Risa Waldman - Director
 Risa has an extensive professional career in Musical Theatre having performed on stages  across Canada, the U.S. and as far away as Japan.  Born in Toronto, her background  includes studies of Piano,Cello, Music Theory & History through The Royal Conservatory of  Music, Developmental Psychology and Children’s Literature at The University of Toronto.  She is a graduate of the Banff Centre for Fine Arts.  Risa has taught various disciplines of  dance for many years and is actively involved in Children’s Television and Theatre as a choreographer and director.  Risa became a registered Music Together® teacher in New York City and the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ awarded Risa the Music Together Certification Level I status for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy and parent education.

Jodi Eligberg joins our team directly from Princeton NJ where she began as a Music Together mom of three and went on to become a MT teacher at the Centre for Music & Young Children lab school where the program originated. Jodi was fortunate to apprentice under Lili Levinowitz, Ph.D who is the co-writer of the Music Together curriculum.   Jodi holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and JD from NYU School of Law.  Since childhood she has sung in choruses including the NJ All State Chorus and is extremely passionate about sharing her love of music with children.

Josie Vint was, according to her mother, born singing. She was born in Toronto, and raised in Ajax, ON. Her music and movement background includes studies in piano (Royal Conservatory), clarinet, dance (ballet, tap, jazz), and choral singing. Josie graduated with high honours from the Music/Theatre program at Sheridan College in Oakville where she received extensive training in voice/dance/acting/ stage performance. Before becoming a mother of two, she performed in musicals, and plays including children’s theatre, and as a solo singer in small nightclubs. Josie became a registered Music Together teacher in London, ON. She is overjoyed to be a part of the Making Music Together Centre and to be associated with such fine teachers who are devoting their skills to helping families discover the joy of active music making!

Cyndi Carleton is a Toronto-based music theatre performer and has performed in theatres across Canada.  A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier in Theatre and English, she also studied acting at the University of Windsor.  Her music studies have included Voice, Music Theory, and Flute.  Cyndi has written and directed for youth and teen music theatre programs, and she has taught for the after school drama program Arts Express.  She has also enjoyed volunteering her time to perform at the Hospital for Sick Children.  Cyndi became a registered Music Together teacher in Fredonia, NY.

Sheri Cormier (not currently teaching) is a Toronto based musical theatre performer and teacher.  Originally from Nova Scotia, Sheri studied piano at Acadia University and graduated from Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice (performance).  Her love for musical theatre led her to Ontario where she graduated from Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Performance program.  As a performer, she has worked professionally in theatres across the Maritimes, Ontario and onboard cruise ships in the Mediterranean and South Pacific.  Most recently, Sheri ventured back to the east coast to complete her Bachelor of Music Education degree at Memorial University in Newfoundland.  As an arts educator, she is dedicated to developing a love of music and theatre in her students.  Sheri became a registered Music Together teacher here in Toronto.  She is currently teaching private singing and piano lessons, a music theatre after-school program, and can be seen on a few television commercials. 
 
Maryem Tollar is a Juno-nominated world music singer who has performed across Canada and internationally with her own ensemble, as well as with various projects such as Christos Hatzis’ multi-media piece, Constantinople; rumba-flamenco guitarist, Jesse Cook; as a founding member of the Arabic/Greek ensemble Maza Meze; and with the Arabic trio, Doula.  Her voice can be heard on the theme music for “Little Mosque on the Prairie” and on Bollywood film “Guru” with the hit single “Mayya Mayya”.  She became a registered Music Together teacher in Chicago, is a mom of three and loves to sing with children and their                                         families!

Hannah Evans moved to Toronto from England to live and work in Canada. She graduated in music from Sheffield University, UK in 2008 and has also recently completed her Masters in Psychology of Music.  Hannah’s whole life has been music, music, music!  She plays piano, flute and sings but has picked up many other instruments along the way! She loves to sing and has always been involved with many choirs and performances.   She has previously taught pre-school music classes, open workshops for children under 5, as well as running her own sessions with a group of children with autism in a therapeutic setting. She loves making music with children and since becoming a registered Music Together teacher in Rochester, NY she is excited to be part of Toronto’s Music Together classes!

Akemi Akachi is a Japanese descendant born and raised in Mexico. She completed her Bachelor degree in Composition at Las Rosas Conservatory in Mexico in 2004. Akemi has been involved in the creation of multi-disciplinary projects with choreographers and dancers.  Her pieces have been performed in different venues both in Mexico and Canada. She has taught music theory, ear training and sight singing to children and university music students and had the opportunity to teach early childhood music education to preschoolers.  She moved to Toronto to earn her Master’s degree in Composition at the University of Toronto, graduating in 2008. In 2009 she joined the Nagata Shachu taiko (Japanese drumming) ensemble and became a professional taiko performer and instructor. She became a registered Making Music Together teacher in Princeton NJ and is very honored to be part of the Making Music together family. She is passionate about teaching and loves being able to share and make music with children!

Sara Price (not currently teaching)Sara Price’s love of children and music led her to become a registered Music Together teacher in 2004. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and has performed on stage as well as worked behind the scenes. Sara also holds a Bachelor of Science from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Ed. from Charles Sturt University. When she’s not teaching in a classroom, Sara is singing at her family’s synagogue in Hamilton, ON,  she’s a soprano in the Beth Torah Congregational choir, and she’s teaching pre-teens how to sing their portions for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.  

Carrie Adelstein (not currently teaching) was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and has always had a passion for singing and music.  After graduating from John Abbott College's Theatre Workshop Program Carrie moved to Toronto to complete her Honours Bachelors at York University in Theatre.   Since graduating, Carries has lived in Toronto and works professionally as a performer in musical theatre, educational theatre, commercials and videos.  Carrie worked as both a Drama Supervisor and Youth Theatre Director at various camps and synagogues in Montreal, where she was able to combine her love for the arts with her love for children.  Carrie completed her Music Together Teacher Training in New York City and is thrilled to be part of the Music Together magic in Toronto!

Kate Cavan (guest teacher) grew up in Ottawa, Ontario and began pursuing her love for singing during her high school years in the Vocal Music program at Canterbury High School. A graduate of Queen’s University in English Literature and Women’s Studies, Kate has performed both as a solo musician and with various bands. A guitarist and songwriter, Kate has volunteered both at retirement homes and in a primary school classroom teaching music lessons. She is excited to be able to share her love of music with parents and their children in a supportive and creative environment. Kate has successfully completed the Music Together® Teaching Workshop developed by the Center for Music and Young Children, Princeton, New Jersey.