Staff

Rob received his Bachelor of Music Performance and Master of Music Education degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and also studied at the Juilliard School. He began his career as a trumpet player with the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in South Africa and has since performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet. He currently enjoys playing with the Sentimental Journey Orchestra, a jazz band in Atlanta.

Realizing that early childhood is the most important time for music development, Rob decided to leave his position as a school band director - after 12 years in that role - to work with young children. After exploring existing early childhood music programs and not finding one that combined outstanding educational content, music that parents enjoy, and a fun, interactive classroom environment, he decided to create his own program.

The result was that in 1998, Rob developed The Music Class curriculum. He wrote, arranged, and recorded the music while also creating the teaching methods that define the program. He is proud to have built The Music Class with the support of his wife, Michele, and their children, Raina and Brian. Starting at just eight years old, Raina composed many of our most popular songs, and Brian has been singing on recordings since the age of two. Rob is grateful to the many talented teachers whose expertise and passion have contributed to the continued success of The Music Class.
Favorite TMC Moment
I love meeting up with families years after they have graduated from TMC. It’s wonderful to see that for so many, music and other creative arts continue to play a significant and joyful part in their lives.
TMC Song that gets stuck in your head
Whatever the last song is I just heard!
When I’m not making music, I’m...
Kayaking, traveling, and volunteering as Chairman of the Cornerstone Jazz Foundation.

Raina has been involved in The Music Class since her father, Rob Sayer, started the company when she was 8 years old. For the past 10 years, Raina has been the director of TMC in China and created a specialized curriculum for non-English speakers. Raina is now the COO of The Music Class and will take the reins of this family business when Rob retires!
Favorite TMC moment
It is the best thing in the world to get to take my son to The Music Class and participate now as a parent! It's so much fun. 🥰
TMC song that's always stuck in your head
"Brush a Brush" from The Lion Collection - We use it as our diaper-changing song! "Changing diapers in the morning time..."
When I'm not making music, I'm...
Doing long stroller walks around our neighborhood, checking out every ATL coffee shop, and hanging with my friends and their kids!

David Wetzel is the Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology at The Music Class. He manages the day-to-day operations of the corporate office and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Atlanta center. In addition, David's responsibilities extend beyond Atlanta, where he works directly with international centers offering TMC programs around the world. David is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, and lives in Roswell, GA. 

TMC song that's always stuck in your head
"Going to the Supermarket" from The Bunny Collection 

When I'm not making music, I'm...
Racing road and gravel bikes in beautiful places.

Jen Lathrop is the Executive Vice President of Strategy and Curriculum Development. She has always been super-passionate about music for everyone – and even more so after being a "Music Class Mom" with her own children! Jen took a round-about path to music, with stops in construction engineering and city planning - but she has always found joy in movement and music, and making it into her life's work has been a gift. Jen started teaching with TMC in 2004, and has since taken on administrative duties, including training and managing centers and schools all over the world! 
Favorite TMC Moment
It’s impossible to choose one moment after over 2 decades of teaching. My favorite time as a teacher is when you get that moment of connection with each child. Sometimes it’s a sweet wave, or a shy smile, or an enthusiastic hug that knocks me over, or a kiddo telling me ALL THEIR NEWS as soon as they walk in the door. Mostly, I just love hearing “Ms. Jen!” from them! 😊
TMC Song that's always stuck in your head
“Lilly Llama” from The Panda Collection
When I'm not making music, I'm...  
Knitting,  hanging out with my family, snuggling my (many) cats, and randomly coloring the white streak in my hair.
In addition to English, I speak...  
Spanish

Marcy is the voice you are likely to hear when calling The Music Class office! She is from the Atlanta area and was a parent in The Music Class back in 1998 with her oldest son. She was also in class with son number two in 2001 and again from 2012 to 2015 with her favorite little girl. She is looking forward to taking her grandson to TMC's newest East Point location this fall! Marcy loves talking on the phone with parents, grandparents, and caregivers, so if you ever need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call her up!
Favorite TMC Moment
The Halloween Concerts. I love seeing the kiddos in their costumes and their happy faces. I also enjoy seeing the parents and grandparents who come. It's such a family fun event!
TMC song that's always stuck in your head
"Dream of Me and You" from The Tiger Collection
When I'm not making music, I'm...
Watching the kids play their sports or reading a good book.

After 15 years in the corporate world, Jeff found himself unemployed and unfulfilled. On the way to Music Class one day, his daughter joked, “You should work for The Music Class!” Imagine Jeff's surprise when, at class, there was a job posting on the whiteboard! A month and a half later, he is so excited to have joined the team and to be working to bring the joy of music into children’s lives. Jeff has always had a love of music that he fostered from elementary school through college band, playing saxophone, flute, and tuba. He now enjoys passing this passion on to his daughter Alexandra and son Cameron, who have been going to The Music Class basically their whole lives.

Favorite TMC moment
Alexandra and Cameron fill our house with music all day by either singing songs or doing their bum-bums, all thanks to The Music Class!

TMC song that's always stuck in your head
How could I choose just one?! “Panda Pete” from Panda, “Down by the Riverside” on Pony, “Riding in My Car” from Bear, I could go on and on….

When I am not making music, I'm…..
Spend time with my family, cook, and play board games.