Frances Mae Balodis

Founder and International Director
Music for Young Children

2008 Businesswoman of the Year Recipient
Entrepreneur Category
 

Frances Mae Balodis
Founder and International Director
Music for Young Children

613-592-7565
frances@myc.com

 
Frances Balodis believes music is a gift that lasts a lifetime, and her passion and dedication to bringing this gift to children stand unsurpassed. In 1980, building on her background as an educator and piano teacher, Frances set out to create an engaging music program for kids aged three to 11. Her goal: develop the world’s first keyboard-focused curriculum that, through clever merging of play and study, welcomed children to the joy of music while giving them a seamless path to traditional conservatory programs. The result was Music for Young Children®, or MYC®, an internationally renowned music business with more than 24,000 students worldwide.

As Founder and International Director of MYC, Frances has managed its growth from a one-person home enterprise to a profitable international business with more than 900 licensed music educators. All the while, she has continued teaching at each MYC program level. Frances is active in professional associations, leads a popular children’s choir, and composes songs for multiple conservatory organizations. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Acadia University. Her contributions to music have been recognized in many ways, including the award of Honorary Licentiates from Conservatory Canada and the Canadian National Conservatory of Music.