Esther is an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director, and mom to four beautiful children. She began teaching Music Together^® in 2002 and founded Canalside Music Together in the fall of 2003. Esther has performed on stages throughout the country such as Main State Theatre (Ain't Misbehavin'), North Carolina Theatre (Dreamgirls), and Sacramento Music Circus (The Music Man, Pirates of Penzance). She was also in the West End cast of Show Boat directed by Harold Prince. Locally, Esther has appeared on the stages of Geva Theatre, JCC CenterStage, Blackfriars Theatre, and has performed with the Webster Theatre Guild, Lady Parts Theatre Company, Method Machine, and Out of Pocket Theatre Company. She has also appeared in various local commercials (sometimes even a billboard!). Although Esther grew up in Los Angeles, she has been an east coaster for most of her adult life, receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University and living in NYC as a professional actor for thirteen years. Esther holds Music Together Certification Level II status for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education. She is also a Music Together Worldwide teacher trainer.

Esther’s Fun Facts:

All-time favorite (non-Music Together) song is: I found this question almost impossible to answer as there always seems to be some sort of soundtrack playing in my head, but “Sailing” by Christopher Cross always makes me smile and immediately relaxes me

If I could be any animal, I’d be: an eagle. They’re powerful. Plus, flying

My favorite food is: the cheeseburger at Restaurant Good Luck. Never disappoints

Most people don’t know that I: worked at Christie’s Auction House in NYC for three years setting up auctions for photography, European paintings, contemporary art and sculpture. I learned so much

When you was a child, I once: thought it would be fun to run around the house blindfolded. I was mistaken

I will always dance to: pretty much anything but “Love on Top” by Beyonce is one of my top five

I remember: putting on shows in my backyard along with my two childhood buddies (hi Laurie and Darrell!). We’d invite the entire neighborhood and serve refreshments. Our favorite performance was singing and acting out West Side Story. There were only three of us, so it was tricky, but we made it work

Tara is a board certified music therapist and a registered Music Together teacher with Certification Level I training. She received a B.S. in Music Therapy and a B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York at Fredonia. While at Fredonia, Tara served as a teaching assistant for an Early Childhood Music Pedagogy course, giving music classes in the community to typical preschool students and preschool students with developmental disabilities. Tara is currently working as the music therapist for the Monroe One BOCES and is earning her Masters in Music Therapy from Nazareth College. She plays the piano, guitar, ukulele, and various percussion instruments. Tara completed her Music Together training in New York City and taught in Fredonia, NY. She is thrilled to be a part of the Canalside Music Together team.

Tara’s Fun Facts:

All-time favorite (non-Music Together) song is: “After the Storm” by Mumford & Sons

If I could be any animal, I’d be: A koala hangin’ in the trees!

My favorite food is: Soft pretzels with cheese dip

Most people don’t know that I: Go swing dancing for fun

When I was a child, I once: Tried doing somersaults down the stairs

I will always dance to: “Material Girl” by Madonna (I don’t consider myself to be one, but man is that song catchy)

I remember: My music together teacher training weekend. We started by moving around the room singing This Train while playing egg shakers. I was hooked right away!

Michelle received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Masters of Education from Nazareth College with concentrations in choral conducting and child vocal development.  She is a registered Music Together teacher with Certification Level I training. Additionally, Michelle holds a Kodaly Level 1 Certification.  Before the birth of her first child she taught Vocal/General Music and Chorus at the Canandaigua Primary/Elementary School for nine years.  Michelle currently serves as the Secretary of the Brooks Hill Elementary School PTA Board, is the Co-Director of the Brooks Hill Theatre Company and volunteers as a Religious Education Catechist and Cantor for her family's parish. Michelle and her husband have two daughters and reside in Fairport.

Michelle’s Fun Facts:

All-time favorite (non-Music Together) song is:  I find my favorite song truly depends on the place I find myself in in my life and has varied greatly over the years.  My mantra song for “adulting” has been “Break My Stride” (Wilder)

If I could be any animal, I'd be: I have often wished to be my cat....snoozing in a warm patch of sun

My favorite food is:  CHOCOLATE (did you have to ask?)

Most people don't know that I: lived for a summer in Germany as an exchange student

When I was a child, I once:  I desperately wanted to be the voice of a Disney character

I will always dance to:  “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

I remember: The “+” sign on the EPT test after years of battling infertility

Amanda received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Penn State University with a concentration in general and instrumental music. In addition to her degree, she also holds a level one Orff certification. She has taught as an elementary instrumental teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools for 2 years and then taught as a general music teacher for 8 years in the Philadelphia area before moving to the Rochester area in 2020. Amanda's plays the flute and has played in various community bands, flute choirsm weddingsm and and as also taught privately to students for many years. She grew up in the Philadelphia area, but loves living in Pittsford with her husband and two daughters.
 

Amanda's Fun Facts:

All-time favorite (non-Music Together) song is: I have so many favorite songs, but Coldplay has been a favorite band since high school and "Everything's Not Lost" has sottd the test of time as a favorite song

If I could be any animal I'd be: any little songbird, always singing and flying!

My favorite food: eggs any style with sougdough toast

Most people don't know that I: am a vegetarian and love to garden with native plants. I am always thinking about how I can have a lower impact on the earth and how I can help it heal

When I was a child, I once: got to dance as Clara in the Nutcracker

I will always dance to: "Harder Better Faster Stronger" by Daft Punk

I Remember: all of the music teachers in my life including my mom, who really inspired me to become a music teacher