Our Teachers
Emily Martin
Music Teacher & Founder
From the colourful city of St. John’s, Newfoundland, singer/songwriter and music teacher Emily Martin has been on the stage for as long as she can remember. With vocal and RCM training since the age of five, her genuine dedication and passion for music has helped her earn numerous awards and opportunities throughout her years of training. At the age of 13, Emily won first place in all of Newfoundland for an RCM Vocal Exam. Emily has since graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, where respected professors Ken Livingstone and Todd Hennessy presented her as the proud recipient of the Andre Noble Scholarship.
As a private voice, piano, guitar, and ukulele instructor for close to ten years, Emily has had the privilege of teaching in numerous music studios in Toronto (Michael Johnston Music Studio/Bloor West Music/Red House Music Academy) and Newfoundland, where she has since proudly opened her own Music School “Shine” (which was actually her nickname growing up). Emily welcomes all ages and abilities into her studio including, but not limited to, people diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and OCD.
For the past five years Emily has taken on the role of lead facilitator of the Creative Expressions Music Program at Easter Seals and has currently begun teaching group music classes at live-in residences for people with disabilities, such as Andrews Place.
Releasing her first album at the age of 12, and then another at the age of 26, Emily has toured and recorded all types of tracks for herself, her students, and other artists. Emily strives to be a constant teacher, role model, and safe space for her students. Her studio is a place where she encourages an open mind and celebrates each and every student for exactly who they are.
Christina Acton
Music Teacher & Administrator
Christina Acton (they/them) graduated with a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador in May (2024), and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Mount Allison University in 2022. In their final year at Mount Allison, Christina was the ArtsNB Arts Matters Undergraduate Conference winner for Best Research Presentation, 2022, for their research on transgender inclusive vocal pedagogy.
On top of teaching at Shine, Christina is currently the Operations Manager and Secretary for the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, the Artistic Director of Solara Youth Voices, the Office Administrator and a Choral Scholar at the Cowan Heights United Church, the Secretary for Shakespeare by the Sea, a board member for the Pourquoi-Pas? Players, and a volunteer with the Courtney Fowler Performance Academy.
Christina specializes in choral conducting/teaching, and teaches voice at any level, beginner to intermediate ukulele and guitar, and beginner piano and drums.
Genevieve Cunningham
Music Teacher
Genevieve Cunningham (she/her), originally from Nova Scotia, is currently in her second year of pursuing a masters in music performance/pedagogy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance from MUN with Honours and is classically trained in opera singing.
Genevieve is also RCM Certified in both voice and piano. She has a diverse background in various different styles of music including musical theatre, pop, and celtic music. She has played several notable roles during her career, such as that of Prince Charming in MUN Opera Workshop’s Cinderella production, which toured with Opera Roadshow across Newfoundland and Labrador. Her extensive experience in musical theatre includes her portrayal of characters such as “Marian” in The Music Man, “Annie” in Annie, “Tzeitel” in Fiddler on the Roof, and many more.
Genevieve’s vast choral involvement includes participation in MUN Chamber and Festival choirs, as well as the Nova Scotia Youth Choir, Xara Choral Theatre, Soundtrax, and many others.
Genevieve is a bilingual artist in French and English, proficient in both languages since childhood. She enjoys writing her own music for voice and piano, and is very passionate about allowing students to explore and express their own musicality.
During her leisure time, she enjoys drawing, painting, experimenting with intricate makeup looks, and playing with her cat Butterscotch. With Genevieve as their teacher, students can expect to learn in a supportive and enriching environment led by a dedicated musician who is passionate about nurturing the next generation of musical talent.
Nicholas Leblanc
Music Teacher
Nick Leblanc (he/him) is currently in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Music degree, pursuing Voice Performance as a major under Dr. Caroline Schiller. Upon completion of his Bachelor’s Degree, Nick plans on applying for a joint Masters in Choral Conducting and Voice Performance and continuing the work that he loves to do!
