Marianne Ryan founded Music Together of Dedham in September 2003. Shortly after moving into her new studio she expanded her business and Creative Adventures was born. Wonderful new adventures will be offered to include acting workshops, birthday parties, private instrument lessons and future yoga retreats created especially with families in mind.

Marianne is a Registered Music Together teacher and received her training from the Princeton Center for Music and Young Children. For the past 4 years she has taught Music Together with Urban Music Together in Jamaica Plain, Cambridge School of Music, Metro Music Together and currently teaches for Hill House Community Center.

Marianne attended the High School of Performing Arts in Philadelphia and a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. A professional actor, singer and proud member of the actor’s unions; Screen Actors Guild, Aftra and Actor’s Equity Association since 1990. Her work has included musical theatre, regional theatre, film/TV, and voice overs.

Music, dance and theatre have been a part of Marianne's life as far back as she can remember. She is thrilled to be combining her love of music with her love and respect for children.

Jennie Mayer - Musical Theatre

Jennie Mayer has had the pleasure of working with children in some form or another for the past nine years, including co-directing theatre workshops for elementary schools and teaching Sunday School to kids pre-K through grade eight. Jennie graduated suma cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.A. in Communication. She has extensive threatre experience, both on and off stage, and is excited to be a part of the Pocket Full of Tales family.

Suzuki Piano and Violin lessons - Taught by Leila Hepp

Originally from Western Massachusetts, Leila grew up studying the piano from a young age. She attended Asbury College in Kentucky for her undergraduate degree in music. While at Asbury Leila also played viola in the orchestra, as well as accompanying a variety of ensembles and solo performances. After graduating, she spent a semester abroad in Finland to learn more about her cultural heritage. Upon returning to the states she completed her Masters in Piano Performance at Virginia Commonwealth University while teachng piano in both private and group settings. Leila trained as a Suzuki piano instructor and has attended two Suzuki seminars before re-locating to China for a year abroad teaching music to grades 1-5 at a private school in Shanghai. Leila currently lives in Boston, and teaches both privately and at the CMCJP.

Introduction to the Meisner Technique
Date - to be rescheduled
Time: 6:30 - 9:30

Lyralen Kaye (AFTRA, SAG) who has been teaching since 1986, trained in the Meisner Technique with Fred Kareman—one of Meisner’s original students—at Carnegie Hall while pursuing her MFA in Theater at Sarah Lawrence College . For the last five years, she has been teaching Meisner in Boston, developing ensembles based on the Meisner aesthetic, producing SLAMBoston at Another Country Productions (and with Company One) and coaching in television and film. Her students have been cast in Dan in Real Life, Gone Baby Gone, Chatham, 27 Dresses, the Brotherhood, Blackjack 21, as well as independent films, commercials and shows at the Lyric Stage, Stoneham Theatre, New Rep, Zeitgeist, and Boston Theatre Works among others.

Jafar Manselle has been performing and working with children of all ages in Boston and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. Jafar started his life as a  percussionist with trap drumming for jazz ensembles and reggae bands. He began studying African music as a dancer and then moved to playing djembe drum. He has worked with several New England African Dance Companies over the years. He has performed in  festivals throughout the Northeast and in 2008 appeared in a segment of the WGBH children's television series “ Curious George”.

Courtney Koumjian is mom to four children and she graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1984 with a BS degree in Community Services. Courtney studied American Sign Language while at university and has also been taking ASL classes at the Learning Center for the Deaf (TLC) in Framingham, MA since 2005.

"Teaching children's sign language is something I completely believe in and love doing. I'm excited that other families will be able to benefit from learning ASL - just as our family has benefited. The older children in the classes that I taught are still talking about what they've learned, and it's made them hungry for more. For babies and toddlers, to be able to communicate earlier than they would with speech is a parent's dream. I enjoy working with families and am extremely proud of what I am able to offer." -- Courtney Koumjian

Ariana Balayan - Dramacise