Montgomery Children’s Enrichment Studio Earns International and Hudson Valley Honors

Ms. Claire’s Music Cupboard, an early childhood music and enrichment studio serving Hudson Valley families since 2009, is celebrating a remarkable year of recognition after being named a Kindermusik 2026 Top Program Award recipient as the #11 Kindermusik program in the world, while also earning two Best of the Hudson Valley 2026 honors: Best Kids Music Class and Best Children’s Birthday Party Venue.

Owned by Kindermusik Accredited Educator Claire Pahucki, Ms. Claire’s Music Cupboard opened on June 1, 2009, and today serves approximately 325 families each year from Montgomery and surrounding towns in the Hudson Valley.

“What makes these awards especially meaningful is that they represent recognition from both around the world and right here at home,” said Pahucki. “For more than 17 years, families have walked through our doors looking for music classes, activities and opportunities to connect with their children. To see this little community we’ve built in Montgomery recognized on an international level — while also being chosen as the best by our Hudson Valley community — is incredibly special.”

Ms. Claire’s Music Cupboard offers programming for children from approximately 3 months through 7 years old, including Kindermusik classes, Baby Ballet, Little Learners and School Readiness classes. Families can also visit The Cozy Cupboard, an indoor and outdoor play space designed for young children and their caregivers.

Beyond weekly classes, Ms. Claire’s hosts playdates, special events, open play opportunities and children’s birthday parties, creating a gathering place where local families can learn, play and build community.

The Kindermusik 2026 Top Program Award recognizes leading Kindermusik programs for their commitment to providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate music and movement experiences for young children and their families.

“At Kindermusik, we know that consistent, age-appropriate shared music-making supercharges the brain and positively impacts every aspect of development,” said Kelly Green, President of Kindermusik International. “Top Programs lean into this research and are committed to so much more than helping children love music—they’re committed to helping children and families experience the academic, social-emotional, and whole-body benefits that happen when we connect and create together through melodies and rhythms.”

For Pahucki, however, the heart of the recognition remains the families who have made Ms. Claire’s Music Cupboard part of their children's earliest years. “Some families first come to us with a six-month-old baby for a Kindermusik class, and then we have the privilege of watching that child grow through music, movement, play, school-readiness experiences and more,” Pahucki said. “The awards are exciting, but what matters most is creating a place where children are learning, parents feel welcomed and families genuinely enjoy being together.”

Ms. Claire’s Music Cupboard plans to continue expanding opportunities for Hudson Valley families through its classes, Cozy Cupboard play experiences, special playdates, birthday celebrations and community programming.

Families interested in experiencing Ms. Claire’s Music Cupboard can view current programs and enrollment information at www.8factorystreet.com.

About Ms. Claire’s Music Cupboard

Founded by Claire Pahucki in Montgomery, New York, on June 1, 2009, Ms. Claire’s Music
Cupboard is an early childhood music, movement, enrichment and family play studio serving
approximately 325 families each year. Programming for children ages approximately 3 months
through 7 years includes Kindermusik, Little Learners, Baby Ballet, School Readiness classes,
The Cozy Cupboard indoor and outdoor play space, playdates, birthday parties and special
family events.

In 2026, Ms. Claire’s Music Cupboard was named the #11 Kindermusik program worldwide
and received the Kindermusik 2026 Top Program Award, as well as Best of the Hudson
Valley 2026 honors for Best Kids Music Class and Best Children’s Birthday Party Venue.