About Us

112-01 75th Ave. Lower level, Forest Hills, NY 11375

718.487.4309

Who We Are

Hug Music is a music school in Forest Hills, Queens, where every child of all ages and abilities are welcomed just as they are and encouraged to express themselves through music.

From toddlers taking their first musical steps to teens honing their skills, we create a space filled with warmth, patience, and encouragement. Here, music is a path to confidence, joy, and connection.

At Hug Music, we believe music is more than instruction-- it's a path to confidence, joy, and meaningful connection.

Hug Music is a Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (“M/WBE”) certified business

“My son has been a student of Hug Music for several years now. Hug Music has taught him music appreciation, discipline and more than anything else to keep believing in himself and never stop trying to do and be his best”

— Kristen D., mother of a 13-year-old student

    2000+
    Students served
  
    8,500
    Lessons taught
  
    85%
    Retention Rate
  
    11
    Years Serving Queens, NY

Our Ethos

Music is an expression of life.
It carries soul, meaning, and emotion.
It is not just a skill—it is an end in itself.

At Hug Music, we don’t just teach notes and techniques.
We nurture a true love and appreciation for music.
Music is a language of joy.
A vehicle for expression.
A pathway to self-actualization.

Every teacher, therapist, and musician at Hug Music shares this mission—helping each student discover the transformative power of music.

"Music is the divine messenger between heaven and the human."

— Beethoven

Our Five Principles

Work with each student’s innate strengths Hover to flip card

We begin by understanding every student’s natural abilities, interests, and preferred learning style. This allows us to create learning experiences that build on their strengths and set them up for success.

Nurture a love of learning Hover to flip card

Through trust, encouragement, and positive learning experiences, we help students discover that they can learn. This confidence fuels a lasting love of learning that enriches life beyond music.

Open Communication Hover to flip card

We believe clear communication builds trust and helps students thrive. We keep parents informed by sharing observations, celebrating progress, and providing guidance for at-home practice, while ensuring instructors have dedicated time to focus on teaching.

Provide appropriate instruction Hover to flip card

We adapt each lesson’s content, pace, and approach to meet the student’s needs. Using step-by-step and multi-sensory methods, we create an environment where every child can thrive.

Understand emotional needs Hover to flip card

We recognize that students learn best when they feel safe and understood. By meeting emotional needs, we inspire motivation, confidence, and joy in the learning process.

“My 1-year-old daughter loves you guys (Kana & Sasha) so much. This morning at 4am, she was saying your names. She loves the class and has learned SO much.”

— Marissa, mother of Sadie

Our Founders

Woman smiling holding a toy pig and a drum, with colorful decorations in the background.

Kana Kamitsubo-Markovic

Kana, A professional pianist, composer, and board-certified music therapist, and creator of Musicreative™, a method that blends therapy and education for learners of all abilities.

Internationally recognized for clinical improvisation and inclusive teaching, Kana graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music and has over 25 years of experience teaching music and piano.

Her method, Musicreative™, has received international recognition, which led to her being granted permanent U.S. residency (EB1 Green Card) for individuals with extraordinary ability.

Meet Kana

Young man playing an acoustic guitar and singing indoors

Sasha Markovic

Acclaimed NYC-based guitarist, composer, and founder of Yagull, recognized for genre-crossing performances. A passionate educator with more than 15 years of experience fostering creativity through composition.

Meet Sasha

Our Story

2008 – Where our approach began

Our journey started with a single student who had been told they “couldn’t learn.” By focusing on their strengths, building trust, and making music a joyful experience, we discovered a way of teaching that unlocked not only musical skills but also confidence, connection, and self-expression. This became the foundation of our Musicreative™ approach.

2012 – Meeting Sasha

In 2012, Kana met Sasha, a fellow musician who shared her philosophy about teaching and music. Kana trained Sasha in her approach, and together they discovered a shared passion for helping students of all abilities flourish.

2014 – Hug Music is founded

Inspired to share this method with more families, we opened Hug Music in Forest Hills as a place where every child, regardless of ability, can experience the joy and growth that music brings.

Today – The heart of our work

We continue to provide structured, multi-sensory learning that blends music education with social, emotional, cognitive, speech, and fine-motor growth, creating a space where every learner is seen, supported, and celebrated.

“Hug Music is the best music school we’ve found in the area. They focus on personal attention with their small class size, we love their philosophy in exposing children while listening and playing acoustic live music Instruments throughout the class. My son and I really enjoy their nurturing school environment. ”

— H, a mother of a 2-year-old boy

Our Faculty

Teaching at Hug Music means guiding each student’s growth with care. Our team creates inspiring, personalized lessons that nurture talent, confidence, and a true love for music.