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Teaching Artist & Co-Founder, OrKidstraMargaret Maria

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In 2012, Margaret Maria was awarded the Leading Women Building Communities Award by the Government of Ontario for her work in the Ottawa community with OrKidstra (an El Sistema inspired program) she co-founded in 2007 along with two of her musical colleagues, Tina Fedeski and Gary McMillen. OrKidstra is a thriving charity that brings musical opportunities to children who would otherwise be unable to participate. Margaret Maria is also an Honorary Board Member and the conductor of OrKidstra. You can find her sharing her love of music with the kids every other Wednesday and Thursday at the Vanier Hub and Bronson Centre in Ottawa. Her passion for social justice and music continues to hold strong and true even though she is focused on composing and creating music. In 2012, Margaret and Tina were recognized as Kickass Canadians (www.kickasscanadians.ca).

Margaret Maria is very passionate about teaching and has given master classes in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. She has taught at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, the National Arts Centre’s Summer Music Institute, the Southern Ontario Suzuki Institute and currently teaches at the National Capital Suzuki School of Music and OrKidstra.

In 2011, Margaret Maria decided to leave her professional post as cellist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada to follow her dream of composing and producing her own music. Working in the contemporary Post Classical, Electro Acoustic, New Age, Instrumental, Cinematic, and Steampunk genres, Margaret Maria creates stunning new music with her phenomenal cello playing at the heart of it. Her two children’s albums, A Cello for Chelsea (2005) and Zara the Maggini (2006) were her first creative musical stories that incorporate her narration, musical compositions, and arrangements, into delightful performances that sparks the imagination of children and adults alike.
Seamlessly drifting between genres and going where her spirit takes her, you will find a variety of music – some expected and some unexpected. Venturing into her creativity is a shapeshifting activity in itself. Opening up to her sonic world and exploring all its dimensions is the fascination. Initially a cellist with a traditional classical performance past, she has broken out of every mould to create something unique and always from the heart. As a graduate of the Curtis institute of Music and a professional cellist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the National Arts Centre Orchestra, she soaked up the music of the past to enable her to create music of the future.
Her 14’th album, ‘Between Worlds’ with the great Canadian soprano Donna Brown was released in June 2022 on the Canadian Music Centre’s Centrediscs/Naxos Label. Margaret Maria is currently working on a commission for Strings of St. John in Ottawa to premiere on Women’s Day 2023, her Goddess of Edges most recent series of compositions, her newly formed spontaneous improvising duo Marbyllia and a creativity retreat online course culminating in Italy at BIIMA July 2023.

Teaching ArtistRosemary de Bruijn

Rosemary de Bruijn is an Ottawa-based clarinettist, educator, and music director with over 30 years of experience in music education. She holds degrees in Music Education and teaching qualifications from the University of Toronto and Queen’s University, and studied conducting at the University of Calgary.

Throughout her career, Rosemary has taught music in a wide range of settings, directing concert bands, orchestras, instrumental and vocal ensembles, and summer music camps. She has launched successful band programs in both public and private school systems, and has offered private instruction with a focus on both musical excellence and personal growth. Her teaching is marked by a deep passion for music and a commitment to building inclusive, inspiring musical communities.

Now focusing full-time on homeschooling and community engagement, Rosemary continues to share her expertise as a band leader with the Ignite Homeschool Co-op Band Program and the Ottawa New Horizons Band for adults. She also contributes to various local music initiatives and is thrilled to be a teaching artist and leading the beginning band at OrKidstra’s Vanier Hub, where she shares her love of music with young learners.

Beyond music, Rosemary is an active volunteer and board member with the Petrie Island Canoe Club, where she leads community outreach initiatives and supports the development of club programs and events.

Program AssistantElhaam Namet-Allah

Born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Elhaam Namet-Allah is a first generation Canadian-Egyptian university student with a passion for music. Falling in love with the flute, Elhaam spent eight years playing in concert bands, improvising solos for her high school jazz band, and was able to complete her level 6 RCM exam within a year of taking private lessons. In late 2019, Elhaam began taking voice and piano lessons at “Molly Luhta’s Private Studio”. Once Elhaam found her passion for singing, she quickly performed in several musical festivals, including the Canada Music Week Festival, the Kiwanis Music Festival, and the Stirling Music Festival. In 2021, less than 2 years after Elhaam began training vocally, Elhaam placed second in her “Vocal Solo Class” at Stirling Music Festival; where she was competing against participants all across Ontario. Shortly after, Elhaam won the “ORMTA” scholarship for her dedication to music in Kingston.

Elhaam continues to pursue her passion of music while also pursuing her passion for human rights, global affairs, and politics in Ottawa. At the University of Ottawa, Elhaam is currently enrolled in the Honours Program of Political Science with a minor in Music, and is training as a soprano at the University. In 2022, Elhaam was able to display her love of musical theatre by being featured as an Off-Stage Singer in the Orpheus Musical Theatre Production of “Newsies” while also understudying the lead role of “Medda Larkin”.

With first hand experience, Elhaam believes that music has the power to change lives no matter what academic path someone chooses to go on. While Elhaam is able to speak English, Arabic, and French, Elhaam believes that learning the universal language of music is just as important as learning any other language. Elhaam was honoured to join the OrKidstra Team in December 2022 as she wishes to help people find themselves and reach their greatest potential.

