds a Master's degree in Special Education from The George Washington University and a Bachelor's degree in Human Development from Howard University. 

Emalina's experience in the music industry as a performer, music director and educator has taken her across the nation, performing in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Hall, and The Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Emalina attended both the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at Cal State Long Beach and Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts where she studied with such artists as James Decker, James Atkinson, Douglas Lundeen and Jerry Peel. She performs regularly with the Plainfield Symphony, Orchestra St. Peter By the Sea, Summit Symphony and can be heard in pit orchestras throughout the tri-state area. Emalina's chamber music accolades include being a guest performer at the International Horn Society Conference with her quartet, "Conical Sound" as well as being a finalist for the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition. As well as being a freelance Hornist and Keyboardist, Emalina is currently a teaching artist at NJPAC Arts Education Program, while also teaching privately and music directing shows throughout New Jersey. In addition to her musical endeavors, Emalina is a Falana’i Mentor and member of the National Pacific Islander Education Network, a nonprofit that strives to help increase educational excellence within her Pacific Islander community.