Artist-Faculty
Lori Lynn Ahrends, Adjunct
Tuneful Tots
Lori Lynn Ahrends is an award-winning children’s singer-songwriter, and early childhood specialist. She is the creator of Overall Buddies – a collection of original songs, videos, & books for young children – and Sunday School Buddies, where she shares her faith-based children’s music.
Lori Lynn holds a Master’s degree in Education from Arizona State University and has her National Board Certification in Early Childhood. Over a 25+ year career, she has served as a preschool teacher, university instructor, state consultant, national trainer, and international keynote speaker. In recognition of her dedication to young children, she was honored with the IAEYC Friend of the Young Child Award.
As a performer, Lori Lynn has spent over 15 years bringing interactive music & movement programs to classrooms, libraries, and community spaces. She especially enjoys helping families and educators discover how music can be a powerful tool for supporting social-emotional growth and early literacy
skills. With a minor degree in voice, Lori Lynn has sung in select choirs, which traveled the states and abroad. Her stage experience includes lead roles such as Eliza in My Fair Lady, Lilly in The Secret Garden, and the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Omaha Community Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol.
She has also served in theatre leadership roles as a director, board member, and producer.
Lori Lynn’s teaching philosophy is rooted in deep respect for the child and a commitment to creating joyful, meaningful learning experiences. Her goal is to cultivate a warm, accepting environment where young children build self-confidence and a love of music they will carry in their hearts for a lifetime.
Learn more about Lori Lynn and her work on her website.