Katia: I’m a first generation American, born in Houston to parents of Spanish-Cuban descent. Other than five years away for study abroad programs and graduate school, I have lived in Houston my entire life.
Children and ages: Two girls, Alessia, 4 and Juliette, 2
One thing people would be surprised to know about you… I lived in Paris for three years where I got my Master’s Degree in Political Science – a degree that I do not use today, but a time in my life that is among my most cherished.
Favorite local things to do with your kids? We love attending weekly music class at Prelude Music and going to the Houston Zoo to visit our animal friends. Trips to our local library and park are also a favorite, as is getting a delicious frozen dessert at Menchie’s or Paciugo.
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood? Being a music teacher, I find that singing a request to my girls is a great “shortcut” to encouraging cooperation at the most harried moments, rather than nagging incessantly. Also, when either of my daughters (or I) get impatient or irritable, taking a moment to stop and breathe deeply can be a surprisingly effective tool. Yes, two year-olds can learn to breathe deeply (and, it’s adorable)!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share! I teach Canta y Baila Conmigo™ classes at Prelude Music for children (ages 0-5) and their families. Designed for native and non-native speakers alike, this program combines Spanish language immersion with music and movement in a manner that is accessible and fun for all. Every song comes from a Spanish-speaking country, so there is a rich cultural heritage interwoven in the program. I started taking my oldest daughter to Prelude Music when she was a baby, and we became hooked from the start. Teaching there now is both a joy and a privilege. For more information or to schedule a free demo class, please visit www.preludechildren.com.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now? I grew up in nearby Meyerland and attended St. John’s School and Rice University, so this area of Houston has been my home for most of my life. I am so happy to live close to all these memory-filled places and to see them continue evolving through the years.