Our Teachers

Our mission is to provide an opportunity for all children, age birth to 12+ years, and their families, to experience the benefits and joys of music and movement education.

Union Colony Children's Music Academy was founded in 1989, and now offers music classes for children from birth to 12+ years in the Greeley and Northern Colorado area. As a non-profit organization, UCCMA is dedicated to providing music and movement education for all children.

As a nonprofit, Union Colony Children's Music Academy does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Amy Johnson, Director

Amy is the Director of UCCMA and has been teaching with the academy since 2001. She graduated from UNC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Dance. Following graduation, she worked as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with children from birth to age five and adults with developmental disabilities. With extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern dance, and creative movement, she has taught dance for 33 years and has performed in various productions at UNC, as well as The Little Theatre of the Rockies. She is currently a faculty member of Vertical Movement, contemporary based workshops that are held across the country and Dance Hope Project, a dance company devoted to ministry and dance throughout the country. She is a member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and Kiwanis Club of Greeley. She is married to Doug Johnson and they have two children, Colter and Elise.

Kathy Azari, Curriculum Coordinator

Kathy has been an early childhood music teacher at UCCMA since 2000 and is the Curriculum Coordinator for the academy. Kathy holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from UNC and a Master of Education degree from the University of Phoenix specializing in the diverse learner. She has also received Musikgarten’s Achievement Award for completion of all levels of Musikgarten teacher training. She taught Middle School Band in Greeley Evans School District 6 for 31 years and is now the District Level Coordinator for Music, Art, PE, and World Languages. Additionally, Kathy is an oboist who performs in the Greeley Chamber Orchestra. In 2007 she was recognized as an Outstanding Woman of Weld County and in 2013, she was named Teacher of the Year for Greeley Evans School District 6. They have two children, Anthony and Madeline, who are graduates of UCCMA.

Shona Royle-Grimes

Shona is a University of Northern Colorado graduate with degrees in piano performance and instrumental education. Her teaching experiences include K-12 music in Merino, Colorado, and piano at AIMS Community College. Currently, she has a private piano studio and serves as an accompanist and director for the Rainbow Choir for the First Congregational Church. Shona has taught at UCCMA since 2000; she is also the business manager for UCCMA. Her husband, Paul and her have two sons, Quinton and Liam.

Jennifer Swanson, Registrar/Communications

Jennifer received a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from UNC. She has taught early childhood music in private and school settings since 2004, and been with UCCMA since 2005. She also teaches lessons in horn performance to students of all ages. In addition to teaching young children, Jennifer is active in the area as a musician, and currently performs as 3rd Horn with the Wyoming and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestras and as a freelance musician in the Northern Colorado area.

Lee Anne Butler

Lee Anne Butler brings 33 years of public school music teaching with her to UCCMA. She had been with UCCMA for 14 years and during that time she has taught guitar 1 & 2 and Ukulele 1 & 2, as well as pre-school music for 3 years and Keyboard 1 for 3 years.

Her BA is in music education and was from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. Her MA was in Gifted Education from the University of Northern Colorado. In 2012, after retiring from public education, she opened her private music studio, teaching piano, voice and guitar. She kept the music studio until 2021, when she moved to Loveland, Colorado.

She has two grown children and five grandchildren. She currently lives in Loveland with her daughter and 2 grandchildren.

Her goal in music education is to spread the joy of music learning to children. Learning music and learning an instrument benefits the cognitive development of a child, providing them with life long skills for reading, math, problem solving and thinking skills.

Sarah Lopez

Sarah Lopez is a music educator and performer currently pursuing her Master of Music in Kodály Music Education at Colorado State University. She holds a Bachelor of Music Business from University of Northern Colorado with concentrations in classical voice and violin. Sarah teaches voice, violin, beginner piano, and early childhood music. She has worked with students of all ages and experience levels in both private and classroom settings.

Sarah’s teaching philosophy emphasizes creativity, confidence, and joyful music-making while building strong foundational skills. She has taught at Union Colony Children’s Music Academy in Greeley, Colorado, Loveland Academy of Music in Loveland,Colorado and Paz Music Academy in Kearny, New Jersey. Sarah also served as a production assistant at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center gaining invaluable backstage knowledge. In addition to teaching, Sarah is an active vocalist and violinist who regularly performs with The Greeley Chamber Orchestra and The Greeley Chamber Choir. Outside of the classroom, Sarah enjoys going on walks with her fiancée and dog, spending time with family, and going to concerts.

She is passionate about helping students grow not only as musicians, but also as confident and expressive individuals.

Laura Kelly

Laura received her BA in music education from Bethany College in Lindsborg KS and Master of Arts in Teaching K-6 curriculum in from the University of Northern Colorado. She recently retired from 21 years of teaching elementary school music in Hudson and Keenesburg, Colorado.

Outside of teaching, she is a flute player and currently plays with the Sherwood Park Flute Ensemble in Greeley, Colorado. Hiking, traveling, spending time with family, and learning new things are some of her pursuits and interests outside of music.