As with Dudik , the desire to start a family led Reynolds back to the area . She became pregnant with twins in 2009 . With her busy career , she knew she would need help caring for them , so she and her husband decided to return to Pittsburgh . They settled in North Huntingdon . “ Growing up in this area , I knew it was a family-friendly city . There ’ s also a lot of theater here , and it ’ s within driving distance of New York ,” says Reynolds . “ It ’ s a wonderful place to raise a family .”
About a year later , Dudik and Reynolds discovered that they had been living within a stone ’ s throw of each other . Not surprisingly , they became fast friends .
“ It was so great to have a fellow performer here to talk to ,” says Dudik , who now has an 11-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter .
She began attending the Music Together music classes with her children , and instantly fell in love with the program , which is based on research that shows the positive long-term effects of exposing children to music from birth .
“ I could tell that it was a well-researched , quality program ,” says Dudik . “ I thought , ‘ I think I want to teach this .’”
She approached the program director , Lauren Whittaker , and asked if teachers were needed . Shortly after , Reynolds , who had been attending the classes with her twins , also decided to become a Music Together instructor . They became registered instructors in 2012 . [ Whittaker has since relocated to
Boston to be closer to family , and Reynolds ’ husband , Paul , is now helping to manage operations .]
Dudik and Reynolds ’ shared love of music also led the friends to create a separate new business , Musical Melody Makers , a birthday and holiday party business in which they lead children through a variety of dancing , singing and instrumental activities .
Despite the dual demands of parenthood and entrepreneurship , both still find time to stay active in their professional careers : Dudik recently worked as a stand-in for actress Jennifer Connelly on the set of the movie “ American Pastoral ” and has done several commercials . Reynolds , a recipient of Distinguished Alumni Awards from the PA Governor ’ s School of the Arts and Point Park University , recently directed “ The Drowsy Chaperone ” at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and directs the annual Bradley Awards at the Kennedy Center in Washington , D . C . The two also serve as judges for Showstopper dance competitions .
Even with their celebrated careers , Dudik and Reynolds consider the work they do with Music Together families to be invaluable .
“ It ’ s just so great to have a job where you can truly make a difference ,” says Reynolds .
Music Together classes are held at the I Am Music Academy at 222 Pennsylvania Avenue in Irwin . Classes also are available in Murrysville . For more information , visit thewhittakermusicstudio . com . n
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