Your music teacher in Virginia, helping students 7 years to adult grow in skill, confidence, and creativity.
Where Learning Music is a Safe Haven.
Building confidence, creativity, and musical skill in a creative, inspiring environment where students feel seen, challenged, and encouraged. Invest in yours or your child’s future to shape confidence and creativity with music.
New Song Music Haven.
“Tell me, I forget,
show me, I remember,
involve me, I understand. ”
- Carl Orff
“Tell me, I forget, show me,
I remember, involve me, I understand. ”
Located in Orange, Virginia
New Song Music Haven fosters singers and student instrumentalists through private and group lessons where everyone can explore musical art at their own pace.
We serve students throughout Central and Northern Virginia, including homeschool, public, and private school families. As students learn to listen, focus, and express themselves through music, they also grow in self-awareness, social and emotional skills, and the ability to work well with others.
Music lessons develop critical thinking, musicianship, and essential life skills so that young and old alike prosper from this form of participatory self-expression.
In a world full of screens and distractions, lessons give students a healthy, creative outlet that can stay with them for life.
I instruct private and group voice lessons for students elementary-aged through adults, and Orff Schulwerk instrumentation classes for elementary through lower secondary students. Each student receives high but attainable musical goals so they can finish the semester knowing they truly learned something and want to come back.
Ready to find the right fit for you or your child?
We were all created to make music.
I have been teaching music for over 30 years to students ages Pre-K through 85. My previous work in higher education colors my approach with young students because the sky is always their limit. With advanced tools in my bag, they play, improvise, and perform with confidence, while also learning poise, self-control, and how to receive both encouragement and constructive feedback.
What sets New Song Music Haven apart:
I hold a current Virginia teaching license, Orff Schulwerk certification, and a Masters and Doctorate in Vocal Performance. I also keep my craft current by attending regional workshops and conferences.
I expound upon public and private school music classes and can fulfill music education components for homeschool families, offering a strong arts option that fits their goals.
I have performed Classical, Christian Contemporary, Music Theatre, and Pop music for live audiences in large and small venues, which allows me to support a wide variety of musical interests.
I hold memberships and gain recurring education in my specialties, including a NATS membership and American Choral Directors Association membership.
Music lessons take place on our 100+ acre farm, where nature and quiet solitude set the tone for energetic, focused, and faith-based instruction.
Parents have plenty of room for parking, walking, or sitting indoors during their students' lessons. Our lower level hosts the instrument room and a sitting room with a kitchenette and bathroom, while our upper level features the voice room with a walnut-encased Yamaha upright piano and plenty of space to move around while singing. Parents are welcome to stay during lessons, which gives everyone added peace of mind.
Let’s grow your child’s music skills.
I enjoy instructing students how to sing their favorite song in their own, unique voice, as well as those seeking a more challenging program for high school choral competitions or college auditions. I value investing time in young students through play while building their rhythmic and note-reading skills through Orff Schulwerk.
Fifteen years of university teaching in the private studio and music-related subjects, plus eleven years of public school teaching, which prepared me to be a solid private teacher of both music education and performance.
Post-menopausal voice lessons
Music is for every stage of life, including the rich and expressive voices of post-menopausal singers.
Whether you’re exploring new vocal colors, refining your breath support and voice placement, or rediscovering your love of singing, New Song Music Haven offers a nurturing space. Your lessons are rooted in dedicated research of singing through change, personal encouragement and solid exercises to strengthen your beautiful voice. Here, your voice is welcomed, celebrated, and strengthened.
Meet The Teacher
Kate Carr Allen, M.M., D.M.A., M.B.T.S
I have been singing to congregations and crowds since the age of 13. My experience includes professional engagements on large and small stages across the U.S., Ukraine and France, singing classical, Christian contemporary, musical theater or opera, as well as leading church worship.
I earned my bachelors degree from Radford University, my Masters of Music at Austin Peay State University, and my Doctorate of Music Arts in vocal performance from the University of Oklahoma. These graduate level experiences provided training experiences nationally and abroad with renowned choral directors and Metropolitan Opera singers.
Teaching younger musicians led me to obtain certification in Orff Schulwerk at George Mason University. In addition to leading Orff ensembles in Fairfax and Fauquier counties, my elementary and high school voice students have placed in district, regional and state level competitions nationwide. These students have grown up to be music teachers, homeschool moms, worship leaders, recording artists, doctors, pharmacists, marketing execs, bloggers, tv producers, and White House staffers. They learn poise, self-control, proper diction, public presentation skills, and how to process constructive criticism and encouragement from their peers.
When not singing, teaching or writing, you can find me with my husband, Dabney, on our commercial farm where I love gardening, cooking, and hanging out with our four cats, Pepperoni, Cleopatra, Leo, and SamSam. I recently added pickleball to my new-skill-to-learn list but still cannot put a spin on my serve!
Click to listen
6th Grade Orff Orchestra, Fairfax County, 2016
Working with Kate was one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience.
Kate Carr was my singing teacher while I was a student at the University of Virginia. She was deeply invested in my growth, always taking time to understand my goals and challenge me in ways that felt both supportive and inspiring."
Taylor D.
UVA graduate
Dr. Allen is a really great music teacher. She is so nice and understanding.
Even when the boys in music class make funny jokes, she calls them out but she laughs too – that's pretty cool! She understands what it's like to be a kid. She's the best music teacher I've ever had.”
Reyhan S.
FCPS student
Thank you so much for your support, guidance, and expertise.
I’ve overcome my fear and I couldn’t have done it without you! God bless you always.”
Katie H.
UVA Graduate
Kate has been such a blessing to me and our whole family in so many ways.
I’m praising God that we found her, because I think it’s really important to know that I’m learning to use my voice not because I am so great, but to praise my Maker. It is so refreshing to study under someone who sees it the same way.”
Kate D.
Mason Community Arts Academy
I am so happy Kate was able to take me on as a student.
Her class challenged me and inspired more personal growth than any other class I took during undergrad. She always demanded the best from me, showing me things about myself and my abilities that I never would have believed before.”
Madison D.
UVA Graduate
Thank you not only for pouring yourself, your talents, your love into our daughter, but also for enduring the ups & downs of it. We are grateful for it.”
The Jackson Family
Dr. Allen is a great music teacher and I'm so thankful to have her teach me. She understands us and has fun with us."
Harry M.
FCPS Student
Kate is probably the best music teacher I ever had. I couldn’t have learned to be a better singer without her.”
Madison L.
FCPS Student
“Where words fail, music speaks”
- Hans Christian Anderson
It’s all in the approach…
I cherish working with students who love music but hesitate to reveal their creative side for fear of failure or rejection.
This is why I chose the word "haven" in the name of my studio. In a world that often rushes children along, New Song Music Haven is a faith-based environment that fully encourages exploration of the voice, rhythmic skills, creativity, and the musical energy already within you.
All lessons are tailored to fit your needs and goals. I spend time thinking about the best song or ensemble piece, and the most appropriate singing range, so that your skills can grow step by step. Children are allowed to play joyfully and experiment with sound and harmony before they are asked to read. We learn by hearing, speaking, and singing first, then reading and composing.
If you are looking for a music teacher in Virginia who sets high yet attainable goals, gives room and grace to make mistakes, and cares deeply about both musical and personal growth, I would be honored to work with you.