Program Coordinator & Teaching ArtistNiamh Bloomer

Now based in Ottawa, Niamh is a violinist and traditional fiddle player from Ireland. Growing up, she spent every summer immersed in traditional music festivals, workshops and youth orchestra camps. She has been awarded several All-Ireland Fleadh medals for various solo and group performance categories.

In 2019, Niamh moved to Glasgow, Scotland, to pursue her Bachelor of Music at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Throughout her degree, she enjoyed participating in many different music ensembles and was awarded the Sir Thomas Beecham scholarship for performance. Her orchestral highlights include leading the student-run orchestra the Kelvin Ensemble in 2019-20, and traveling to Marseille in 2022 to participate in the first European CIVIS Alliance Symphonic Orchestra project, where the orchestra performed Mahler’s Symphony No.1 in the Théâtre National de Marseille.

Niamh believes in music as a medium for social change, and is passionate about improving access to music education. She is a Creative Learning & Instrumental Ambassador at the Benedetti Foundation, a charitable organization focused on increasing access to music education for children and adults and hosting workshops for young music teachers with leading educators and performers. Before moving to Ottawa, she worked for Sistema Scotland in a similar program to OrKidstra, and is delighted to be continuing her work here in Ottawa.

Teaching ArtistPirahashini Thayanithy

An avid music performer since the age of seven, Pirahashini (pruh-kah-shin-ee) has been involved with live vocal and instrumental studies for two decades, performing with over twenty-five groups in that time. Following memorable years participating in multiple school ensembles, Pirahashini was able to nurture her love of live music as a vocalist in the Regional Arts Program at Mayfield Secondary School. Equally passionate about the biological sciences, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from the University of Guelph, specializing in Music and Neuroscience. After completing this in 2020, she spent the next year working on her Master’s of Education through the University of Ottawa, concentrating on Studies in Teaching and Learning.
    As a young professional in Ottawa, she has spent the last few years immersed in the city’s vibrant music community. She is the Director of Operations for the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, sings with and takes on leadership with the Musica Viva Singers, as well as a member of the Canterbury Trebles Women’s Ensemble. She is always happy to participate in short-term projects with groups such as the Ottawa Pops Orchestra, Lost Baggage Musical Theatre, or any other choirs around the area. Pirahashini has been finding it invigorating and rewarding to be increasingly involved with education at OrKidstra in various capacities. She looks forward to discovering how her uniquely varied combination of interests and experiences can help her best serve her community!

Program Operations Coordinator & Teaching ArtistJury Tosh Kobayashi-Mackay

Jury Tosh Kobayashi-Mackay is a double bassist, composer-performer, educator, writer, and scholar. Jury has an Undergraduate degree in orchestral performance from the University of Toronto. Jury also received a Master’s in Double Bass performance from the Longy School of Music, where he took additional private lessons in conducting, music theory, ear training, form and analysis, piano, historically informed double bass playing, and jazz. In 2020, Jury completed a Master’s degree in Musicology at the University of Western where he wrote his thesis “Domenico Dragonetti: A case study of the 12 unaccompanied waltzes”. Jury completed a PhD in Interdisciplinary Research in Music at the University of Ottawa, with a dissertation centred on the music of Cecil Taylor.

Outside of school and teaching, Jury performs improvised music around Ontario and Quebec both as a solo artist and in a duo with violist Helen Abbot.

Teaching ArtistGuillermo Castillón Sepúlveda

As a musician, classical pianist, and teacher by vocation, Guillermo looks to make music not only by performing, but also by helping his students to find their own way as musicians. Currently residing in Ottawa, Canada, he teaches piano privately (both online and inperson) and is a Teaching Artist at OrKidstra accompanying the KidSingers on the regular as well as other ensambles for concerts. Also, he is pursuing the Master of Arts (M. A.) in Music research program at the University of Ottawa. His present research seeks to directly correlate music theory and instrument instruction at any pre-university level, and he remains interested in topics related to music education in general as well as the role of piano technique in preventing and treating occupational injuries caused by practice with an instrument. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music and Innovation from the School of Fine Arts at Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, with an emphasis on classical piano and music
education. He is currently a teacher at the same institution in the Pre-College program, where he teaches music theory and ear training. Additionally, he is co-director and also an instructor at “ALBOR, Academia de Música,” which he founded with composer Eduardo Herrera in 2021 with the goal of making pre-professional music education accessible in a virtual format. As a pianist, he has focused on piano technique, receiving training in the Taubman Approach from instructors at the Golandsky Institute in both the United States and Mexico. Furthermore, he has dedicated himself to the premiere of contemporary works—having performed eight premieres to date—and to accompanying children’s and youth ensembles.

With over a decade of experience as a music and piano teacher, he has taken courses on various music teaching methods, including the Dalcroze Method, the Kodály Method, and the Suzuki Method. Additionally, he has worked in various schools, such as Northridge School Mexico, teaching subjects related to piano, general music appreciation, music theory, ear training, choral groups, and more.

