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 was later 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 renowned 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 playing guitar as a member of the children's music group, Sara Wheeler's "Little Groove" band.
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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.
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As a solo singer and songwriter, Tommy has released 3 CDs 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, Drums
Grace Jenkins
Grace is a singer/songwriter with a performing background and more than ten years of experience working with children. Growing up in a very musical home, Grace started playing piano by age 5.
She picked up guitar and ukulele in her teens and started writing her own songs, performing locally at open mics with her sister. Grace also enjoyed singing and performing in musical theater productions.
As a nanny for the last ten years, Grace has extensive experience working with small children and infants. She attended Little Groove class for five years prior to joining the Little Groove team. Now on the other side of the classroom, she loves seeing the joy and delight the children get from engaging with music.
Grace's Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano
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.
Sara's 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, Piano
Jesse Weiss
Jesse Weiss is a versatile musician and passionate educator with a deep-rooted love for music. A talented multi-instrumentalist, Jesse excels in drums, guitar, and voice. He honed his craft at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Professional Music. Over the past 8 years, Jesse has dedicated himself to nurturing young musicians as a music teacher and bandleader, sharing his expertise and enthusiasm with students of all ages.
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Jesse's musical journey began behind the drum kit. Before stepping into the world of teaching, he spent years on the road as a touring and session musician, playing with notable bands such as Pet Fox and Palehound. His career has seen him share the stage with acclaimed artists like Big Thief, Courtney Barnett, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Explosions in the Sky, Alvvays, and Alex G.
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Known for his infectious energy and passion, Jesse brings a positive vibe and an engaging presence to every classroom and stage. His goal is to not only instill a love for music in his students but also to create a warm, welcoming environment where learning is enjoyable and accessible. With Jesse, music becomes more than just notes and rhythms; it’s a joyful journey of discovery and expression.
Jesse’s instruments: Drums, Guitar, Voice
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, and 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
Addison Chase
Growing up in rural New Hampshire, Addison got his start playing local open mic nights in more populated areas like Concord and Manchester. Gaining confidence in his abilities, Addison quickly began to pack the bars wall-to-wall for his own shows in his home town of Hopkinton, NH.
Addison soon began taking his act further and started recording and playing local clubs in Boston, MA. Quickly after moving to Boston, Addison started a band, began touring nationally, and opening for some big acts like Dr. John, Quiet Riot, and Foghat, to name a few.
Addison has released multiple albums under his own name, as well as with his band “Dressed for the Occasion” and continues to be a staple in the New England local music scene.
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Addison's Instruments: Guitar, Voice
Dylan Travers
Dylan is a musician and performer, with over ten years of experience working with children. Starting with guitar as a child, music has always been a point of identity and inspiration for him. It was children's entertainers like Raffi and Fred Penner that inspired him to first pick up the guitar!
Dylan has experience working with children in daycares and as a nanny. Now with Little Groove, he can apply his knowledge of what a caretaker is expecting when they bring a child to a class or show, and can tailor his class accordingly.
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Dylan is also an actor, and has appeared in several Movies and TV shows that have recently shot in Boston. When not playing on the Little Groove stage, he regularly plays gigs around Boston.
Dylan's Instrument: Guitar
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, Voice
Samantha Tye
Samantha Tye 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.
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Samantha's Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Omnichord
Emma Krause
Emma Krause is a classically trained flutist pursuing her Master’s degree in flute performance from New England Conservatory. Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Emma received her undergraduate degree in flute performance from Northwestern University.
During her time at Northwestern, Emma spent her mornings teaching early childhood music around the northern Chicago suburbs in preschools and private classes through Jamberry Music. Emma is absolutely thrilled to be joining the Little Groove team to continue teaching early childhood music! As someone who loved music classes as a child, she cannot wait to bring that same musical joy to the little ones in her classes.
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When not teaching with Little Groove, Emma can be found practicing, performing, and teaching flute, as well as baking bread.
Emma's Instruments: Flute, Guitar, Voice
Sophia Griswold
Sophia Griswold is a trombonist, vocalist, teacher, and theatrical performer. Her experience as a professional musician includes performing in the official band of the World Expo in Dubai: Expo 2020 Dubai. There, she opened for various artists such as Christina Aguilera, Norah Jones, Jason Derulo, Marshmello, Davido, Yo-Yo Ma, and more. She has additionally performed at venues such as the Newport Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center, as well as performed alongside Grammy Award-winners including Joey Fatone (NYSYNC), AJ McClean (Backstreet Boys), Delfeayo Marsalis and Old Crow Medicine Show. Currently, she is a student at Berklee College of Music.
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As a professional performer, Sophia has experience with children’s performing as well. Having worked as a theme park musician, teacher, and parade performer, Sophia knows how to spark excitement and put smiles on faces. When teaching, Sophia blends her musical and theatrical background, allowing her to improvise and keep the kids on their heads, shoulders, knees, and toes!
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​Sophia's Instruments: Voice, Trombone, Guitar
Taylor Hurd
Taylor Hurd is a singer-songwriter originally from Western, New York. She studies songwriting as a vocal principal at Berklee College of Music. Taylor has been working with kids for years as a camp counselor, a nanny and at a children’s theatre.
