Teachers
Matty Powell
"Matt Powell is a multi-instrumentalist including bass and guitar, and a graduate from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. As the son of two music educators, Matt knows first hand the benefits of being exposed to interactive music at a very young age. Through early private instruction, he developed a strong background in classical and jazz bass, leading him to perform with several prestigious groups, including the 2005 NYSSMA All-State Symphonic Orchestra where he served as principal chair. He later was accepted to the Berklee College of Music where he received a degree in Music Production and Engineering. Over the last 12 years, Matt’s professional music career in Boston has consisted of an eclectic mix of performances, touring, studio gigs, private lessons, production, audio engineering, and composition. Matt has always attributed his versatility in music to the exposure he had to it from an early age.
Matt’s Instruments: Bass, Guitar, Voice, Piano"
Tommy Dempsey
Tommy Dempsey is a multi-instrumentalist including drums guitar and piano. Tommy studied voice under renown vocal therapist Mark Baxter. Tommy has taught music class as a part of Baby Wiggle (Boston Center for the Arts), as well as at the Boston Children's Museum. Tommy has performed at festivals and libraries throughout the North East, singing, playing percussion and guitar as a member of the children's music group -Sara Wheeler's "Little Groove" band.
His energetic classes use a lot of percussion and call and response rhythm training using the voice and hands. Tommy believes that through music, children can learn both about structure, as well as freedom and individuality in a fun learning environment.
As a solo singer and songwriter, Tommy has released 3 CD's touring throughout Europe and Japan. He has just co-produced, and is about to release his first full length solo CD entitled "eleven : eleven "
Tommy's Instruments - Voice, Guitar, Piano and Drums
Leana O’Connor
Leana O’Connor is a multi-instrumentalist including violin and guitar, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and a current student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Born and raised in the capitol of Missouri, Leana found her passion and drive for music through her music teacher playing “The Sound of Music” at the age of 4 years old. She began violin lessons at a very young age, and has had the pleasure of playing in her high school’s Symphonic Orchestra and competing in state competitions. Leana is also classically trained vocally, and held the position as secretary and public relations in opera as well as treasurer in her university choir. She later transferred to Berklee College of Music where she will be receiving her BM in Professional Music with emphasis in music production and performance. Leana’s professional music career began as soon as she began studying and learning from Grammy award nominees/winners, Paula Cole and Nichelle Mungo. Last year, Leana was handpicked by Grammy award winning folk rock duo, The Indigo Girls to perform with them at the beginning of their American tour. Leana is inspired by every genre of music and understands how each one can teach you something different. Her debut EP is currently in the works and she is professionally known as Leana Nykole.
Leana's instrument - Voice, Guitar, Piano and Drums
Michelle Nguyen
Michelle Nguyen started learning music at age 7, classically trained in piano. Michelle proceeded to further her music career at Berklee College of Music, where she is currently studying music therapy. Her primary focuses with music therapy is target research in both early development and elderly population. Michelle has a background of 4 years working with children. Her primary instruments are piano and guitar. Michelle is excited to be part of Little Groove and use music as a tool to increase non-musical areas of daily functioning, such as motor, social, communication, and cognitive skills.
Michelle's Instruments- Piano and Guitar
Jen Aldana is a singer-songwriter, worship leader, and teaching artist based out of Greater Boston area. Jen has been working with young people for over 5 years in private lessons, after school programming, and now at Little Groove! Working in the community and inspiring the next generation is near and dear to her heart.
Jen graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Songwriting. Upon graduation, she became the Season 5 Winner of The Voice on Snapchat, a social media extension of the live television show. She’s toured with American Idol winner Kris Allen, opened for Kool and the Gang, and was a featured artist at the Apollo Theater. In her career in Christian Music, Jen has shared the stage with world-renowned worship leaders (Kari Jobe, Paul Baloche, Leeland, etc.) amongst performing and speaking engagements at churches and music festivals.
When she isn’t performing as a solo artist, you can find Jen leading worship at her church in Medford, MA or upcycling clothes with her brand Wünder Brand Boston.
Keep up with Jen on Instagram at @jenaldanamusic and find her music online anywhere you find music.