Niloofar Radmand

Originally from Tehran, Iran, Niloofar Radmand moved to Ottawa in September 2023 to pursue her second Master’s degree in Music Composition at the University of Ottawa. Niloofar joined OrKidstra in September 2024 as a KiddlyWinks Teaching Artist and has since also volunteered with the KidSingers program. Her musical journey began at age 11 when she was accepted into Tehran’s specialized Music Middle School and High School. She went on to earn a Diploma and a Bachelor’s degree in Iranian Music Performance, specializing in the Santoor, a traditional Persian percussion-string instrument. She continued her studies with a Master’s in Composition from the Art University of Tehran.

Alongside her studies, Niloofar developed a deep passion for music education. She has extensive experience teaching early childhood music, primarily through the Orff-Schulwerk approach, and has provided private Santoor lessons at various music schools. As a composer, Niloofar has several published works on Spotify, including the EP Goosheha, featuring a trio for violin, clarinet, and piano (I. Hazin, II. Feili), and another EP for an Iranian trio (I. Rajaz, II. Sooz-O-Godaz), written for Santoor, Kamanche, and Tombak. She has also performed as a Santoor Player with the Orchestra of Tehran, conducted by Nader Mashayekhi, and arranged and performed music with Bigah Band at Tehran’s Rudaki Hall.Niloofar came to Ottawa to not only pursue her passion for composition but also for music education. In addition to her compositional activities, she is currently a KiddlyWinks teacher at OrKidstra and a MYC Sunrise teacher. She also offers private Santoor lessons in Ottawa.

Youth Engagement & Volunteer CoordinatorLisa Dings

Lisa (she/her) grew up in the close-knit community of Vankleek Hill, Ontario, and made her way to Ottawa to earn her Advanced Diploma in Child & Youth Work from Algonquin College in 2008. For over 15 years, she has dedicated her career to supporting children, youth, and families, most notably as a Child & Youth Counsellor at Interval House of Ottawa, an emergency shelter for women and children fleeing gender-based violence. During this time, Lisa completed two levels of play therapy training—fueling her passion for using play as a powerful tool for connection and healing.
Her love of music began at an early age. In high school, she played the trumpet and discovered the joy of creating music with others. Although financial barriers prevented her from continuing at the time, this experience deepened her connection to OrKidstra’s mission of empowering kids through music. While Lisa doesn’t have a formal background as a musician, she is a lifelong music lover—often found with a playlist running or out enjoying live performances.
In May 2025, Lisa joined OrKidstra as the Community & Youth Engagement Coordinator, a role focused on strengthening social development programs, building meaningful relationships with children and families, and coordinating the incredible volunteers who bring OrKidstra’s programs and events to life. Her approach blends practical expertise, empathy, and a commitment to creating inclusive, uplifting spaces where young people can thrive—both musically and personally.
Passionate about social justice and advocacy, Lisa believes in the transformative power of community, creativity, and kindness. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, and dancing like nobody’s watching.

Artistic Manager (KiddlyWinks & KidSingers) & Teaching Artist (On Leave)Christine Hecker

Christine Hecker is a Saskatchewan born, Ottawa based artist with a background in classical music and theatre production. Since moving to Ottawa she has completed a diploma in Theatre Arts from Algonquin College, as well as a Bachelor and a Master of Music in vocal performance from the University of Ottawa.

Growing up, Christine studied piano, singing, and speech arts, while participating in drama and musical theatre groups and choirs. Her foremost formative experience however, was her involvement with Camp Shagabec in the Cypress Hills, SK. Having spent many years as a camper before volunteering as a counsellor and director, the principles of leadership, team work, community, radical inclusivity, and giving back are deeply intertwined. These collective experiences left her seeking spaces where social justice, collaboration, and most especially, a sense of play are at the forefront.

After theatre school, Christine began her career as a stage manager with some of Ottawa’s most beloved indie theatre companies including Plosive Productions, Mi Casa Theatre, Evolution Theatre, TotoToo Theatre, Maycan Theatre, Moon Dog Theatre, and Bear and Co, as well as countless productions in the Ottawa and Toronto Fringe Festivals. She spent two years as a producer for the Youth Infringement Theatre Festival (a festival run entirely by artists under the age of 25) and founded their board of directors. One of her most unique projects was creating and producing the Ottawa Stage Manager Battle, bringing backstage into the spotlight. During her university years her theatre career shifted towards production management with companies such as Black Sheep Theatre, Odyssey Theatre, TACTICS, and a Company of Fools.

Musically speaking, Christine has been teaching voice and piano, and running music and drama camps for many years. Notable performances from her university days include the soprano solo in Scriabin’s Symphony no. 1, Miss Jessel in Turn of the Screw, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Ms. Pinkerton in The Old Maid and the Thief, Marcellina in le nozze di Figaro, and chorus in Don Giovanni and Die Zauberflöte. She sang in the chorus for Louis Riel (NAC/COC) for Canada150 as well as several mass choir performances with the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Christine now splits her time between theatre and music. Aside from leading KidSingers with OrKidstra she teaches singing and speech arts in her own private studio and in collaboration with Sharp Performance Studios in Kanata. She is a member of Ewashko Singers, enjoying regular performances and recording projects. She works as an independent stage manager and production manager and spends her summers with a Company of Fools, bringing Shakespeare-in-the-park to dozens of communities across the Ottawa region.

