In 1997, Lori was hired to teach general/vocal music and chorus at Inglewood Elementary School in The North Penn School District. Back then, her name was Miss Scherling and her music room was where imagination and creation came to life; and where "the hits" were born. From 1998 to 2003, she worked toward earning her Master's Degree in Orff Schulwerk from West Chester University. During this time period, she cut her nicely manicured nails, bought a guitar, took lessons and discovered a natural ability for writing amazingly catchy melodies and lyrics that where suited to match. With titles such as Cows Chickens & Pickles, You're Buggin' Me, Quit It and What's In your Nose? how could they NOT be hits?
She gained confidence for solo performance by attending every single open mic and music circle The Philadelphia Region had to offer but found herself most drawn to the motley crew of musicians who attended MilkBoy's open mic. In 1997, Lori pitched the idea of a children's show to "the MilkBoys", they said yes and took a huge chance on her. The Milk & Cookies Show ran for 5 years. provided affordable, high quality programming for families and put her name on the map. Her experience with The Milk & Cookies Show and working with Tommy & Jamie taught her everything she needed to learn about music, movement, friendship and community.
In the midst of it all, Lori met her most favorite person in the whole wide world, Sir Andrew Turner. Andrew quickly became her greatest fan and best friend, the handsome dancing monkey on whom she'd depend. He saw her personal and professional hopes and dreams as clearly as she did. In March of 2009, he made her biggest dream come true by proposing and asking for her hand in marriage.
In 2010, Lori & Andrew were wed and together, they created the world of Music Monkey Jungle®. Music Monkey Jungle came to be based on her original lyrics and stories of Fifi Dupree (the purple monkey in our MMJ logo), Fester McGee (the blue monkey in our KR logo) and the most requested song in her elementary classroom, Little Music Monkeys.
Their daughter Tova was born in 2013, their daughter Orly was born in 2014 and along with the expansion of their family came the expansion of their family business. They were lucky enough to find thee most talented, warm, fun and funny musicians, teachers and performers one could ask for and their family business is just an extension of their team.
