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

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

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. 

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Michelle's Instruments- Piano and Guitar

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. 

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.

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Samantha's Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Omnichord

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.

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

Lessie Tyson

Lessie is a Boston native who plays the guitar, bass, alto sax, drums, and piano as well as being an experienced vocalist, most recently singing in the Boston Cecilia Choir.

She has worked for Little Groove for over 4 years, teaching classes around Boston and working with the HOPE Music Group at Boston Children’s Hospital. She has extensive experience working with children from Kindergarten all the way to high school in the Boston Public Schools. She has experience teaching dance classes for toddlers as well, working with the Boston Ballet as well as Urbanity. Additionally, she previously worked for the Boston Children’s Museum for 5 years.

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When she’s not working for Little Groove, she is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Boston Landmarks Orchestra and is focusing on bringing more programming to students in the BPS community and the Greater Boston Community.

Lessie's Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Alto Saxophone, Drums, Piano, Vocalist

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 has shown to be 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

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.

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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.