Clayton, NC – Julie Stewart has been named a “Maestro in Outreach” by Kindermusik International, the world’s leading publisher of music and movement programs.

Julie Stewart is an early childhood specialist at Kindermusik of Clayton & Voice of Clayton. Stewart teaches Kindermusik in the Riverwood Cultural Arts Center, in Riverwood Athletic Club Subdivision. The Maestro in Outreach award recognizes excellence in teaching Kindermusik to children with special needs and those otherwise unable to access the curriculum due to extenuating circumstances.

“The Kindermusik Maestro has a mission: helping children become better learners and helping parents understand how to help them reach their highest potential,” said Michael Dougherty, CEO at Kindermusik International.

Julie Stewart joins the elite company of the 21 Maestros in Outreach, 23 Maestros in Masterful Teaching, 46 Maestros in the Conductors Circle and 200 Maestros in the Producers Circle identified as the top Educators of the over 5,000 licensed educators in the world who teach Kindermusik’s music and movement curricula. Julie Stewart began providing Kindermusik at Kindermusik of Clayton & Voice of Clayton in 1994. Today Stewart teaches all levels of Kindermusik: Village infant classes, Kindermusik Sign & Sing, Our Time Toddler classes, Imagine That Preschool classes, Kindermusik for the Young Child early elementary classes, Kindermusik Family Time classes, ABC Music & Me created by Kindermusik, Kindermusik Playdates and Kindermusik Adventures summer programs.

In the last year, Stewart has offered scholarship classes to at risk families in her studio and through New Hope Pregnancy Center, Wake County Human Services Step-by-Step Alcohol recovery program, Kinton Court residential recovery program and the Johnston County Partnership of Children.

“Finding a way to bring the joy and learning created through music to every child and family possible is my goal,” said Stewart. “It is a life changing experience for many who participate and it continues to impact them when they leave the program as we provide the skills, and home materials to enjoy music and learn at home.” Stewart believes that “music can change the world one child at a time.”

The Maestro Program recognizes licensed Kindermusik educators who master one of three levels in early childhood development: fast-growing programs, outstanding community service and teaching excellence.