Canadian Music Therapy Fund

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Team

With over twenty years of experience leading arts organizations in Toronto, including as Executive Director of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, I bring a depth of knowledge to the Canadian Music Therapy Fund. I’ve been privileged to work with talented teams at institutions like the Glenn Gould School, Art of Time Ensemble, Citadel et Compagnie, and Groundling Theatre. Growing up in a musical family and dedicating the majority of my professional life to music, I’m passionate about its impact on individuals and society at large. I feel fortunate to join CMTF at this pivotal moment!

Anna Kajtar

Executive Director

Aprajita is a certified music therapist and the manager for the Music Therapy Centre. In her journey as a music therapist, she has had the opportunity to work with children and older adults with varying goals, mental health needs, and cultural backgrounds. Her clinical work is rooted in a person-centred approach that involves the use of music to connect and support individuals with their holistic wellness goals. Her recent research initiatives have focused on building advocacy around the use of creative arts therapies for mental health in North America and India. Additionally, she is working towards incorporating Indian classical music in performative theory contexts to understand its impact on relaxation and emotional regulation within international audiences.

Aprajita Saxena,
MA, MTA, MT-BC

Certified Music Therapist & Manager of the MTC

Rea serves as the dedicated administrative manager for the Canadian Music Therapy Fund, ensuring smooth operations and effective communication within the team. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto, she possesses a deep understanding of human behavior and the therapeutic benefits of music. Drawing from her extensive experience, Rea actively engages in music therapy initiatives, collaborating with organizations such as the SMART Lab at Ryerson University and the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto. Beyond her administrative role, Rea is passionate about extending music therapy resources to those who need them most, ensuring accessibility and support for individuals seeking healing through music.

Rea Tsigas

Administrative Manager of the MTC & CMTF

Jessica is a Toronto based digital designer with a BFA in New Media and a minor in English, from Toronto Metropolitan University. As a designer, she’s created websites, managed social media accounts, assembled documents, and lots more for companies including PredictNow.ai, the Canadian Medical Equipment Protection Plan, Nova Mae Design Studio, QTS Management, and now the Canadian Music Therapy Fund!

A fun fact about Jessica is that she’s classically trained in piano and knows the lyrics to more abba songs than is good for anyone!

Jessica Watson

Digital Communications Manager

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Quentin Burgess is the Director of Industry and Member Relations at Music Canada, who represents Canada’s major record labels. In this role, he works closely with label staff and industry partners, and oversees the organization’s Gold/Platinum Certification Program, which recognizes and celebrates milestone sales of music in Canada. 

 

Quentin Burgess

Chair of the Board

Hannah You is a Certified Music Therapist working at a paediatric hospital in Toronto in the critical care units. She uses music therapy to support children and families in their toughest moments and provides opportunities to enhance meaningful moments. She also has specialized NICU training that allows her to be the first musical sounds that babies hear!

Hannah You,
MMT, MTA

Vice-Chair of the Board

Kelly Khalilieh, CPA, CA is the Treasurer of the Board.  She is a partner with a local accounting firm, and specializes in professional standards and quality management.  Her passion for giving back to her community, along with her love of music and appreciation for the powerful impact of music therapy, are what inspired her to become a member of the Board.  For fun, she loves water sports and hanging out with family, friends and her two fur babies.

Kelly Khalilieh,
CPA, CA

Treasurer of the Board

Natalie Pooran is the Chair of the Board. She works as a Sr. media executive. What she loves about Music Therapy is the connection a music therapist brings to the mind, body and spirit. A fun fact, you’ll likely hear her, before to see her as she has a boisterous laugh. 

Natalie Pooran

Past Chair

Emily is a Certified Music Therapist, fundraising professional, and full-spectrum doula. As former manager of the Music Therapy Centre, she’s thrilled to be returning to CMTF as a member of the Board, heading up the Music Therapy Centre committee. In her free time, you can find Emily baking, crafting, or running around (indoors or out!) with her daughter.

Andrew Cinerari

Board Director

Regan is a fundraising and partnerships professional who has a passion to support music and people in many ways. Through her work with MusiCounts as the Senior Manager of development and partnerships or as a board member for the Canadian Music Therapy Fund, she is always finding ways to make music more accessible for those who need it most.

Regan Harney

Board Director

Hillary Hui is a CMTF Board Director and Finance Committee Member. She brings diverse experience within the healthcare, medtech, and financial services sector, and currently works as a Finance Manager. What she loves about music therapy is how it can help a wide range of people, both young and old and in different life circumstances. A fun fact, she is classically trained in both piano and trumpet. 

Hillary Hui

Board Director

Wendes is a lawyer at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, with a focus on technology contracting, data protection, and privacy compliance, where she advises clients on navigating complex legal landscapes in the digital age.

Wendes is a member of the Governance & HR Talent Committee. She is passionate about the profound impact that music therapy can have on mental health and well-being. In her free time, Wendes loves reading, creative writing, and going for long hikes with her dog.

Wendes Keung

Board Director

Taylor Kurta is a music therapist and award-winning singer/songwriter. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Waterloo in Recreation and Leisure Studies, researching collaborative songwriting with people living with dementia to challenge stigma. What she loves most about being a music therapist is being able to shift cultures of care through the arts. 

Taylor Kurta,
BMT, MA, PhD Candidate

Board Director

Tyson Kuteyi is an award-winning Producer, Composer, Recording and Mixing Engineer at the center of the advertising, TV, film and music industries. His keen ability to connect with each project’s unique requirement, combined with his technical and musical knowledge has made him a top choice for the recording, production and mixing needs of brands and artists internationally.

Tyson Kuteyi

Board Director

Bio coming soon!

Gianluca Mazzanti

Board Director

Bio coming soon!

 

Donald MacGillivray

Board Director

Adrienne is new to the Board and a member of the Advocacy committee.  She works as a Certified Music Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist and clinical supervisor.  Adrienne is passionate about music therapy advocacy and is a past President of CAMT, co-founder and owner of Beyond the Studio, the Sing it Girls! program and co-host of The Canadian Music Therapy Podcast.  A fun fact about her is she is a proud Bluenoser (living in Ontario) and she travels down east when ever possible.

Adrienne Pringle,
MMT, RP, MTA

Board Director

Sonia Reynolds, MBA, is a member of the Board. She is a business strategist specializing in marketing, engagement and strategic planning. What she loves about music therapy is how transformational music therapists are in the lives of those who work with them. You can usually find her outdoors, golfing, kayaking or camping. 

Sonia Reynolds,
MBA

Board Director

Vivek Sarma is a Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), specializing in North American Banking, and Transformations and Turnarounds across multiple sectors. In addition, Vivek has taken on several firm leadership roles focused on people and career development. He currently leads DE&I (diversity, equity, and inclusion) for BCG in Canada, and is a CPA, CA.

Vivek is a member of the Finance Committee and comes to CMTF having seen the positive impact music therapy has had on his family growing up.

Vivek Sarma

Board Director

Bio coming soon!

 

Christina Shum

Board Director

Emily is a Certified Music Therapist, fundraising professional, and full-spectrum doula. As former manager of the Music Therapy Centre, she’s thrilled to be returning to CMTF as a member of the Board, heading up the Music Therapy Centre committee. In her free time, you can find Emily baking, crafting, or running around (indoors or out!) with her daughter.

Emily Stegweit,
MTA

Board Director