Jen Aldana
Curtis Killian
Curtis is a multi-instrumentalist, teacher, songwriter and audio engineer/producer. He currently serves as lead guitarist in the 15-piece classic rock tribute band the Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra as well as in his own group Killian Whall as songwriter/producer/singer. He was a member of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band drumline, playing vibraphone, guitar and more as well as in the UMass pep band. He has been performing in bands since he was 12, and has over 25 years experience performing and recording rock, pop, R&B/soul, country, hip hop and funk styles.
Curtis has led music classes in preschools and daycares for the past 5 years, leads “Building the Band” specialty summer camp at Beaver Country Day School, and teaches private guitar and ukulele lessons. A patient and intuitive teacher, Curtis loves teaching students of all ages, inspiring beginners to follow their passion for music.
When not playing music, Curtis is an avid cook, nutrition and fitness enthusiast, loves nature and animals, and also works as a videographer and photographer.
Curtis’s instruments: Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Bass.
Sara Wheeler
Sara Wheeler has a music degree from Berklee College of Music. She has worked with children for over 15 years. Sara started working with children in Michigan with the Birmingham Autistic Music program. She has taught music in Japan in Kamakura and in Boston at the Cambridge Montessori School and the Newman School. Sara studied music at Berklee College of Music in Boston with her focus being songwriting and music education. She has produced and recorded five original adult contemporary folk/pop CD's and has toured all over the world playing music at festivals and schools. Sara has lived in Boston, Japan and Switzerland. Awards - Parents Choice Award for her CD Building Blocks, Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Teacher Partner 2005, NACA College Coffeehouse Performer of the Year Finalist 2000, Boston Music Award Nomination for Best Folk Rock Band 1999, Acoustic Underground Finalist 1995, Berklee College of Music Scholarship 1987 - 1991
Sara's Instruments - Trumpet, Guitar, Percussion, Voice and Piano.
Becca Cabagbag
Becca Cabagbag is a singer-songwriter and a current student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Her love for music started at the age of four and has only grown much stronger since then. Outside of school, Becca occasionally gigs for live music at restaurants, with Pop and R&B being her favorite genres to perform. She is also an assistant vocal coach for the performing arts studio “Stage Presence,” based in her hometown of San Jose, California. Becca’s hope is to inspire young people to see the value in the arts and to encourage them to be immensely expressive in ways we may not have previously known is possible. She looks forward to sharing her love for music with the world!
Becca's instruments include piano, voice, drums and guitar
Samantha Young
Samantha Young is a singer-songwriter, performing original music up and down the east coast. With over 10+ years of guitar playing and extensive experience with child care & teaching, Samantha is excited to share her skills with Little Groove. She recently returned to Massachusetts after living in DC for over 6 years. When she isn't working with Little Groove, Samantha spends her time as a full time Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Newburyport.
Samantha's Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Omnichord
Skuli Thorsteinsson
"Skuli Thorsteinsson started music early with the violin at age 3, and picked up the guitar at age 13. Since moving to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music, he has been performing all around the Northeastern US with his band Congress as well as with the Beantown Swing Orchestra in addition to giving private guitar lessons. Skuli is excited to introduce kids to the joy of music at Little Groove, much like he was introduced to it at such a young age, and help them grow and develop through music."
Skuli's Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Violin
Mariana Iranzi
Mariana Iranzi is a professional bassist, composer, teacher and mom based in NYC. Originally from Buenos Aires, she graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2005, where she was honored with a best achievement scholarship and a Bachelor's Degree in professional music (education & performance). She has been involved in multiple professional projects for the past 20+ years, collaborating with musicians and audio engineers from a variety of styles including Rock, Folk, Jazz, Reggae, Blues and Latin rhythms.
Her well-received releases “Primavera,” “Aventura Collage,” and “Hola Hello” took her to perform at Austin City Limits, Brooklyn’s KindieFest and renowned Regatta Bar in Cambridge, MA. With regular appearances at public libraries and children’s museums all around New England, Washington, DC and the Tri-State area of NY/NJ/CT, Mariana has shown to be an expert in the bilingual family music world.
Currently the lower school world music teacher at the Calhoun School in Manhattan, Mariana also composes music for “Spanish For You”, plays the bass in two "grown-up" bands and performs regularly locally and abroad.