From a young age Nick exhibited a passion for music, starting piano lessons at the age of 4. All throughout his youth, he sang in choirs including the Halifax Boys Honour Choir, Soundtrax and Jazz Voices. At the same time, Nick played percussion in the Halifax Regional Arts Wind Ensemble and the Halifax Regional Arts Symphony Orchestra, as well as serving as the percussion Section Lead in the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. In addition, Nick has played a variety of roles in musicals and opera: some of these include Fat Sam (Bugsy Malone), Feldzieg (The Drowsy Chaperone), King Herod (Jesus Christ Superstar) and Alidoro in Memorial University’s production of La Cinderella.
Nick has spent much of his adult life teaching and leading children, both in and outside a musical environment. He worked as a staff member at the Adventure Earth Centre leading both day camps and overnight camps. At the Junior Choir Camp in Berwick, NS, Nick provides musical support for kids over a week of choral rehearsals and activities. This past summer, Nick worked as a Co-Director and Musical Coordinator for the Prospect Bay Children’s Centre’s production of Oliver!
Nick is so excited to be a part of the amazing staff at Shine! With expertise in piano, guitar, ukulele and voice, he is equipped to share his knowledge in a wide number of musical areas. Nick can’t wait to meet new students, and encourage their musical expression to their fullest capacity!
Keira Davis
Music Teacher
Keira Davis (She/her) is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Music Degree studying Voice. She is currently studying with Dr. Caroline Schiller, and had been previously studying with Dr. Betty Allison at Dalhousie University. Keira has experience in many different styles of voice performance. She started performing in musicals and operas from a young age. She has performed roles such as Willy (Street Scene) with the Halifax Summer Opera Festival, Mary Poppins ( Mary Poppins Musical) with the Broadway Company Players, and Golden (The Cunning Little Vixen) with Dalhousie Opera.
Keira also has an array of choral experience. She has sung in choirs such as the Halifax Girls and Youth Honour choir, Soundtrax, and the Dal Chorus.
Keira has been working with children in music since she was in highschool. She has multiple years of experience mentoring students with the Halifax Broadway Company players. She also has worked as a counsellor for the Junior Choir Camp in Berwick, NS.
Keira is passionate about guiding everyone to find their voices through music. She is excited to meet new students and sing and learn together!
Grace MacDonald
Music Teacher & Music Therapist
Grace MacDonald (she/her), MMT, B.Mus (Honours) is a Performer, Music Teacher, and soon-to-be Music Therapist from St.John’s, Newfoundland. Grace just completed the Master of Music Therapy Program at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. She also has a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Voice from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Grace studied voice with Ronalda Hutton MacDonald for over 10 years. At MUN School of Music, she was taught classical voice by Dr.Jane Leibel for 4 years, and also worked with professors Shelley Neville and Dr. Caroline Schiller. Grace has won many local, provincial and national awards for her singing. She competed in the Kiwanis Music Festival for over a decade. She was a finalist for the Jr. Vocal Rose Bowl in 2017, and in 2021, Grace placed 2nd Place in FCMF National Music Festival in the Musical Theatre Category.
Grace is currently working towards becoming a board-certified music therapist. Grace completed a music therapy internship in the Summer of 2023 at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre. At the Janeway, Grace worked around the hospital in Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health and Psychiatry, Medicine and Surgery, Pediatric Intensive Care, Child Development (children and youth with physical, developmental and learning challenges, such as ASD, ADHD, OCD, etc), and Child Rehabilitation (individuals under the age of 18 with complex conditions that create a significant level of physical impairment). In the Fall of 2023 and the Winter of 2024, Grace was a music therapy intern at Grand River Hospital for Child, Adolescent, and Adult Inpatient Mental Health. She just concluded her final internship in Long Term Care at Trinity Village in Kitchener, in which she worked with residents with various forms of Dementia and other special needs. Grace is passionate about Queer Theory in music therapy. In the near future, she plans to publish her major research paper, which focuses on tailored music therapy services for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse clientele with eating disorders.
Grace has an eclectic approach to her music therapy work, which intersects with a humanistic, resource-oriented/strengths-based approach. She aligns with the Nordoff-Robbins Model of Music Therapy, in that everyone has an innate responsiveness and connection to music. “The Music Child” is in everyone, regardless of age, background, level of musical experience, etc.