Teaching ArtistSun Myung Claire Yoon

Claire is pleased to be part of the OrKidstra team as a Teaching Artist. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, her education and experience have shaped her career as a musician for many years. She is an accomplished pianist who is active as a teacher, accompanist, and musical theatre director in the region. She has also been working remotely as the principal orchestral and choral arranger for worship music at one of the largest churches in Seoul. In recent years, she has been actively engaged in several musical theatre societies including Orpheus, TotoToo, Lost Baggage, and Elevator. She is passionate about interacting and connecting with others through music. Claire is excited to be an accompanist for OrKidstra’s KidSingers program.

Librarian & Program Facilitator & Teaching ArtistAstrid Camarena Correa

Astrid Camarena Correa is an active musician, devoting her time to performance, teaching and more recently working for OrKidstra. Born and raised in Mexico, she graduated from Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, where she did her Bachelor of Music and later came to Canada to study her masters in music performance/pedagogy in piano at Memorial University in St John’s, NL. She studied with several pianists like Claudia Cordova, Londa Mashkarashvili, Nika Jonicenoka, Kristina Szutor, and Silvia Navarrete.

Astrid has explored many aspects in her career as a pianist. She has played with orchestras like Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil de Puebla, Orquesta Filarmonica de la Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes and the Orquesta Filarmonica de Aguascalientes. She has collaborated with several instrumentalists, singers and choirs, as well as ballet studios. Astrid has had the opportunity to teach piano and music theory both in community projects and in different music schools. These experiences made her realize how big of an impact can be made for people when they get the opportunity to learn and play music. Her desire to contribute to her community is always present and, after recently moving back to Canada, she is ready to learn from and contribute to OrKidstra while continuing to teach and perform.

Astrid speaks Spanish, English, and a little bit of French and she joined the OrKidstra team in January 2023.

Teaching ArtistKaroly Sziladi

With over 25 years of teaching and coaching experience, Karoly is thrilled to be part of the OrKidstra team! Throughout that time he has also performed with many different ensembles including, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (as concertmaster, 1999-2005). Growing up in Ottawa he took violin lessons with his father Karoly Sr., went to Canterbury High School and was a member of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy. He then continued his studies with Richard Roberts at McGill University, graduating in 1996.

Artistic Manager (Strings) & Teaching ArtistSonia Caceres Rivera

Originally from Colombia, Sonia is an Ottawa-based musician and music educator specializing in violin. She earned her Bachelor of Music with Honours in Education from the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) in Colombia in 2017. In 2019, Sonia completed a Graduate Diploma in Violin Performance at the University of Ottawa, and in 2021, she obtained her Master of Arts in Music and Culture from Carleton University.

Sonia has performed with several notable ensembles, including the Symphonic Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga (UNAB), the Young UNAB Orchestra, the string quartet Aniri, and the Kanata Symphony Orchestra. Growing up, Sonia was exposed to traditional Colombian Andean music through her family and was actively involved with the musical ensemble Corazón Santandereano, which deepened her appreciation for Colombian music.

In the spring of 2022, Sonia was selected as one of 40 teachers worldwide to participate in the Firebird Fellowship program offered by the Academy for Impact through Music (AIM). Since then, she has engaged in additional initiatives, including the Alumni Track and the Fire Up Program.

Sonia is a strong advocate for the transformative power of music and feels honored to contribute to this process. She joined the OrKidstra family in 2018 as a Violin Teaching Artist Assistant and later became a Violin Teaching Artist. In the fall of 2021, Sonia was appointed as the Teaching Artist & Program Facilitator and currently serves as the Strings Artistic Manager. In her current and previous roles, she has led various workshops at OrKidstra and conducted workshops organized by the Sistema Canada Network, in addition to being part of the Mentorship Program in 2024.

In addition to her work with OrKidstra, Sonia runs a private violin studio in Ottawa. She enjoys spending time outdoors, with loved ones, and dancing.

Teaching ArtistChristina Deaville

Christina Deaville began her music journey at the age of four, raised in an environment that nurtured and inspired her love for music. Her passion for playing took off when she had her first professional orchestral experience in Ireland with Summer Music on the Shannon performing Mendelsohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The following year she attended McGill University where she received her Bachelor’s in Violin Performance and 5 years later she went on to complete her Master’s at the University of Ottawa.

Over the years she has been fortunate to study with incredible teachers and mentors including Yehonatan Berick, Elaine Klimasko, Thomas Williams, and the concertmaster of the NACO, Yosuke Kawasaki. Her music has given her opportunities to travel around the world to places such as Québec, Nova Scotia, Ireland and China.

Christina has had the privilege of performing with the National Academy Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, the McGill Symphony Orchestra and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Currently, she is principal second of the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra.

She joined the OrKidstra family in the fall of 2016 as an ETAP student. After falling in love with the organization and the children, she has decided to continue her time with them in 2024 as a Teaching Artist.

Beyond her love for music, Christina is dedicated to working with individuals with disabilities and enjoys playing soccer every opportunity she gets.

Band Program Advisor & Teaching ArtistMark Constantine

Mark Constantine is a performer, educator, and arts administrator with a wide range of musical interests. Originally from Canada’s East Coast, Mark is a graduate of both the University of Ottawa and Indiana University, where he received Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Horn performance, respectively. His principal artistic mentors, in music and the horn, include Dale Clevenger, Lawrence Vine, and Dan Gress, among others.

