Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marni Konner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Marni, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Twenty-three years ago, when my daughter was just three months old, I attended a baby music class. As a lifelong music lover and a record company executive specializing in live music tours, I was stunned to find the class was led by a tape recorder – literally an instructor fast-forwarding and rewinding to cue up songs. I knew there had to be a better way.

In a city like New York, bursting with talent and energy, why wasn’t there a live music experience for babies and young children? That moment sparked the idea for Little Maestros. I bought a dozen egg shakers for $6, recruited a band (two of the original three still teach at our flagship location), called up my friends, rented a basement room in a Hungarian church, wrote flyers for a brand-new music class and handed them out on street corners and in playgrounds.

I collaborated with our pianist and guitarist to write original songs, and followed my gut – and my heart. Still do.

For me, the mission is deeply personal. It’s an honor and a joy to witness the milestones that happen in our safe, encouraging space for young families. We get a front-row seat to some of life’s most magical firsts – first smiles, first steps, first bubbles, and first friendships. It’s incredibly meaningful to watch families gather, connect, and grow with us. We also love getting to know multiple generations who come to class together to create core memories and soak up the entertainment and good vibes.

Marni, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I founded Little Maestros in 2002 when my daughter was born. I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built and still wake up before my alarm each day, genuinely excited to go to “work.” After more than two decades of fine-tuning, Little Maestros has become a well-oiled machine with a strong infrastructure and automated systems.

This allows me to focus on what I love most – building relationships with our grown-ups, kids, and team members. When I’m not in a meeting, I attend every class at our flagship location to keep my heart – and fingerprints – on the brand.

My career was in marketing at Atlantic Records, and music has always been my life-long passion. When I became a mom, I couldn’t find a high-quality music class for my baby – so I decided to create one. That’s how Little Maestros was born.

I became obsessed with developing the best possible program: original, live music that’s not only fun and engaging, but also approved by early childhood educators and grounded in real developmental value.

What type of products, services, or creative offerings do you provide?

– There are many exciting extensions of Little Maestros. From our live offerings – including classes, concerts, birthday parties, and special events – to our specialized programs like Pequeños Maestros (our bilingual option), LM Unplugged (a sensory-friendly version for children with special needs), and Maestros University (designed exclusively for kids ages 3 and 4).

– We’re also deeply committed to giving back – through fundraising and performances at hospitals, for community workers, and underserved populations. Our videos are another exciting frontier – we’ve been hard at work creating content we know will be a blockbuster on YouTube, so stay tuned! And of course, we love our merchandise, which is available on our website, on Amazon, and through baby registries.

What problems do you solve for your clients or audience?

– Little Maestros is the place where friends are made and where we introduce age-appropriate activities and concepts that families can continue at home to enrich their child.

What sets Little Maestros apart from others in your space?

– Early-childhood educator-approved quality original music, characters, and books performed by Broadway entertainers. Also the friendliest most efficient admin team assisting and accommodating families with their every need.

What do you want potential clients, followers, or fans to know about you, your brand, or your work?

– Little Maestros has an accomplished and devoted team of Broadway performers who teach our award-winning curriculum. The curriculum and techniques are our crown jewel and from captains-of-industry in early-childhood education, music therapy, speech pathology, social work, pediatrics, physical and occupational therapy and business.
– These experts helped design, implement, rubber stamp, and continue to weigh in on content creation and our new endeavors as we continue to grow.
– We love and appreciate every family who walks through our door and we are always here to hear you and enhance your day through music, learning, and meaning.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the pandemic we started offering virtual programming and tailored the class accordingly. We saw how to keep it engaging, interactive, educational and even communal! We also started doing live classes outdoors when we were able to start gathering outside. Both of these options proved successful and we continue them to this day!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Our new “Word-Of-Mom” event series brings together moms of Little Maestros kids to foster connection, community, and shared experiences – building a supportive network both in person and online through our active social channels.

As for advice, post quality over quantity and stay consistent with branding and cadence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.littlemaestros.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemaestrosofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlemaestros/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-maestros/

Image Credits

℅: Casey Klein, Little Maestros