01 / LEARN
Professional Development
Interactive sessions for early childhood educators exploring music-based strategies for social-emotional learning, math, executive function, and classroom connection.
Professional Learning & Arts Advocacy
Inspiring educators.
Championing the arts.
Transforming early childhood education through the power of music, movement, creativity, and connection.
Engaging professional development and inspiring presentations for teachers, school leaders, and organizations who believe the arts belong at the heart of learning.
What we do
Professional learning that moves people.
Thoughtful, practical experiences that help educators make music and movement a natural part of every school day.
02 / INSPIRE
Speaking & Conferences
Engaging breakout sessions and presentations that connect the arts with meaningful early childhood outcomes and leave audiences with ideas they can use.
03 / ADVOCATE
Arts Integration & Advocacy
Support for schools and organizations seeking to make creative, arts-integrated learning more accessible, intentional, and impactful.
Our guiding belief
“The arts are not an extra in education. They are essential.”
When we bring music and movement into early learning, we do more than teach songs. We nurture belonging, curiosity, communication, and the skills children use across every domain of development.
Meet the founder
Katie O'Dea
Early Childhood Music Specialist · Teaching Artist · Speaker
Katie brings a decade of experience as the former owner and director of Heartland Music Together to her work with educators and school leaders. Her career centers on a simple idea: music and movement open doors to connection, creativity, and growth.
She continues to contribute to the Music Together In-School curriculum department at Music Together Worldwide and has presented at NAEYC, Montessori, and Head Start conferences.
Drawing on extensive research in early childhood music education and child development, Katie helps educators translate evidence-informed practices into meaningful classroom experiences. Her approach emphasizes inclusive music and movement activities that welcome children of different abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles, helping every child feel seen, connected, and able to participate.
Through Heartwise Collective, Katie shares engaging, practical approaches that help teachers weave music and movement into everyday classroom experiences.
Invite Katie to SpeakBring heartwise to your team
A little music can change a lot.
Let's design an experience that meets your educators where they are.
Let's connect
Bring creativity into the conversation.
Planning a staff development day, conference, or school-wide learning experience? Tell us a little about what you have in mind.
Based in Louisville, Kentucky
Available for virtual and in-person engagements.
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