Our Teachers - Erin, Jill, Lara, & Alyson

photo Erin Ronningen

Owner/Director, Instructor, BMus

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I fell in love with singing through childhood choirs, later exploring musical theatre, classical voice, and jazz. Whether performing with friends or on stage, music has always been a source of joy, connection, and confidence—and now I love helping families discover that same joy together.

I’ve been teaching early childhood music for over 15 years, including Music Together® classes in Toronto since 2013. I’ve also taught with amazing community programs like Sistema Toronto and the AIFEC initiative at the Hamilton Music Collective, bringing music and movement into classrooms and children's lives.

I hold a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Victoria, with additional studies in jazz and performing arts. I’ve performed in opera, jazz, musical theatre, and choral settings—with groups like the Elora Festival Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir—but my greatest joy is making music in a circle with children and families.

No experience is necessary—all voices are welcome here. Whether you sing professionally or just hum along in the car, your voice is the most important one to your child. I’d love to sing and play with you and your little one!

For inquiries about our center or in-school programs, feel free to reach out—I'm happy to chat!

Contact Erin
     
photo Lara deBeyer

Instructor

Lara's favourite thing to do in the morning is spend time with 

babies and toddlers and their big people making music and 

exploring sounds. She is a classically trained pianist who loves 

to explore new instruments and folk styles. Lara has taught baby 

and toddler music classes for 13 years in 4 cities and she can't 

wait to sing and dance with you!
     
photo Jillian Smith

Instructor

I can’t imagine my life without music. Full stop. Music is a force, a joy and a lifelong gift that I’m compelled to share with others. I come from a large family, with six nieces and nephews under eleven years old. My charismatic nature paired with a deep love for music means that I’m comfortable leading groups of all ages – and I’m the go-to leader of family sing-alongs!

I have a Master of Arts in Sociology from Memorial University, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Western University and have studied Sociology & Social Policy in England at the University of Leeds.

I’m a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and private piano teacher. I’m also a core member of the band Minuscule and the owner/lead editor at Small Seeds Editing.

I firmly believe that every child is musical. And as a former climate researcher, I value the research-based nature of the Music Together curriculum. With nearly three decades of musical experience – as a pianist, singer, songwriter, student, and teacher – I’m excited to join Music Together to help cultivate joy through music!

 
     
photo Alyson Cuddy

Instructor and Current MTGG Mom

 

Alyson is a born and raised Hamiltonian who has been immersed in music from a young age. While she enjoys a variety of styles of music, she is a classically trained vocalist and grew up singing with the Hamilton Children’s Choir. She still finds herself in love with choral music and is now a member of Myriad Ensemble. 

 

By day, Alyson is a civil engineer specialising in Transportation Engineering. She is a proud mother to her toddler twins, who are the reason she became involved with Music Together programming. 

 

Alyson and her wife began bringing their twins to classes at four months old. She has seen firsthand how impactful the Music Together programming can be and was so personally impacted she knew she had to find out if she could take her involvement a step further. She is so excited to now be able to connect with other grown-ups and their children through leading classes and spreading the joy that music brings to her life in a community that is inclusive, affirming, and welcoming to all who attend.