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As a singer-songwriter, Taylor is currently working on releasing her debut studio album. She has played shows all over the upper East Coast, including festivals and opening shows for acts such as Counting Crows and Santana.
Taylor's Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Ukulele
Dennis Van Der Sanden
Dennis is a guitarist, performer, and producer who started playing music from a young age. In addition to performing and composing music, one of his biggest passions is teaching music to other people. With a large variety of students and audiences over the years, Dennis always tries to find ways to connect with whoever he is teaching.
Dennis believes that music has the power to connect people from all corners of the world. Therefore, it is important to get exposure to music from an early age. In his own words: "It is a privilege for us to play an important part in the development of children."
Dennis' Instruments: Guitar, Voice, Piano
Alex Tagliani
Alex Tagliani is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and music producer currently attending UMass Lowell for Sound Recording Technology with a voice focus.
Alex first started playing piano at the age of five, and has since taught himself guitar, bass, and drums. Over the years, Alex has been involved with musical theater productions, taught music lessons, and played with different local bands around the North Shore and Boston area.
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Alex now writes and records music with his current band, as the lead vocalist and guitarist.
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Alex’s Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums
Cordelia Redmond
Cordelia Fox is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer based in Boston, MA. She’s been singing for 15 years and playing guitar for 5. She is trained in many styles of music, including jazz, classical, musical theater, and pop. Cordelia is passionate about music education and childcare, and has experience nannying, giving private lessons and directing musicals for children of all ages. She loves connecting with children through the power of music, and believes that everyone deserves to dance a little bit every day.
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Inspired by both the soul of 20th century music and the electronic sounds of the present day, she explores genres like RnB, Jazz, Neo-soul, and folk to create a unique sound that is driven by storytelling, human experience, and connection. She is currently studying recording and production at Berklee College of Music. She writes and performs her original music around Boston with a band of her closest friends.
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Cordelia’s Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Percussion, Bass
Kenneth Kuan
Kenneth Kuan is a singer/songwriter who’s currently attending Berklee College of Music. After picking up guitar at age 16, he has become a part of the underground music scene of his hometown of New York and in Boston.
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When Kenneth is not recording, writing and playing guitar for his multiple bands, he’s making educational videos dissecting the guitar parts in popular songs. As someone who started music late in his life he wants to inspire others to pick up their desired instrument and play.
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After being influenced by his high school digital music production teacher, Kenneth hopes to teach music to children and continue motivating people to get into music.
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Kenneth’s Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Voice
Olivia Rich
Olivia is a singer who holds a B.M. and M.M. in Vocal Performance from University of Rhode Island and University of Miami, respectively.
Passionate about providing quality arts education, her first experiences working with children were with Arts Ignite and South Kingstown CARES when she was at URI. Knowing she wanted to continue working with little ones during her graduate studies, she taught various private lessons and group classes through the University of Miami Frost Preparatory Program, The Donna E. Shalala Music Reach Program, and at The Mandelstam School, as well as nannying.
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She currently teaches voice lessons in both RI and in MA, specializing in classical and musical theater, and is the Musical Movement Teacher for the Handel & Haydn Society Youth Choruses.
In addition to teaching she is an avid performer, dancer, and actor.
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Olivia's instruments: Voice, Ukulele, Guitar, Piano
Amanda Thonn
Amanda Thonn has been studying music her whole life. Her passion showed at an early age and it was clear that it would be the forefront of her life and career.
Amanda is a multi-instrumentalist focusing on violin/fiddle, voice, guitar, ukulele, piano and theory. She has been teaching for over 13 years and has experience working with students of all ages and abilities. She teaches all genres and styles of music from classical, rock, pop, jazz, old time and anything in between.
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Not only is Amanda an intuitive teacher, she is also a heartfelt performer. You can find her performing throughout the area in various groups. Having played in anything from music festivals to weddings, she uses her live performance experience to help her students prepare for being in bands and further their education.
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Amanda's Instruments: Violin, Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, and Piano
Jenny Chu
Jenny Chu is a singer-songwriter, arranger, and music director in the Boston Area. She writes and performs her songs under the artist name JC Alula. She grew up studying violin from the age of 6 and attended orchestras from the age of 9. Her experience learning classical violin and her exposure to the music world led her to discover her interest in singing.
Despite her previous studies and experience in business, Jenny’s love for music led her to study music abroad and later graduate from Berklee College of Music. She was a scholarship student majoring in Performance and Contemporary Writing and Production. During her time at Berklee, Jenny explored and expanded her musical horizons leading her to delve into different genres, including pop, jazz, musical theater, rock, soul, Latin music, and R&B.
Jenny believes that “Music is a language to connect souls” and her journey in music can bring joy and happiness to people of all ages.
Jenny’s Instruments: voice, violin, guitar, and piano
Jen Aldana
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 teaching private lessons, at after school programming, and 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.) at churches and music festivals.
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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.
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Keep up with Jen on Instagram at @jenaldanamusic and find her music online anywhere you find music.
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Jen's Instruments: Voice
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.
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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 is an expert in the bilingual family music world.
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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.
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Mariana's Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Bass