WHO is Miss Angie?

Angie Pope, creator and founder of “Miss Angie’s Music” (photo by Michelle Baisa)

Miss Angie has been offering high-quality early childhood musical programs all over Chicago’s south suburbs since 2013! She enjoys teaching all levels of classes from baby to pre-school age. She has also run successful programs at several Montessori schools in the area. She has entertained children and their families at countless farmers markets, libraries, school functions, Girl Scout gatherings, and mom group meetings. Since 2020 she has also volunteered at Gigi’s Playhouse in Tinley Park, where she teaches the monthly “Music in Motion” program.

Angie Pope has been performing on stage for as long as she can remember! Having enrolled in dance classes at the young age of 4, she graduated from Rockford College (now Rockford University) in 1996 with a double major in dance and psychology and a minor in theatre. Upon graduating she was the recipient of the Leonard Bernstein award, for excellence in the three performing arts: theatre, music, and dance. She immediately began a career on stage, performing professionally in musical theatre and revue shows throughout the country. Some of her favorite places that she performed include Carnival Cruiselines, Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL), Drury Lane Water Tower (Chicago), Bearcreek Farms(Bryant, IN) and Bailiwick Repertoire (Chicago).

Tired of traveling, she settled back in the Chicago area in 2001 and began a career as a professional vocalist. She is currently a lead singer with the Becca Kaufman Orchestra and occasionally does freelance recording projects, having sung and done voiceovers for many demos and commercials. Her love for children’s music led her to performing with “The Sparklemonkeys,” a pop/rock band that creates fun original dance music for kids – and adults! (Check out The Sparklemonkeys here!) She was also a member of TheatreBAM Chicago for ten years, performing in their educational musical shows including “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” based on the popular cartoon series.

Angie trained in early childhood music education with Musikgarten, and began her teaching career in 2010 at Musikgarten of Oak Park with Amy Pappageorge. In 2013 she began her own teaching business, “Miss Angie’s Music.”

Angie now lives in Palos Heights, IL with her husband Ty and daughter Carol. She is blessed beyond measure to do what she loves for a living!

Angie playing the drums at age 3

Angie playing the drums at age 3

WHY Miss Angie’s Music?

The first years of a child’s life are crucial.  The things children are exposed to in these early years can make a huge impact on the rest of their lives. When I trained with Musikgarten to become an early childhood music educator, I was amazed by the things I learned. Did you know that hearing is the first sense to develop in utero, at 4-1/2 months? That is why newborn babies and young toddlers who may not seem to be responding to or participating in music activities are still gaining so much from music class. A sense of tone and steady beat can be absorbed into the child before they can walk and talk. And one of the most exciting and gratifying things to observe is the day a very young child starts tapping his or her rhythm sticks to the beat, or a toddler finally echoes a tone pattern totally on pitch! 

When I was growing up, nothing like Miss Angie’s Music existed in our area at the time, but music was a constant in our household. The Wurlitzer organ in our living room was always being played, the record player was always going, and music shows like “Soul Train” and “American Bandstand” were on TV every week. My mother always says I was pulling myself up in my playpen to dance to the music on “Soul Train” before I could walk!

Angie and the cast of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” in 2009

Angie and the cast of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” in 2009

In our house, music was shared together as a family. Sing-a-longs around the organ at Christmastime were a given, my mom often taught me Hawaiian dances in the basement, and my grandma amassed a collection of percussion instruments from music stores and garage sales. I played with tambourines and maracas more than my own toys! My family had fostered a deep love and appreciation for music in me just by being musical themselves.

I feel that family music time is becoming a lost art form. Even with so many technological gadgets and DVDs for children, nothing can replace the sound of a parent’s voice singing a lullaby, or having a silly dance party with the whole family. It’s a bonding experience like no other! In my music classes, the activities we do in class can very easily be done at home as well. Moving and singing are the two of the most fun AND most important things you can do with your child! I would love the chance to introduce you and your child to some awesome music, dances, games and stories that will not only bring joy to you both, but also assist in creating a basic appreciation for music as well as some basic developmental skills.