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Violin - Cello - Piano - Guitar - Musical Theatre - Dance - Adult Arts Programming
Our ACAC Teachers
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?
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.
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 Rubenstein
Art and Yoga Instructor
Alex has been an instructor with ACAC since it first opened its doors in September 2023, where she started teaching yoga and chair yoga classes. With the expansion of the program, Alex is thrilled to instruct her first abstract painting class.
Born and raised in Toronto, Alex has always had a passion for all things creative and cultural. She majored in Social Anthropology, with a minor in theatre studies at York University. In 2007, she decided to pursue a career in teaching English as a foreign language and she relocated to East Asia, returning to Canada for good in 2020. It wasn't until then that Alex took her creative endeavors more seriously, picking up the paintbrush for the first time since childhood.
Alex is a self-taught artist. Most of her work is abstract and always intuitive. Alex likes anything experimental, where she gets to work with different techniques and tools to apply paint. She loves working with bright colors and thick textures. Her work is often described as free, fun, whimsical, and playful. Her inspiration comes from nature, travel, and various movement practices. The process is the most important aspect of Alex's painting, even more so than the result.
Throughout her adulthood, Alex has always been a dedicated yogi. In 2023, she decided to take her practice to the next level where she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Alex is a passionate teacher who cares about every student. Regardless of the discipline she teaches, she wants everyone to have a great experience in her classes!
Alex has been an instructor with ACAC since it first opened its doors in September 2023, where she started teaching yoga and chair yoga classes. With the expansion of the program, Alex is thrilled to instruct her first abstract painting class.
Born and raised in Toronto, Alex has always had a passion for all things creative and cultural. She majored in Social Anthropology, with a minor in theatre studies at York University. In 2007, she decided to pursue a career in teaching English as a foreign language and she relocated to East Asia, returning to Canada for good in 2020. It wasn't until then that Alex took her creative endeavors more seriously, picking up the paintbrush for the first time since childhood.
Alex is a self-taught artist. Most of her work is abstract and always intuitive. Alex likes anything experimental, where she gets to work with different techniques and tools to apply paint. She loves working with bright colors and thick textures. Her work is often described as free, fun, whimsical, and playful. Her inspiration comes from nature, travel, and various movement practices. The process is the most important aspect of Alex's painting, even more so than the result.
Throughout her adulthood, Alex has always been a dedicated yogi. In 2023, she decided to take her practice to the next level where she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Alex is a passionate teacher who cares about every student. Regardless of the discipline she teaches, she wants everyone to have a great experience in her classes!
Ashar Trim - Gaskin
ACAC Beginner and Advanced Beginner fiddle/Violin Teacher
My name is Asher Trim-Gaskin. Asher hails from the beautiful island of Barbados. His leadership qualities emerged as a delegate of the Global Youth Leadership Conference as an early teen. He is an avid sportsman–having represented the island in swimming and rubgy and he is a 23-year classical violinist–10 of which were spent as first violin in the Barbados National Youth Orchestra. Currently, he is a member of the Nova Scotia community orchestra Nova Sinfonia.
In 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Certificate in Genetics from Dalhousie University. During his time at DAL he was President of the Caribbean Connection Student Society for two consecutive years and more recently, he was a Teaching Assistant for second-year Genetics and Diversity courses. To further satisfy his love for community development and leadership, Asher leads a youth group and plays violin in the band of his local church Deep Water.
My name is Asher Trim-Gaskin. Asher hails from the beautiful island of Barbados. His leadership qualities emerged as a delegate of the Global Youth Leadership Conference as an early teen. He is an avid sportsman–having represented the island in swimming and rubgy and he is a 23-year classical violinist–10 of which were spent as first violin in the Barbados National Youth Orchestra. Currently, he is a member of the Nova Scotia community orchestra Nova Sinfonia.
In 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Certificate in Genetics from Dalhousie University. During his time at DAL he was President of the Caribbean Connection Student Society for two consecutive years and more recently, he was a Teaching Assistant for second-year Genetics and Diversity courses. To further satisfy his love for community development and leadership, Asher leads a youth group and plays violin in the band of his local church Deep Water.
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.
