Creative Music Room is the newest resource to boost your music classroom curriculum with original songs, lesson plans, games, music tales, and more. Most of these resources and ideas are homegrown from veteran educator Angela Kelly, who has been teaching young musicians from age 2 through 8th grade for the last 20 years.
Read on for more about Angela and the other members of our Creative Music Room team!
Angela Kelly, Founder and Creative Director
Angela Kelly, flutist and educator, had been teaching private flute lessons for 13 years before she had an opportunity to become the music specialist at Charlottesville Day School in Charlottesville, Virginia. After years of teaching private one on one flute lessons, the Indiana University School of Music graduate was intrigued at the chance to share her knowledge and passion for music with such a wide range of students.
The opportunity also spoke to her as the mother of two children who were each in their own ways exploring their own musical paths. And perhaps even more importantly, as the daughter of a beloved musician and music educator who had passed away when she was only nine years old. With Creative Music Room, Angela Kelly honors the legacy of her father, Louis Fratturo, sharing some of his songs and activities with new generations while creating a legacy of her own, built over thousands of students, hundreds of performances, and dynamic original content designed to build a lifelong love of music.
“I’ve been so very lucky to spend my life in and around music,” Angela said, “and I’ve always thought about how wonderful it would be to share what I’ve learned and created with music teachers everywhere. I hope that Creative Music Room allows teachers and students to find meaning, passion, and fun on their musical journeys – wherever they may lead!”
For more about Angela, visit her website at angelakellyflute.com.
John Kelly, Co-Founder and Lead Creative Contributor
John Kelly wears many hats at Creative Music Room. He works with the leadership team on strategy and plays a key role in creative efforts ranging from copywriting to marketing/communications to content generation. A noted singer songwriter and creative writer, John is responsible for writing many of the original songs on the site as well as the “musical tales” that incorporate the teaching of music concepts with life lessons including friendship, kindness, respect, and cooperation.
John is a publicity, marketing, and writing professional with decades of experience across a variety of industries including entertainment, hospitality, and more. He has worked for two decades as publicist for the Virginia Film Festival, one of America’s premiere regional film festivals, the Virginia Theatre Festival, and provides regular writing support across a wide range of University of Virginia departments.
John has also worked in marketing/publicity roles for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Big Apple Circus, and Long Wharf Theatre, and has worked in the film/television industry as Unit Publicist for National Geographic TV productions including Killing Kennedy and The Long Road Home, as well as for the PBS production, Mercy Street. His hospitality experience includes work with Pinehurst Resort, The Homestead, Hershey Resorts, the Boar’s Head Inn, and Clifton Inn, among others.
Adria Cafferillo, Founding Member and Content Contributor
Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, Adria is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan where she received her Bachelors in Music Education and Flute Performance. During her time at Michigan, she had the opportunity to participate in a variety of ensembles including band, orchestra, and chamber music.
Additionally, Adria has been actively involved in Michigan’s robust education program where she has worked with students of all ages (K-12) both inside and outside the classroom. She has participated in fieldwork, most notably her student teaching at University Prep Science and Math Elementary School (UPSM ES) in Detroit, The NAfME Board, and community outreach programs such as Crescendo Detroit, MSTARS, and Michigan Youth Ensembles. Adria is currently a 3rd grade classroom teacher at UPSM elementary school
Annette Fiore, Creative Contributor
As Creative Contributor, Annette writes original songs, designs CMR original characters, and more. She is an MTM Certified Instructor with more than 25 years of teaching experience across musical genres ranging from classical to pop and beyond. Annette received her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and went on to train extensively with some of the state’s leading composers and instructors, including Fred Pasqua, Jack Terrell, Joe Frank, and Joel Paradis. She is a certified trainer in the Bigler-Lloyd Watts pedagogy, which is known for its focus on students’ self-esteem as a primary driver for success.
Annette’s own lifelong love affair with music was inspired by her family. She is also the daughter of acclaimed jazz composer, performer and legendary educator Lou Fratturo. “There are so many connections between what kids hear on the radio and a Bach minuet,” Annette says. “It is all about bringing these connections out as a way to ensure that fun is always at the heart of their musical journeys.”
Riley Whittaker, Vocals Contributor
Riley Whittaker records many of the vocals you hear on our site. She is originally from Sedona, Arizona, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Riley has been singing for as long as she can remember and entered her first singing competition at age 8 performing for the first time in a packed auditorium!
Riley started writing songs at age 12 and soon after began performing at many local Sedona art fairs, festivals, and events. She formed her first band in 2022 and has played all over Nashville and in many nearby states. She released her debut EP in March of 2024.
Riley has always had a passion for music, and is very excited to be working with Creative Music Room!
