The people who work at Groove Family Music in Larchmont NY

Lesley Joyce Kranz
Founder/Director/Educator

Lesley is a life-long musician raised in a musical family.
She has over 25 years of experience as a musician, music educator, curriculum designer, community builder and as an advocate for arts education.

Growing up in Stamford CT, Lesley studied violin from the age of 9 and voice from 14 years old.  She holds a BMA in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Performing Arts Management from Brooklyn College.  She is proud to have performed with New York Choral Society and Chamber Singers, the Juilliard Choral Union, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Chorus.

Before founding Groove in 2005, Lesley served as Director of Development for Jazz at Lincoln Center (alongside Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis), Director of Development at Playwrights Horizons, Director of Development for BRIC (Brooklyn Information and Culture) as well as Development and Special Events Consultant to Celebrate Brooklyn.

Since 2018, Lesley has served as sacred song leader for Sanctuary NY, alongside Rabbi Bethie Miller and as the music specialist at Co-Op Summer Enrichment, a program of the Larchmont Mamaroneck STEM Alliance.  Lesley also works as a music specialist at The Kids Base/Little School in Scarsdale and The Nurtury Montessori School in Larchmont.  In support of her musical work with children, Lesley is dedicated to continuing professional development and has completed the following teacher trainings: Carnegie Hall's Music Educator Summer Workshop (2025), Yoga in the Pre-School Classroom with Karma Kids NYC (2024),  Kids Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Haven (2020), Salsa Babies (2008) and Music Together + Music Together Babies (1997).

Lesley is the proud mom of two young adults who both make music (check out Eastman Guitars). Fun Fact: Lesley sang with Peter, Paul and Mary and the New York Choral Society at Carnegie Hall, on Broadway and on the Phil Donahue Show.