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Where children don't just learn music — they belong to it.
Suzuki violin, piano, cello, guitar and musical theatre in Halifax.
Our ACAC
Teachers
Who are we?
ACAC teachers are talented and enthusiastic to share their skills and knowledge with others. The ACAC is a vibrant and welcoming space that offers a wide range of classes, in movement, music, and art as well as workshops for the community from teachers with expertise and experience.
At the "Adult Community Art Center - Halifax" - ACAC, our class instructors are skilled and dedicated teachers in the Halifax Community.
Interested in joining the ACAC team?
Christy Hodder
ACAC Director
Christy has her Bachelor of Music Education from Acadia University where she studied violin from Edmund Agopian. Christy has received Suzuki training from Ronda Cole, Pat D’Ercole, Sherry Cadow, Dorthy Jones, Charles Krigbaum, and Martha Shackford. She is the Founder and Director of the Scotia Suzuki School of Music, the Nova Scotia Youth Ambassadors (performance group), and the Suzuki Practicing Academy.
With three recordings and 8 years as the lead in the Celtic conference band Lochaber, She is experienced in performing. Christy has built with a wonderful team of Suzuki instructors an incredible Suzuki community of high-level musicians and has brought music into families' homes and children's lives in Halifax....even extending from Bridgewater to Windsor and to New Glasgow.
Christy, also known as "the Practicing Pro", created the Suzuki Practicing Academy, a digital course, to help and support parents and teachers all over the world to have effective, positive and FUN home music practices!
Christy has her Bachelor of Music Education from Acadia University where she studied violin from Edmund Agopian. Christy has received Suzuki training from Ronda Cole, Pat D’Ercole, Sherry Cadow, Dorthy Jones, Charles Krigbaum, and Martha Shackford. She is the Founder and Director of the Scotia Suzuki School of Music, the Nova Scotia Youth Ambassadors (performance group), and the Suzuki Practicing Academy.
With three recordings and 8 years as the lead in the Celtic conference band Lochaber, She is experienced in performing. Christy has built with a wonderful team of Suzuki instructors an incredible Suzuki community of high-level musicians and has brought music into families' homes and children's lives in Halifax....even extending from Bridgewater to Windsor and to New Glasgow.
Christy, also known as "the Practicing Pro", created the Suzuki Practicing Academy, a digital course, to help and support parents and teachers all over the world to have effective, positive and FUN home music practices!
Alex Crick
ACAC Violin/Fiddle Instructor
Alex Crick is an accomplished music educator from England with a diverse background in international teaching and musical performance. He studied guitar and violin from a young age, and holds a degree in Music with a focus on composition from the University of Huddersfield in the UK. Alex's passion for teaching was ignited during his time in China, where he initially taught English and discovered a love for travel and education.
After becoming a certified International Baccalaureate (IB) Music teacher, Alex took charge of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) music curriculum at an international school in China. In this role, he not only taught band classes, inquiry and composition, but also organized and directed the school's concerts, including the highly anticipated annual winter concerts for parents and the local community.
Alex now calls Halifax his home and looks forward to bringing the joy of music making to as many people as possible
Alex Crick is an accomplished music educator from England with a diverse background in international teaching and musical performance. He studied guitar and violin from a young age, and holds a degree in Music with a focus on composition from the University of Huddersfield in the UK. Alex's passion for teaching was ignited during his time in China, where he initially taught English and discovered a love for travel and education.
After becoming a certified International Baccalaureate (IB) Music teacher, Alex took charge of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) music curriculum at an international school in China. In this role, he not only taught band classes, inquiry and composition, but also organized and directed the school's concerts, including the highly anticipated annual winter concerts for parents and the local community.
Alex now calls Halifax his home and looks forward to bringing the joy of music making to as many people as possible
Cathy Grad
ACAC Pilates/ Chair Yoga Instructor
Cathy Grad, currently living in Boutiliers Point, NS. She loves living near the ocean and the Rails to trails. She has been teaching yoga, pilates and fitness for over 20 years. She is also a certified personal trainer through Can-Fit-Pro and has certifications in Yin Yoga, Chair Yoga, iRest Yoga Nidra , and Sivananda Yoga to name a few. She is a certified Stott Pilates Instructor and Stott Special Populations Instructor. she had worked for Nubodys, GoodLife, O2 Wellness and currently teach classes for Chebucto Links, Bedford Northwood, Breathing Space Yoga StudioTantallon and Bright Breaks. She enjoys inspiring others to increase their fitness level and explore yoga, meditation and breathwork.