Mark has performed with a variety of orchestras and major arts organizations across Canada, including with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus Musical Theatre, and a range of chamber music ensembles as well. Mark has also performed in many festivals and events across Canada, including the Ottawa International Chamberfest, the Music and Beyond Festival, the Opera on the Avalon Festival, and The Scotia Festival of Music. These performances have resulted in collaborations with diverse artists ranging from the late cellist-composer Cris Dirksen, to Il Divo, to Rajaton. He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2016 and 2017, the National Academy Orchestra in 2019 and 2020, and has worked with renowned conductors such as Alexander Shelley, Thomas Wilkins, Tania Miller, and Boris Brott.

As a teacher, Mark is in demand for his work with brass students of all ages. In addition to maintaining a small private studio of horn students, Mark works with the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy as an instructor and ensemble conductor. Similarly, believing strongly in the power of music to build community, since 2020 Mark has worked extensively with Ottawa-based charity OrKidstra – a unique, social-development-through-music program that empowers kids through the universal language of music. In all educational settings, Mark focuses on helping students achieve their musical goals in their own way, always encouraging healthy playing habits, and keeping fun at the heart of musical learning.

In his spare time, Mark enjoys riding his bicycle, spending time with his family, fiancée, and other loved ones, and the company of his cat, Moe.

Photo by Curtis Perry

Teaching ArtistCarolyn Ho

Born and raised in Toronto, Carolyn began her violin studies at the age of 7 with Hyung-Sun Paik (Toronto Symphony Orchestra). She then studied with Annalee Patipatanakoon (Gryphon Trio). After obtaining her grade 10 RCM certification (for which she was awarded the silver medal for obtaining the highest grade in Ontario, 1998), she pursued a career in Electrical Engineering and worked for various telecommunications companies which encompassed a period in Seattle, Washington.

She now happily resides in Kanata, working for OrKidstra, and enjoys playing with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Ottawa Chamber Orchestra (Concertmaster), Kanata Symphony Orchestra (Principal Viola), pursuing her love of choir, chamber music, biking, hiking, baking sourdough and exploring other interests.

Teaching ArtistNatalia Martinez Medrano

Natalia Martinez Medrano is a Teaching Artist at OrKidstra who brings together a love of music and a deep commitment to supporting children and youth. Originally from Mexico, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano and is currently completing her Child and Youth Care Advanced Diploma at Algonquin College.
Natalia has extensive experience working with children with special needs and those from vulnerable communities, and she is passionate about creating spaces where kids feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. At OrKidstra, she teaches in the KiddlyWinks program, leading fun and engaging group music classes for children aged 5–8 that encourage teamwork, emotional expression, and confidence through music.
With over ten years of experience teaching piano through the Suzuki Method, Natalia has taught both individual and group lessons and has supported children in festival and performance settings, always focusing on positive encouragement and growth at each child’s own pace. Her background in Child and Youth Care helps her adapt lessons to meet different learning needs while building strong, caring relationships with her students.
Natalia believes in the power of music to bring people together, build resilience, and help children discover their own strengths.

Annie Ponce

Annie Ponce is a Mexican flutist, arts manager, and teacher whose journey into classical music began unexpectedly–when she started playing flute she didn’t like classical music, but over time she fell deeply in love with its beauty, depth, and expressive power. Today, she finds joy in performing, teaching, managing, and helping others connect with it. Annie loves performing and guiding audiences through what they are about to hear, helping them discover meaning in sound.

Annie has been teaching music for over ten years in a comprehensive way, guiding her students to build trust, develop healthy practice habits, set meaningful goals, and find emotional depth in their playing. She believes that making music offers us the chance to experience connection, joy, and boost our confidence when we achieve musical goals.

A passionate chamber musician, she earned National Second Place in Mexico with the Quinteto Panamericano at the 16º Concurso Nacional de Música de Cámara of the Escuela Superior de Música (INBAL, Mexico, 2021). She has premiered contemporary works such as “Into the Hydrosphere” (2022) and “Suite para Quinteto de Alientos” (2021), both by the Mexican composer Eduardo Herrera.

Annie has participated in masterclasses with Philipp Bernold, Joanna G’froerer, Mimi Stillman, Bella Hristova, Roberto Díaz, Daris Dale, Ian Davidson, Linda Toote, and Sonora Slocum. She thrives in collaborative music-making, exploring artistic ideas and ensemble sound with creativity and intention.

She recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Flute Performance from the University of Ottawa, where she studied under Stephanie Morin, and she also studied a Master in Arts Management and Cultural Policies at the Panamerican University in Mexico City.

Co-Founder & Social Development AdvisorTina Fedeski, MSM

After a life-transforming experience in UK’s Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra, Tina went on to study at the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England, and then played principal flute in the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra for four seasons. After spending a six-month sabbatical on full scholarship at the Banff Centre for the Arts, she moved to Ottawa, where she played with all the established orchestras and festivals in Ottawa, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival.

In 1999, in partnership with her husband Gary McMillen, she opened The Leading Note. Until its sale in 2020, it was recognized as one of Canada’s leading print music stores – and a hub of the classical music scene in Ottawa.

In 2007, motivated by her belief in the transformative power of youth music, Tina visited Venezuela to research El Sistema. Soon afterward, she and co-founders Gary McMillen and Margaret Tobolowska founded OrKidstra (previously also known as The Leading Note Foundation.)

