Meet our Instructors
MELANIE DOANE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In the midst of a long career in the music industry that includes a Juno award, top 40 singles, tours throughout North America, a stint on Broadway and a feature role in the Toronto production of War Horse – Melanie Doane has added another dimension to her music career. She founded Doane Music School – a classroom teaching initiative to carry on the work of her father, celebrated music educator and Order of Canada recipient J. Chalmers Doane – so that her children and their peers could enjoy the same enriching music experience she had growing up in Halifax.
CHERYL REID, BMusED, SUPERVISING INSTRUCTOR
A TDSB music specialist, professional percussionist and drummer, Cheryl Reid has toured the world with Ember Swift and performs with Jennifer Foster and Arlene Bishop. Cheryl learned ukulele along with Melanie Doane in the original Chalmers Doane Program in Halifax and was part of the top group that toured the country, appeared on television and played for dignitaries from Princess Diana to Danny Kaye. As a Doane Music School Instructor, Cheryl is pleased to be teaching ukulele to the next generation.
JENNIFER FOSTER, SUPERVISING INSTRUCTOR
On top of releasing several solo albums, Jennifer Foster has leant her musical know-how to many on the Canadian music scene, including: The Pursuit of Happiness, the Rheostatics, Kevin Hearn, Melanie Doane, as well as The Echo Women’s Choir. Jennifer has played and arranged songs for the ukulele since her childhood when she took part in the Chalmers Doane Program at her New Brunswick school, and later met Melanie Doane when both girls were camp counselors at Ukulele Camp. She is proud to carry on the tradition as a Doane Music School Instructor
CARA HUNTER, INSTRUCTOR
A Toronto-based actor and singer, Cara Hunter has performed across North America in productions such as: War Horse, Les Miserables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Elf, Little Shop of Horrors and in the title role in an all-female Richard III. Cara recently re-ignited her passion for the ukulele, which began when she was a Grade 4 student in Vancouver in the Chalmers Doane Program, and relishes every opportunity to play and sing with her Doane Music School students and with her two sons.
JAMIE MARTINEZ, INSTRUCTOR
Growing up in Halifax in a large family where music was a top priority, Jamie Martinez learned to sing, harmonize and play the clarinet. She also had the privilege to learn the ukulele and was a member of J. Chalmers Doane’s top ukulele group that toured Canada and made studio records, along with friends Melanie Doane and Cheryl Reid. She also was a member of Halifax City Choirs, The Chebucto Singers and The Chebuctones. Now living in Toronto, Jamie is honoured to be a Doane Music School Instructor.
LISA OLAFSON, INSTRUCTOR
Thanks to her music-rich Alberta background, Lisa Olafson learned the ukulele and flute and sang in the choir before switching to acting, receiving professional training at Studio 58 in Vancouver. Lisa has toured internationally with the renowned mask and mime Theatre Beyond Words, written and toured her solo clown show and currently performs with the bluegrass trio, Dirty Dishes. She loves teaching music and is thrilled to share the happiest instrument – the ukulele – as a Doane Music School instructor.
LINDA MARUTA KRONBERGS, INSTRUCTOR
A singer, multi-instrumentalist, vocal coach, music director, actress and realtor, Linda has never been happier than when playing the ukulele. Linda toured Canada extensively with Thomas Trio & The Red Albino, Melanie Doane, Universal Honey, and in support of her debut solo CD ‘Buttercup’. She has received the highest civilian order: ‘Order of the Three Stars’ for 30 years of performances in the iconic Latvian pop group ‘Čikāgas Piecīši’. She is currently putting her Orff Specialist and ECME diplomas to good use at Latvian Saturday School and at Doane Music School.
ANDREA WHITEACRE, M.Ed, INSTRUCTOR
From an early age, Andrea has loved creating and performing music, first singing, then as a singer-songwriter accompanying herself on guitar. She attended York University’s Fine Arts program in Music as a jazz vocalist before moving on to studies in philosophy and education. Andrea gained a wealth of experience in her 30-year career as a classroom teacher in York Region and with the TDSB. For the past six years she has been a member of the popular Toronto-based cover band ‘Big Night Out!’. Andrea instantly fell in love with the joy and versatility of the ukulele and is excited to bring her enthusiasm for music education and performance to her Doane Music School students.
TRISH O’REILLY-BRENNAN, INSTRUCTOR
A classically-trained opera singer, actor and music theatre performer, Trish O’Reilly-Brennan has graced the stage in concert, as a soloist, and a performer in a variety of musical productions and festivals, including: My Fair Lady, Beggar’s Opera, The Magic Flute and The Ontario Renaissance Festival. Trish applies her many talents to teaching ukulele to young Doane Music School musicians and to adult groups in Toronto.