Rising Stars: Meet Eleese Meschery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eleese Meschery.

Hi Eleese, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Nashville but grew up mostly in Florida and North Carolina. I moved to California in my 20s after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill and pursued acting. I’ve worked with young kids through education programs in the public school system and have a BA in psychology. I have always loved singing and I started an Americana band with my musician husband, Brand New Heartache (brandnewheartache.com), eight years ago. My husband bought me my first guitar for Mother’s Day years ago. Working with Little Folkies combines my love for music and working with kids. I met Irena Eide, the founder of Little Folkies, through mutual friends and began teaching for Little Folkies in the fall of 2021. I had just returned from spending a summer in East Nashville with my husband and 3 boys. We fell in love with the music community here and started making plans to move here for good.

This past summer we landed in Madison, and we have been making our home on the east side. I decided to continue my work with Little Folkies as a Location Manager for Nashville. I think we have something unique to offer in that our music is folk music based. We have over 70 original and traditional folk songs that kids and parents love!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
In July 2021 we packed up our Honda Odyssey (and a U-Haul truck) with our three boys, two dogs, and lizard and headed toward Nashville. It was not easy leaving Oakland, California. My husband grew up in CA and his family is there. Our boys (11,9 and 5) were sad to leave their friends behind. We were too! But we also have friends here in East Nashville as well as my family in Florida and North Carolina. We felt that a move to Nashville would be good for our music and also our kids.

We could work on music, be closer to my family and have a little more space for the boys to run around. I had planned to start as a Location Manager for Little Folkies much sooner when I moved here, but it took some time to get settled here with schools and a new home. But I have started meeting more moms from my boy’s school and other women who are small business owners in the community. I’m so excited to get Little Folkies Nashville up and running!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer, actor, and mom of 3 boys. I am one half of the Americana Duo Brand New Heartache, a band I started with my husband. I have worked in theater, film, and tv. I also received a BA in psychology from the University of Chapel Hill. I worked in a program for shy kids through Edgewood Center for Families and Children and as a substitute teacher in public school preschool and elementary-aged programs. I have studied voice and guitar with Bay Area musicians as well as musicians here in Nashville. I love watching little kids learn the music and hand movements as well as the parents. It becomes a special place in the community bringing parents together once a week to share in the joy of music.

Music is such an important part of a child’s early development, and the more positive musical experiences we share with them early on, the stronger their foundation is for musical competence later in life. There is so much to learn from a little song, and the connection made between child and parent through music and singing is one that will only strengthen and build, creative a loving foundation as they navigate through life. Little Folkies was created by Irena Eide and feature a collection of 69+ original and traditional folk songs enjoyable for kids and parents alike. Little Folkies is an award-winning folk music class for children of all ages and their parents and caregivers.

What are your plans for the future?
Little Folkies Nashville is gearing up for our Spring Session starting in March! I am partnering with at least one locally female-owned business for a weekly class.

I’m also working with a few different families on hosting in their backyards in East Nashville, Inglewood, and Madison. Nashville Blanket Project donated blankets that we will be using for our classes too! I’m hoping to have at least 3 classes started with different days and times to fit the needs of parents and caregivers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.littlefolkies.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlefolkies/
• Other: https://littlefolkiesfamilyband.bandcamp.com/ 

Image Credits
Asuka Yano