As Executive Director, Tina proudly accepted a Peace Award from the Mayor of Ottawa in 2011 in recognition of OrKidstra’s impact on the community of Ottawa. In spring 2012, Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre, presented Tina with the Leading Women/Leading Girls, Building Communities Award. She is also recognized as a Kickass Canadian, and late in 2012, she received, with immense gratitude, the Canadian Institute for Child Health Leadership Award. In 2017, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, awarded Tina Fedeski the Meritorious Service Medal for creating the OrKidstra program. Tina is a Certified Integral Associate Coach™ with Integral Coaching Canada.

In November 2024, Tina was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa, from Carleton University and was also inducted into the 2024 Order of Ottawa.

¹ Photo courtesy of Carleton University.

Artistic Managing DirectorDanielle Girard

Danielle joined OrKidstra as the Artistic Managing Director in 2026. As a violinist, educator, and award-winning researcher, she has supported equitable access to music education throughout her career. After picking up her great-grandfather’s fiddle at the age of 12, Danielle began violin lessons and soon after had the opportunity to participate in her school orchestra program, where she first experienced the joy of making music with others. Resonating with OrKidstra’s mission to empower kids and build community through music, Danielle’s passion for sharing music with others has inspired her journey as a teacher throughout many community music programs in Canada and the United States.

Danielle earned a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from Western University and a Master of Music (Performance) from the University of Toronto. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Music Education at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Danielle comes to OrKidstra with 15 years of teaching experience in programs such as Sistema Toronto, Sistema NB, the Indiana University String Academy, and the Fairview Violin Project. She is a Suzuki-certified violin teacher and has taught individual, group, and string orchestra classes for students from age 3 to 75.

Danielle’s research focuses on family engagement and the experiences of historically marginalized families in music education. She has presented at multiple national and international conferences and was recognized by the American Educational Research Association with the Outstanding Graduate Paper of the Year in Music Education in 2025. She has published her work in the Journal of Research in Music Education.

When she is not at OrKidstra, Danielle enjoys spending time with friends and family, swimming, and exploring Gatineau Park with her two dogs.

Teaching ArtistWendy Berkelaar

Originally form Nova Scotia, Wendy came to Ottawa in 1995 to pursue her master’s degree in fortepiano performance under the mentorship of the late Cynthia Floyd. Little did she know then that she was actually destined for the musical theatre world. Wendy got her theatrical start at Orpheus Musical Theatre Society as a rehearsal accompanist and pit orchestra musician. She went on to apprentice several musical directors there and conducted her first show (Guys and Dolls) in 2006. Since then, Wendy has worked nationally and internationally as a musical director and keyboardist.
Here at home in Ottawa, Wendy is a still familiar face around Orpheus, and has also worked with Ottawa Little Theatre, Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet Productions, Indie Women Productions, and recently made her debut with the Great Canadian Theatre Company. She’s also has the privilege of being the local sub for Broadway Across Canada and has performed in the orchestra with the tours of Wicked, The Book of Mormon and Les Misérables. Wendy has been the accompanist for the KidSingers program since 2013, and is thrilled to be a part of the OrKidstra family.

Teaching ArtistAndrew Gesing

Andrew is a 2017 graduate of the Bachelor of Education program at the University of Ottawa, specializing in teaching music and English, and a 2015 graduate of the Bachelor of Music program at the University of Toronto, specializing in music education and classical saxophone performance. Andrew became involved with OrKidstra as a student teacher for his University of Ottawa Teacher Education program in April 2017, and officially became part of the team in May 2017.

Outside of OrKidstra, Andrew is an avid sailor, and an active part of the Ottawa music scene as a member of the funk band Cloud City, the assistant director and lead alto player of the Bytowne Big Band, a member of the Hewey Lewis and the News tribute band Too Hip to be ■, and a freelance performer and arranger.

Teaching ArtistYolande Laroche

Yolande Laroche is a queer franco Canadian Taiwanese clarinetist, keyboardist, singer-songwriter and producer established in Gatineau, Quebec. She holds a Bachelor degree in Music and Minor in Arts Administration from the University of Ottawa.

She is a core member of art-rock group Pony Girl (Paper Bag Records), experimental sound-art trio KAY-fayb and leads her solo experimental pop project Orchidae and will soon be releasing her debut album in spring 2025 via Birthday Cake Records.

Yolande works as a clarinet teacher and brings her classical training to her world of contemporary music as a freelance, touring and session musician.

Teaching ArtistMarlene Cruz Lozano

Born in Mexico City, Marlene Cruz Lozano began her professional musical education at the Escuela Superior de Música, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, where she pursued a performance degree in piano and violin. In 2001, she moved to Canada to continue her studies and obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Music from Bishop’s University. During her degree, she studied composition with Canadian composers Andrew Paul MacDonald and Stewart Grant.

Her musical interests are wide-ranging and she enjoys exploring different genres, such as world music, jazz, classical and contemporary through composition, improvisation and performance.
With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Marlene shares her passion for music by creating a fun and motivating environment in which students can improve both their musical and personal skills. Marlene’s approach to music education is based on creativity – including composition as an imaginative tool – particularly when working with youth. Through this method, Marlene teaches the fundamentals of music theory, along with the exploration of diverse musical styles and improvisation. As a teacher, it is her objective to help students find their own musical voice, as well as to guide those who are interested in composing their own music. Marlene has also had the privilege of working closely with special needs students, using music as a valuable tool for growth.

