Meet Amy Johnson | Teacher and Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Union Colony Children’s Music Academy (UCCMA) was founded in 1989 as the first early childhood music and movement program in Northern Colorado. Currently, UCCMA offers music and movement classes to children from birth to young adult and to adults with developmental disabilities.

UCCMA’s mission is to provide an opportunity for all children and families to experience the benefits and joys of music and movement. Music stimulates all areas of development- intellectual, social, emotional, motor, and language. It enhances motor skills and math and reading performance, as well as executive function. By building listening skills, attention span, concentration, dexterity, coordination, and memory, music improves children’s overall learning, literacy skills, and self-esteem. Research continues to demonstrate the benefits of early childhood music education. As a non-profit, 501 c3 organization, UCCMA strives to make this opportunity available to the entire community.

Throughout the years, UCCMA has identified needs in our community and has partnered with other local organizations to create classes and programs to meet these needs. We have partnered with the school district and community foundation to offer music in 22 of the district’s preschool classrooms. Each week we work with approximately 400 children through these classes.

We offer Adaptive and Inclusive Music and Movement classes for families with children with special needs, all funded by grants and fundraising efforts. Our AIMM classes provide a space for families who wish for an opportunity to network and meet with other families with children with special needs. The classes have become a place of community and support for so many families.

Our Adaptive and Inclusive Tween, Teen and Young Adult class focuses on several key areas; including enhancing communication skills, increasing social skills and providing opportunities for new experiences.  

Our partnership with Envision Adult Day Program allows us to bring the joys of professional community music making and movement to adults with developmental disabilities.


There are very few programs in our area that are meeting the needs of children or adults with special needs. It is very important to our mission that we are able to provide these classes and opportunities to so many in our community.

All of our outreach classes are in addition to our ongoing classes that are designed for children and families in age specific and developmentally appropriate class groupings from birth to age fourteen, including piano, violin, ukulele, and guitar class instruction.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been teaching with the academy since 2001 and director since 2003. I graduated from University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Dance. Following graduation, I 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, I have taught dance for 43 years and have performed in various productions at UNC, as well as The Little Theatre of the Rockies. I was previously 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.

I have always had a passion for working with individuals with special needs and I am extremely proud of the Adaptive and Inclusive Music and Movement program that I began at Union Colony Children’s Music Academy. The families and individuals in our AIMM classes participate in class at no cost. This is made possible by grant writing and fundraising. Securing the funds year after year has not been easy, but I am incredibly proud to say that we have been able to do so for over 24 years. Since our program began in 1989, we have never turned a child or family away.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Martha Hallquist, the founder of Union Colony Children’s Music Academy deserves recognition for all that she did to bring our program to life. I also owe her a great deal of gratitude for mentoring me when I began teaching with UCCMA and for her friendship and guidance throughout the years.

I would also like to recognize the other teachers at Union Colony Children’s Music Academy. I have the pleasure of working with the most talented and dedicated musicians/teachers!! Their work at UCCMA is a passion and calling, not just a job.

Website: https://www.unioncolonychildrensmusic.org

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