Cathy Grad, currently living in Boutiliers Point, NS. She loves living near the ocean and the Rails to trails. She has been teaching yoga, pilates and fitness for over 20 years. She is also a certified personal trainer through Can-Fit-Pro and has certifications in Yin Yoga, Chair Yoga, iRest Yoga Nidra , and Sivananda Yoga to name a few. She is a certified Stott Pilates Instructor and Stott Special Populations Instructor. she had worked for Nubodys, GoodLife, O2 Wellness and currently teach classes for Chebucto Links, Bedford Northwood, Breathing Space Yoga StudioTantallon and Bright Breaks. She enjoys inspiring others to increase their fitness level and explore yoga, meditation and breathwork.
Cole Richardson
ACAC Dance Instructor
Cole started ballroom dancing in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, during his final year of high school, and moving to Halifax to continue his development upon graduation. Training under two of Canada’s most experienced coaches, Jane Edgett and Barbara Child, Cole represented Nova Scotia in competitions across Canada before shifting his focus to spreading the joy of ballroom dancing to first-time and experienced dancers alike. Cole’s goal for you in his classes is to have fun – learning to dance is just an added bonus! With this in mind, Cole approaches each class with energy and enthusiasm, while also striving to create an inclusive environment so you can have the best ballroom experience possible.
Cole started ballroom dancing in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, during his final year of high school, and moving to Halifax to continue his development upon graduation. Training under two of Canada’s most experienced coaches, Jane Edgett and Barbara Child, Cole represented Nova Scotia in competitions across Canada before shifting his focus to spreading the joy of ballroom dancing to first-time and experienced dancers alike. Cole’s goal for you in his classes is to have fun – learning to dance is just an added bonus! With this in mind, Cole approaches each class with energy and enthusiasm, while also striving to create an inclusive environment so you can have the best ballroom experience possible.
Dr. Edward Enman
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Edward Enman is a pianist and composer whose music warmly embraces storytelling, multi-media, collaboration, and innovative performance experiences. His first three albums of original music "Breathe In, Breathe Out" (2022), "Insights" (2023), and "Silver Light: Fantasies on Poems by Sara Teasdale" (2024) have garnered him Classical Composer/Album of the Year nominations at the East Coast Music Awards and from Music Nova Scotia. In his music and performances, Edward draws from his classical background while embracing influences from the contemporary classical, pop, rock, indie, and experimental scenes. Dr. Enman is on faculty as an instructor and collaborative pianist at Acadia University, a vocal coach at the Fountain School of Performing Arts, and is the head piano teacher at the Scotia Suzuki School of Music. (edwardenman.com)
Elsa Allred
ACAC Yoga / Pilates / Fitness Dance Instructor
Elsa Allred is a certified Pilates, Barre, Restorative Yoga, and Dance instructor with over 10 years of teaching experience. With specialized training in working with injuries, seniors, and individuals with varying levels of physical ability she creates welcoming classes for all.
As a professional performing artist who has performed across four continents, Elsa brings a unique understanding of movement, body awareness, injury prevention, and physical wellbeing to every class. With an emphasis on mental wellbeing and moving with the purpose of finding joy in our lives, wether you are brand new to exercise or have years of experience, Elsa offers thoughtful classes and modifications so every participant can feel successful, safe, and empowered.
Elsa Allred is a certified Pilates, Barre, Restorative Yoga, and Dance instructor with over 10 years of teaching experience. With specialized training in working with injuries, seniors, and individuals with varying levels of physical ability she creates welcoming classes for all.
As a professional performing artist who has performed across four continents, Elsa brings a unique understanding of movement, body awareness, injury prevention, and physical wellbeing to every class. With an emphasis on mental wellbeing and moving with the purpose of finding joy in our lives, wether you are brand new to exercise or have years of experience, Elsa offers thoughtful classes and modifications so every participant can feel successful, safe, and empowered.
Evan Milligan
ACAC Piano
Evan Milligan brings a deep love of music and a thoughtful, intuitive approach to teaching piano, theory, composition, and drums. Growing up with strong roots in classical, popular, and jazz music, and a solid grounding in harmony, theory, and rhythm, Evan developed an unwavering passion for music and a fascination with learning everything he can about it—its inner workings, its connections to other art forms, and how to share that insight with others.
Evan completed three years of a Bachelor of Music degree at Mount Allison University, where he performed regularly, excelled in studio classes, and worked collaboratively as a vocal accompanist for performances and examinations. His studies spanned theory, composition, musicianship, history, collaborative piano, electronic music creation, and orchestration. He holds his Level 10 Piano (grade 90) and Level 8 Theory (grade 99) certifications from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English at Cape Breton University to further enrich his interdisciplinary understanding of music through coursework in playwriting, poetry, drama, and improvisation. Evan is currently completing his Suzuki teacher training.
