Hello and welcome to The Nightingale Fam. We are a group of musicians, performing artists and educators with a penchant for sparking creativity and community. Our music, movement & storytelling programs place an emphasis on hands on time with instruments, improvisation and exposure to diverse repertoire.

My name is Mary Spencer Knapp and I am the founder of The Nightingale Fam. I am a composer, Broadway alum and mom with twelve years experience in early childhood music education. I began The Nightingale Fam in 2019 as a series of theatrical performances inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's tale of a musically gifted bird. In summer 2020, responding to a request from other local moms to create an outdoor class, I set up my new post in Prospect Park.

Since then, The Nightingale Fam has blossomed into citywide public library programs, concerts, theater, workshops, lessons and original music and video content. Our family music programs are designed for you, the caregiver, as much as they are for your children. We want you to feel you are in a safe space where music is neither polished nor dull, but instead spontaneous, multifaceted and fun. Together we'll build a unique vocabulary and collection of international songs to continue singing at home.
 
The Nightingale Fam will keep finding ways to bring unique music experiences to you. Please check our "Events" header and Music & Video page for updates. We are available for birthday parties as well.