Kathy Manese (AKA "Miss Kathy") is an experienced and fun-loving children's party entertainer & musician. As a professional vocalist and guitarist she has over five years experience entertaining at children's parties & she has performed her popular children's music show for over 10,000 children in Central and Northern NJ! Her program is quite popular for first birthday parties as it can be difficult to find appropriate entertainment for children as young as one and for the big mix of ages of the children who usually attend first birthday parties. "Miss Kathy" is is quite comfortable engaging children of varying ages all at once from her experience not only as a children's entertainer, but from her background as a children's music teacher.

"Miss Kathy's" children's music show is also popular for toddler parties thru fifth birthday parties. The kids have a blast singing, dancing & playing children's musical instruments. The "older" children can be quite a lot of fun with all of their creativity and energy & "Miss Kathy" enjoys encouraging them to express themselves through song & dance.

"Miss Kathy is also experienced performing for and engaging children with special needs She has worked with children with special needs such as Autism and Cerebral Palsy. She delights in sharing the joy of music with these children and their families and friends.

In addition to being a children's entertainer Kathy Manese is a professionally trained vocalist who enjoys all styles of music. She has privately studied for over a decade with an excellent voice teacher who not only holds a Bachelors & Masters in Voice from Juliard, but her teacher attended master classes given by great singers such as Luciano Pavarotti & her teacher privately studied with the very best Opera vocal coaches such as Jerome Hines from the Metropolitan Opera. Kathy also had previous training as a pop and jazz vocalist. Kathy plays both guitar & piano. She has loved playing music & singing since she was a little girl.

Kathy has a diverse musical background. She was the lead singer for the Sam Ash Big Band & has enjoyed singing jazz, pop, R&B, folk, musical theater & classical music. She has performed on TV & in Greenwich Village at clubs such as "The Bitter End" & "The China Club" as well as other venues in New Jersey, New York City, and Pennsylvania. She is an experienced cantor & has had the pleasure of singing classical music at wedding ceremonies & receptions.

Kathy also is a former children's music teacher who had specialized in early childhood music classes for infants, toddlers & elementary school aged children. She had over 350 children in her music classes in Hillsborough & Flemington, NJ. Kathy has written articles about her experience as an early childhood music teacher for the Mommy & Me Association. She believes in a playful, hands on approach to music & encourages even young babies to strum the guitar when performing at children's birthday parties.

Kathy has the pleasure of working with her husband, Jerry, during the children's music shows. He not only sets up the professional Bose® sound system, but also helps with passing out & gathering the many children's musical instruments that we bring to the children's birthday parties & special events. In addition he is there to bring out special surprises during the music show (the bubble machine, Carribbean Steel Drum & our huge bag of instruments -- & he is a really great guy & very patient with the children). Since he is there to support Kathy during the show she is able to spend extra time with the children before & after the show & keep her focus on just giving them the best children's music show possible!