Being a curious, creative and innovative musician, she is constantly continuing her personal development through diverse masterclasses and online education from Universities such as Berklee (Improvisation Certificate) and Northwestern University (Teaching Violin and Viola: A Healthy Foundation). As a new OrKidstra Teaching Artist, she is excited to contribute and grow as a teacher.

Teaching ArtistAngela Blackwell

Angela is from Harrogate in Yorkshire. She studied clarinet with David Campbell at Dartington College of Arts, where she completed a BA (Hons) in music. She continued her studies with John Fuest at Birmingham Conservatory, completing a GBSM along with two ABSMs in performing and teaching. She settled in Bristol, playing with the Bristol Philharmonic and Bristol Opera Company and freelancing in the many theatres in the area. She taught at Bristol University and in private and public schools in and around the city.

She moved to Ottawa in 1996. She has continued her playing with Kanata Winds, Divertimento Orchestra, the fiVe wind quintet, The Stan Clark Orchestra, National Capital Concert Band and giving solo recitals. She has worked with Ottawa New Horizons from its beginning in 2008 as both a director and winds coach. She directs The Beacon, an Ottawa-based community concert band and runs an annual Clarinet Bootcamp, as well as organizing clarinet choir afternoons for members of the Ottawa clarinet community. She is thrilled to be a Teaching Artist with OrKidstra, directing the senior winds and working with the Masterclass program that was developed online during the pandemic.

Teaching ArtistJessica Simpson

Born and raised in Ottawa, Jessica began her musical journey learning songs with her Grandma from a very young age. She was always the first of all the grandchildren to be at the piano as soon as Grandma began to play and sing. At the age of 8, Jessica began her formal musical training with Cantiamo Girls Choir of Ottawa (now the Cantiamo Choirs of Ottawa) with conductor Jackie Hawley and fell in love with choral music. Soon after, at the age of 11, she began private voice lessons in Kanata. Jessica is also a graduate of Canterbury High School’s Vocal program where she worked with pianist, organist and choral director Mr. James Caswell. In 2019, Ms. Simpson graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Music with a specialization in music education and during that time Jessica studied voice privately with Professor Sandra Graham. While at the University of Ottawa, Jessica performed in a multitude of choirs including; the University of Ottawa’s Calixa Lavallee Choir with Laurence Ewashko, Canterbury Trebles Women’s Ensemble with James Caswell and Hypatia’s Voice Women’s Choir with Laura Hawley. 

For the past couple of years, Jessica has been as a voice teacher alongside Ottawa voice teacher Diana Sharp at her private studio. Since graduating from her Bachelor of Music at the University of Ottawa, Jessica has also moved on to a second bachelor’s degree with the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Education. Jessica is working towards her graduation in June of 2021, with an intermediate/senior division qualification for music and English.

In 2019, Jessica joined the Orkidstra team as a teaching artist. Jessica, known at Orkidstra as Ms. Jessica, works alongside Ms. Deborah with Kidsingers at the Vanier Hub location and now with all of the Kidsingers online. 

Teaching ArtistDr. Keith Hartshorn-Walton

Multi-instrumentalist Keith Hartshorn-Walton relocated to Ottawa in 2015 and has established himself in the City’s Jazz scene specializing in Tuba, Sousaphone, Electric and Acoustic Bass.

Originally from Winnipeg, Keith toured extensively with the Foothills Brass Quintet. He has performed with Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Quinsin Nachoff, as well as orchestras in Edmonton, Calgary, Oshawa and Kingston. In the spring of 2018 he was part of Rob Frayne’s Dreamband 3 with musicians from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

In Ottawa he can be found in bands as diverse as The Bank Street Bonbons, Safe Low Limit (an all-bass clef jazz group), Linsey Wellman’s Wedding and Funeral Trio, and particularly Mélanie E., a quartet featuring his wife Mélanie Hartshorn-Walton on French Jazz vocals.

In September 2019, Keith was privileged to be invited to perform in New York City for a special tribute concert to his mentor, jazz tuba pioneer Howard Johnson.

As a bassist he has performed with the Beeched Wailers, Alex Moxon, Zakari Frantz, Peter Hum, Stephen Berndt and Steve Boudreau. Keith is also part of two monthly jazz series with Tariq Amery and Garrett Warner at Ottawa’s Art House Café and also has hosted the monthly Jazz in Barrhaven series at Anabia Cupcakery.

In addition, Keith is music director and organist at Wall Street United Church in Brockville. He received his Doctorate of Music from McGill University in 2010, and has studied with Dennis Miller and Mark Tetreault, and McGill and the University of Toronto, respectively.

Teaching ArtistJennifer Martinez

2021 Director of Education Award recipient Jennifer Martinez, is an active, dedicated Music Educator in the Ottawa Community. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, she has over 40 years experience working with children and finding the best teaching practices to keep them engaged, excited, and successful; musically, emotionally and academically.