Mariana's instruments: Voice, Guitar, Bass
Krista Wheeler Chewter is a certified Yoga teacher, and is Little Groove's official kids Yoga expert!
She graduated from Michigan State and is an avid cycler, runner, and outdoor adventurer! She loves working with children and has taught Little Groove's Yoga class on Zoom since early 2020. She is a Michigan native and currently lives there.
Little Groove Yoga is a beginning Yoga class that will introduce children to some basic yoga poses in a super fun way! Children will engage in yoga games and learn animal yoga poses. In this playful yoga class children will learn about mindfulness and do breathing exercises which cultivate a calm mind, increase strength and flexibility, improve gross and fine motor skills and improve concentration. Children can do this on their own or with a caregiver. No equipment needed. Yoga mat recommended.
Krista Wheeler Chewter
Lindsay Garfield
Lindsay Garfield is a singer, songwriter, and musical educator from Boston, MA.
She has toured nationally and overseas with the country rock band Or, the Whale, and with her solo project Paige & The Thousand. She has performed live on Good Morning America and NPR Mountain Stage, as well as the historic Fillmore West Auditorium in San Francisco.
She has been a vocal coach and guardian/child music teacher for the past four years, and she is currently performing in a duo called Tiny Dogfight.
Lindsay's Instruments: Guitar, Vocalist
Adrian Emberley
Adrian Emberley is a touring artist, actress, director, composer, and writer.
She has shared her love of the arts with audiences of all ages for over 15 years.
and has performed all over the world. Adrian has beautiful vocals and a unique songwriting style.
Adrian is a natural with children and performing music. Her bubbly personality is contagious. Parents and children love working with her.
A graduate of Berklee School of Music, she brings her extensive training and experience in both music and children's entertainment to her Little Groove classes.
Adrian's Instruments: Guitar, Drums, Ukulele and Vocals.
Abby Hennigan
Abby Hennigan is a singer-songwriter, performer, and board-certified music therapist in the Greater Boston area.
Abby is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, majoring in music therapy with a minor in psychology. After completing her coursework, Abby completed her music therapy internship at an Early Intervention Center, working with babies and toddlers 0 to 3 years old with developmental delays.
Abby writes and record her own music and has original music released under the name “Abby Rose.” She performs regularly throughout New England at restaurants, venues, and private events.
Abby’s Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano
Josh Witt
Josh Witt is a singer, composer, arranger, and recent graduate of Berklee College of Music. Josh finds the most passion in singing vocal harmonies in the style of 1950s Doo Wop, which he showcases through his own Boston-based Doo Wop Acapella Group Josh & The Wittness. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Josh started taking piano lessons at age 8 and soon took his hometown by storm with a wily performance of Great Balls of Fire. It was this bluesy piano style that Josh would continue to develop, and by the time he discovered his favorite influences in groups like The Temptations, The Beach Boys, and The Four Seasons, that soulful grit and energetic spirit were engrained into his performance. Josh went to an Arts High School, and at Berklee through his degree in Vocal Performance he was able to study worldly musical influences that took him places such as Sevilla, Spain and Sardegna, Italy. Josh continues to perform around Boston, and loves using vocal harmony as a way to spontaneously connect with others.
Josh’s Instruments: Voice, Piano, Guitar, Kazoo
Colton Owsley
Colton Owsley is a multi instrumentalist, teacher, composer, and producer. He studied and completed two degrees at Berklee college of music with high honors. He spent time in Nashville working for Dolly Parton and protecting songwriters copyright in music Licensing at ASCAP. He started performing at age 13 and was a signed artist by 18. He has had placements in movies, composed and conducted orchestras, and produced records for international artists. One of his biggest accomplishments is being a big brother to his siblings that are 13 and 10 years younger: which taught him to connect with his inner child. “It is my goal to share my great love of music and allow children to experience the awe, mystery and wonder that music has for each and everyone of us.” Colton always brings energy, excitement and passion to his performances/teaching for children. He currently has a residency at the Boston Children's museum, performs events/birthdays, and teaches classes at Little Groove. When he is not teaching/performing, he is playing in his Bossa Nova band, Conquering long hikes abroad, and Rock Climbing.
Colton's Instruments: Drums, Voice, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Alto Sax, Piano