Grace has been performing in community musical theatre and operatic productions over the past 20 years, and has had many lead and chorus roles. Some of her favourite role credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Laurier Musical Theatre), Miss Darbus in High School Musical (Laurier Musical Theatre), Clara in Scrooge (Peter MacDonald Productions), Crystal in Santa’s Place (Peter MacDonald Productions), and Grace/Dot in Honk! (Best Kind Productions).
Grace strives to create a warm, welcoming, and kind environment for her students and clients that encourages them to be their authentic selves. She believes that music is for everyone and strives to create tailored musical experiences and sessions that align with each student and clients’ individual needs. At the moment, Grace will only be offering music lessons to students but hopes to be able to offer music therapy in the near future upon finishing her training and certification with the CBMT (Certification Board of Music Therapists).
Cassie Farrel
Music Teacher
Cassie Farrell is a Memorial University Bachelor of Music 4th year voice major who is also on path to complete a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She is a music educator who is enthusiastic about music, performance, and pedagogy with over 5 years experience in teaching private lessons, group classes, rock bands, and summer music camps.
Cassie has 12+ years of experience performing as a member of various chamber choirs, acquiring vocal training with acclaimed choral conductors both nationally and internationally in concerts, festivals, competitions, and workshops focusing on clinical approaches used in teaching voice. She has also explored music as a solo artist performing on stage at the NL Folk Festival, Young Folk at the Hall, City of St. John’s Harborside Performances, and more. Cassie’s achievements have included an International Chamber Choral award at the Festa Musical in Prague, a Senior Solo Choral Award, and Kiwanis Music Festival awards to include both solo and a Chamber Rose Bowl. She is currently singing with Memorial University’s Festival and Chamber Choir.
Cassie was once herself a private music student studying voice, guitar, ukulele, piano, and rock band. She is currently offering lessons for voice, piano, ukulele, as well as beginner guitar and drums. It is with lived experience along with her extensive training that empowers her to provide quality music education. Cassie is excited about passing on her knowledge and is looking forward to helping students achieve their musical goals – whatever they may be!
Mahina Graham-Laidlaw
Music Teacher
Mahina (She/They) is a musician currently residing in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She completed a Bachelor of Music with a focus in viola from Memorial University in 2021 and a Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology in 2024.
Originally from Calgary, Mahina moved to St. John’s in 2016 and has found a home within the vibrant St. John’s music scene. Mahina has performed with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra since 2017 and freelanced with Kittiwake Dance Company and Untellable Movement Theatre.
As a teacher, Mahina prioritizes mind, body, and instrument connection. She strives to transform her experiences as a young musician in a rigorous conservatory system to create a healthy relationships between instrument and self.
In her spare time Mahina explores improvisational music, pushing the boundaries of herself and her instrument. Beyond her musical endeavors, Mahina is a dedicated community volunteer, working for various local and provincial arts events. She also serves on the boards of the AFM Local 820 musicians union.
Elizabeth Blake
Music Teacher
Elizabeth Blake (she/her), originally from Labrador, is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. As an Inuk woman she aspires to enter the field of Clinical Psychology to promote awareness and inclusivity in the provision of mental health services for under-represented groups. Elizabeth is bilingual in both English and French and is dedicated to advocating for linguistic inclusivity and security in our everyday environments and spaces. As such, she is more than happy to teach and converse in either language and accommodate any needs – big or small!
Elizabeth’s love for music began at age three, and despite opting to pursue studies in another field, she has maintained both her education and passion for music, earning RCM certifications in Piano, Voice, and Music Theory. She enjoys various music styles in both voice and piano with a particular fondness for singing Folk music and playing piano pieces from the Romantic era.
In line with her Psychology interests, Elizabeth is dedicated to creating safe spaces for self-expression for individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. This is seen in her experience teaching individuals with disabilities, hearing impairments, Autism, ADHD, Dementia, and more. Elizabeth’s studies have fueled her passion for promoting the positive impact of music in life and on the brain and body. Whether your goal is to improve memory and cognition, develop social/emotional intelligence, or foster self-esteem and mental well-being, Elizabeth believes that everyone can benefit from music!
Join Our Team!
At Shine Music, we’re always on the lookout for passionate music teachers to join our team. As our student waiting list grows, so does the need for talented musicians to help our students shine. Click the button below to submit your resume and become part of our community!