Jennifer immigrated to Canada over 31 years ago, making her passionate about cultural responsiveness and celebration of diversity within the community. She grew up watching the “El Sistema” Orchestra Program develop from its first years in Venezuela and witnessed firsthand the benefits of access to Music in every child’s life, no matter their background. Jennifer is the mother of three young men, 26, 28 and 32!!! After studying Music and Industrial Engineering in Caracas, she later completed her Bachelor of Music at the University of Ottawa in 2002, and her Bachelor of Education (with a concentration in Music Pedagogy and a minor in French Literature) in 2003. Her passion for music education goes beyond rhythm and notes, expanding on the dynamic and engaging opportunities in Music learning with the children, whom she learns from the most. Advocating for social programming through Music, she enjoys planning and collaborating with other music educators to best serve our youth while connecting with their interests.

Jennifer has conducted bands within the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB), as well as with the Ottawa New Horizons adult band program while being a member of their Board of Directors in the past. Presently, she is a music instructor with the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy and is a member of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association. Jennifer is a full-time Administrator with the OCSB, where she is a high school Vice Principal. Jennifer has taught students during all these years 3 to 93 and believes Music involvement in any capacity, young and younger, can change the world!

Teaching ArtistEmma Grant-Zypchen

Born and raised in Ottawa, Emma began her musical studies with the National Capital Suzuki School of Music at the age of 7. There she studied with Kirk Starkey and Margaret Tobolowska. At Canterbury High School she attained a Fine Arts Certificate in the Strings Program, during which she also first became involved in OrKidstra, as a mentor! After high school she decided to pursue her musical studies further at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music where she obtained her Bachelor’s of Music in Cello Performance with Outstanding Achievement in Cello, Dean’s Honour List and the McGill Alumnae Society Prize under the tutelage of Matt Haimovitz. During this time, she was twice a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada whose tours saw them performing such venues as Montréal’s Maison Symphonique, the National Art Centre’s Southam Hall, Toronto’s Koerner Hall, the Berlin Konzerthaus and Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. After graduating from McGill in 2019, she returned to Ottawa and began her career as a music educator, becoming a teacher at the same Suzuki school that fostered her as a child, as well as at OrKidstra. She finds great fulfillment in this path, aiming to share her love of music and the cello with the next generation, and enjoying witnessing each child uniquely grow through their musical experiences. Emma has completed Units 1 and 2 of Suzuki teacher training and in the spring of 2022, received her Master’s of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Montreal, studying with Yegor Dyachkov. In her free time, she enjoys various outdoor pursuits such as running, cross country skiing and backcountry canoe camping as well as hobbies such as watercolour botanical illustration and knitting.

Teaching ArtistMalcolm Horava

Malcolm Horava is a trumpet player and pianist currently living in Ottawa. He graduated from University of Toronto with a Master’s in Trumpet Performance degree in 2021 as well as from University of Ottawa with a Bachelor’s in Trumpet Performance Degree in 2019. Throughout his education, he has studied trumpet with Steven Van Gulik, Eric Rupp, Karen Donnelly, and Anita McAlister, and piano with Frederic Lacroix during his Bachelor’s at uOttawa. Malcolm played trumpet for the Changing of the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard during the summers of 2017-2019. Since moving to Toronto in 2019, he has played trumpet and piano with the Band of the Queen’s Own Rifles Regimental Band and Pop Band. Malcolm was honoured to be accepted into NYO’s virtual program from 2019-2020. He has also been the collaborative pianist for juries, recitals and competitions at uOttawa and U of T, and was the collaborative pianist TA for the Brass Orchestral Studies and Trumpet Performance classes at the University of Toronto. Since moving back to Ottawa, he started teaching at Orkidstra and New Horizons Band, and is currently working on contract with the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces as trumpet player.

Teaching ArtistPaula SantaCruz

Paula SantaCruz is a Puerto Rican cellist, educator, and creative artist whose work spans performance, teaching, and artistic leadership across Puerto Rico, the United States, Ecuador, and Canada. Known for her versatility, Paula performs a wide range of repertoire—from early music to contemporary works—and has appeared with orchestras and chamber ensembles in both classical and popular music settings.

She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degree from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied with Dr. Jonathan Ruck, as well as a Bachelor of Music from the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico. From 2018 to 2023, she served as principal cellist of the Orquesta Filarmónica Municipal de Guayaquil and cello professor at the Universidad Especializada Espíritu Santo in Ecuador.

An avid chamber musician, Paula is the founder of Música entre Amigos, a concert series dedicated to community and collaboration. Her teaching experience includes positions at universities, private academies, and her own active cello studio. She is passionate about accessible, diverse music education that bridges cultures and generations.

Paula also leads socially engaged projects at the intersection of classical music, culture, and innovation. These include Music for Puerto Rico, a benefit concert for Hurricane María relief; Popper Boricua, connecting Puerto Rican cellists during the pandemic; and Wey, Sí Música, a violin-cello duo exploring popular music through classical instruments.

Her research on Puerto Rican composer William Ortiz led to the premiere and recording of Leró, a solo cello work dedicated to her. In 2024, she launched Let’s Fermata! | Musicians on Mental Health, a bilingual podcast exploring artists’ journeys and emotional well-being in the music world.

In 2025, Paula joins OrKidstra as a Teaching Artist—an opportunity she is genuinely excited about and sees as a powerful way to continue inspiring young musicians through inclusive, creative music education.