Listening with Her Whole Self: Kleo in Mini Mozarts
When Zhanina and her daughter Kleo joined Mini Mozarts, it was clear from the start that music already held a special place in their family. With a deep appreciation for creativity and architecture, Zhanina recognized the value of early classical music education—not just as a skill-building activity, but as a way to support emotional expression, attention, and connection.
Each week in class, Kleo listens with intention. Whether she’s tapping along to Verdi’s “Triumphal March,” moving gently to Grieg’s “Morning Mood,” or curiously exploring a new instrument, her musical responses feel whole-hearted and deeply felt. What follows are reflections from her mother—thoughtful, insightful, and full of warmth.
Kleo holding her violin in class, focused and ready — a beautiful moment of connection and concentration.
Kleo and Zhanina — joyful musical explorers in and out of class.
A Reflection from Zhanina — Mini Mozarts Parent
What inspired you to sign Kleo up for Mini Mozarts here in Mid-Cambridge?
Kleo has had a special interest in music since a young baby (to be frank, since birth as she came out into the world during Jamiroquai’s “Cosmic Girl” that her dad played to cheer me up in the delivery room). She has a growing collection of music books that includes Classical music (Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach), Jazz, Disco, Hip Hop, and recently her new favorite Reggae. We started taking her to baby sing-alongs at the library since 6 months old. She got her first baby piano for her first birthday and soon after joined a music class in Boston Commons, where she discovered drumming and guitar. Kleo loves extended family gatherings as they often entail impromptu playing of guitars and piano, accompanied by enthusiastic singing; she always finds herself in the middle of it all. Whether there is an organized concert or a street musician, Kleo stops to focus on the instruments and dances in the rhythm. Naturally, when I heard about Mini Mozarts classes, I immediately signed Kleo up! We have been going for 7 months now and love it.
Beaming with joy — Kleo at home with a real violin, proudly showing her love for strings.
Kleo always brings her cardboard violin with such pride, and she listens so intently during rhythm and piano parts of class. Have there been any moments where you saw her connection to classical music — something that surprised or moved you as a parent?
Kleo loves the cardboard violin that Miss Sofija gave her! We keep it in the living room and she often hides the bow to make sure no one takes it away. I get excited whenever she reaches to play her violin or asks to play the piano in our basement. When she listens to music — especially classical — she often closes her eyes, makes a serious face, and starts gently swaying, as if feeling the music deeply. Recently, she started sitting in her small chair with a mini guitar, playing the strings and humming her own songs with passion.
Are there any joyful or meaningful experiences from Mini Mozarts that have stayed with you — either as a mom or from watching Kleo explore the world of strings, piano, and rhythm in a creative way?
Taking Kleo to Mini Mozarts is a special treat for me; as a mom, I feel lucky that Kleo has a chance to develop and grow her interest in music from such a young age. She often continues repeating the class exercises at home — for example, singing her favorite “up and down” song in the shower. She also loves to teach her friends (or us, her parents) about some of the exercises, such as playing the scale on the piano: “Like this, mummy.” Witnessing Kleo build her own confidence on what she learns is heartwarming.
Teaching from the heart — Kleo shows a younger friend how to play a piano scale, just like in Mini Mozarts.
Kleo composing at home on her rainbow keyboard—playful exploration that mirrors our in-class improvisations.
You’ve built a meaningful path both professionally and personally — including earning a Master’s in Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. Would you feel comfortable sharing a little about your background or journey, and how your experience as an architect may connect to your perspective as a parent? I think many families in our community would be inspired by that blend of creativity, structure, and care.
Professionally, I am an architect. Over the past 10+ years, I have been lucky to work on exciting and challenging university projects, a couple in our neighborhood even. It takes a long time — typically several years — to create a meaningful and beautiful building that enriches the human experience. I often call my projects “my babies” as each one requires a great deal of creativity, patience, communication, negotiation, research, and care. There are many parallels with mothering. Personally, I am Bulgarian, married to a Greek, living in mid-Cambridge. Traveling used to be my hobby before becoming a mother; my husband and I were lucky to do a 7-month world trip right before the pandemic that taught me tremendously about the different ways of being in the world. I care deeply to expose Kleo to our original cultures as well as many different perspectives. I value music precisely because it is a beautiful art form that connects people regardless of origin, background, or beliefs.
Music, family, and wonder — a shared journey that stretches beyond the classroom.
Is there anything you’d like to share with other families who are curious about early childhood music education or introducing classical music to their little ones — especially through a program like Mini Mozarts?
Mini Mozarts is a wonderful chance to introduce a child to the foundations of music education through engaging and fun exercises. Miss Sofija brings so much care, creativity, focus, and patience and finds ways to engage every child. The groups are small and intimate allowing each kid to get personal attention, while also working together and performing as a group. There are small pianos, violins, and drums for all and an amazing live accompaniment of a piano and a violin. Every class builds on some of the repeated exercises while introducing a novelty. The class is also a great opportunity to build a community of friends. We have met wonderful families from the neighborhood and are currently enrolled with several of Kleo’s close playground friends. It is a great time to catch up, while enjoying our kids’ interactions and performances.
Kleo is also beginning to create music of her own. In another video, she’s seen strumming a mini guitar while singing her own melody — fully immersed in the moment. These glimpses into her musical world show how early exposure to classical music builds not only listening and coordination but also imagination and emotional expression. It’s not about perfect notes — it’s about discovering the voice within.
This spring, Kleo completed a full semester of Mini Mozarts — and proudly received her certificate, a joyful reflection of all the musical curiosity and growth she’s shown over the past months.
Kleo proudly holding her Mini Mozarts certificate — a moment that celebrates months of curiosity, musical growth, and joyful exploration through classical music.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you, Zhanina, Kosta and Kleo, for sharing your journey with us. Your story reminds us why we do this work — not simply to teach notes or rhythms, but to create space for children to grow into themselves through Classical music. When a child listens with their whole body, teaches what they’ve learned, or composes their own melody, we know something special is happening.
Stay tuned for our next story, where we’ll hear from Ana and her son Mateo — a new Mini Mozarts student who joined through a spontaneous moment and quickly found his rhythm.