A dedicated teacher and performer, Evan has taught RCM piano in a private studio in Sydney, N.S., preparing students for piano and theory examinations and the Kiwanis Festival of Music, and he designed and taught a Grade 11 Music Appreciation class at Munro Academy in North Sydney. He has also performed widely since 2018—on piano, drums, and bass—for church services, dinners, private concerts, festivals, and as a guest artist with ensembles. For four years, he portrayed a musician and dance master at the Fortress of Louisbourg, playing harpsichord, singing in choirs, and performing music for dances.
As a teacher, Evan deeply values patience and gentle guidance while helping each developing musician fully realize their potential. He has a natural intuition for how different students learn, and works with students of all ages and abilities to help them perform their best while staying personally motivated and inspired. Evan cares deeply about music and its power to strengthen community and uplift those around us, and he is thrilled to support Scotia Suzuki School of Music in that work.
Evan Milligan brings a deep love of music and a thoughtful, intuitive approach to teaching piano, theory, composition, and drums. Growing up with strong roots in classical, popular, and jazz music, and a solid grounding in harmony, theory, and rhythm, Evan developed an unwavering passion for music and a fascination with learning everything he can about it—its inner workings, its connections to other art forms, and how to share that insight with others.
Evan completed three years of a Bachelor of Music degree at Mount Allison University, where he performed regularly, excelled in studio classes, and worked collaboratively as a vocal accompanist for performances and examinations. His studies spanned theory, composition, musicianship, history, collaborative piano, electronic music creation, and orchestration. He holds his Level 10 Piano (grade 90) and Level 8 Theory (grade 99) certifications from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English at Cape Breton University to further enrich his interdisciplinary understanding of music through coursework in playwriting, poetry, drama, and improvisation. Evan is currently completing his Suzuki teacher training.
A dedicated teacher and performer, Evan has taught RCM piano in a private studio in Sydney, N.S., preparing students for piano and theory examinations and the Kiwanis Festival of Music, and he designed and taught a Grade 11 Music Appreciation class at Munro Academy in North Sydney. He has also performed widely since 2018—on piano, drums, and bass—for church services, dinners, private concerts, festivals, and as a guest artist with ensembles. For four years, he portrayed a musician and dance master at the Fortress of Louisbourg, playing harpsichord, singing in choirs, and performing music for dances.
As a teacher, Evan deeply values patience and gentle guidance while helping each developing musician fully realize their potential. He has a natural intuition for how different students learn, and works with students of all ages and abilities to help them perform their best while staying personally motivated and inspired. Evan cares deeply about music and its power to strengthen community and uplift those around us, and he is thrilled to support Scotia Suzuki School of Music in that work.
Kimberly Holmes
ACAC Fiddle / Jam Instructor
Shannon Peng
ACAC Art Instructor
Shannon enjoys nature, painting and drawing.
Shannon enjoys nature, painting and drawing.
Sue Ellen Wilder
ACAC Cello
Sue Ellen Wilder has spent decades teaching strings — in classrooms, studios, and summer camps, to students from Primary through Grade Twelve and to adults. She holds Suzuki teacher training in cello (Levels 1–4), a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a Master of Education from Acadia University, and a Diploma in the Kodály Method. She spent five years as Department Head of the Halifax All City Music Program, and still plays cello with Nova Sinfonia and the Chebucto Orchestra.
Sue Ellen has spent much of her career helping other teachers teach, which means she is unusually good at breaking something difficult into a step you can actually do this week. You'll never feel rushed, and you'll never feel like the beginner in the room. Whether you're picking the cello up for the first time or returning to it after years away, she'll make starting feel simple.
Sue Ellen Wilder has spent decades teaching strings — in classrooms, studios, and summer camps, to students from Primary through Grade Twelve and to adults. She holds Suzuki teacher training in cello (Levels 1–4), a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a Master of Education from Acadia University, and a Diploma in the Kodály Method. She spent five years as Department Head of the Halifax All City Music Program, and still plays cello with Nova Sinfonia and the Chebucto Orchestra.
Sue Ellen has spent much of her career helping other teachers teach, which means she is unusually good at breaking something difficult into a step you can actually do this week. You'll never feel rushed, and you'll never feel like the beginner in the room. Whether you're picking the cello up for the first time or returning to it after years away, she'll make starting feel simple.
Sydney Currie
ACAC Art
Sydney Currie is a painter from Ottawa, Ontario, currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in May 2025. Sydney's painting practice is process-oriented, currently exploring gesture and mark-making through somatic and meditative exercises.
Sydney Currie is a painter from Ottawa, Ontario, currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in May 2025. Sydney's painting practice is process-oriented, currently exploring gesture and mark-making through somatic and meditative exercises.
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