Elsa Allred
Musical Theatre / Vocal / Dance/ ACAC Pilates Instructor
From Halifax, Nova Scotia, Elsa has been training and performing in music, dance, and theatre since a very young age. She is a Trained Vocal Instructor from New York Vocal Coaching under Justin Stoney in New York City. She is a Suzuki Early Childhood Education teacher trained in both level one and two by the program creators, Sharon Jones and Dorothy Jones. Elsa has a Professional Dance Diploma from the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. She performed as a lead dancer and singer with the Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors on their international tour of “Welcome Home” performing across the United States and Brazil. Winning a Repy Award for her role as Louise in Carousel with Utah Repertory Theatre and performing lead roles in over a dozen musicals, Elsa is very passionate about performing and helping her students to experience the joy that can come from lifting and inspiring others through their performances. Elsa has studied Shakespeare and Contemporary theatre in London, England and acting from numerous instructors and professors including Tim Threlfall and Amy Jenson. She has competed in countless dance and musical theater competitions over the years. In 2015, she represented Nova Scotia at CANdance Competition at the International championship level, ranking her as an overall title soloist winner. Elsa has training at schools such as The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet School and Ballet West. Elsa’s passion and experience in the arts is not limited to performing. With this experience and training, Elsa has taught music, dance and theatre classes for years as well as choreographed for many productions. She is passionate about bringing current, healthy and technical voice education to her students in Nova Scotia so they can sing and master any style and have vocal strength and longevity!
From Halifax, Nova Scotia, Elsa has been training and performing in music, dance, and theatre since a very young age. She is a Trained Vocal Instructor from New York Vocal Coaching under Justin Stoney in New York City. She is a Suzuki Early Childhood Education teacher trained in both level one and two by the program creators, Sharon Jones and Dorothy Jones. Elsa has a Professional Dance Diploma from the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. She performed as a lead dancer and singer with the Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors on their international tour of “Welcome Home” performing across the United States and Brazil. Winning a Repy Award for her role as Louise in Carousel with Utah Repertory Theatre and performing lead roles in over a dozen musicals, Elsa is very passionate about performing and helping her students to experience the joy that can come from lifting and inspiring others through their performances. Elsa has studied Shakespeare and Contemporary theatre in London, England and acting from numerous instructors and professors including Tim Threlfall and Amy Jenson. She has competed in countless dance and musical theater competitions over the years. In 2015, she represented Nova Scotia at CANdance Competition at the International championship level, ranking her as an overall title soloist winner. Elsa has training at schools such as The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet School and Ballet West. Elsa’s passion and experience in the arts is not limited to performing. With this experience and training, Elsa has taught music, dance and theatre classes for years as well as choreographed for many productions. She is passionate about bringing current, healthy and technical voice education to her students in Nova Scotia so they can sing and master any style and have vocal strength and longevity!
Mary-Margaret Bennett
ACAC Felting Instructor
As a professional content writer with a passion for inspiring others through the joys of art, I weave creativity into every aspect of my work. Serving as a part-time instructor at the Scotia Suzuki School of Music, I am honoured to nurture my next cohort of artists and ignite a love for creativity in their everyday lives. Let's embark on a journey together, exploring the profound connection between storytelling and the expressive world of art.
As a professional content writer with a passion for inspiring others through the joys of art, I weave creativity into every aspect of my work. Serving as a part-time instructor at the Scotia Suzuki School of Music, I am honoured to nurture my next cohort of artists and ignite a love for creativity in their everyday lives. Let's embark on a journey together, exploring the profound connection between storytelling and the expressive world of art.
Megan (Bain) Singer
Violin / Viola / Orchestra / Head Teacher
Megan is from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She began studying the violin in the Suzuki Method at the age four with Yvonne DeRoller. She continued her violin studies with George Maxman, Anne Rapson and Philippe Djokic. She spent two years of violin study at the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Linda Cerone and David Updegraff. Megan then returned to Halifax, where she graduated from Dalhousie University in 2003 with combined BSC honours in Neuroscience and Music, studying the viola with Professor Philippe Djokic. Megan then traveled west to continue her viola studies with David Harding at the University of British Columbia, where she graduated with a Masters in Music in 2007. She then went to Calgary to play in the viola section of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Megan returned to Halifax in 2019. She enjoys being outside, loves biking, running, swimming, gardening and spending time with her family; husband Jarvis and two kids Samantha and Jack.
Megan is from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She began studying the violin in the Suzuki Method at the age four with Yvonne DeRoller. She continued her violin studies with George Maxman, Anne Rapson and Philippe Djokic. She spent two years of violin study at the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Linda Cerone and David Updegraff. Megan then returned to Halifax, where she graduated from Dalhousie University in 2003 with combined BSC honours in Neuroscience and Music, studying the viola with Professor Philippe Djokic. Megan then traveled west to continue her viola studies with David Harding at the University of British Columbia, where she graduated with a Masters in Music in 2007. She then went to Calgary to play in the viola section of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Megan returned to Halifax in 2019. She enjoys being outside, loves biking, running, swimming, gardening and spending time with her family; husband Jarvis and two kids Samantha and Jack.
Monique Ryan
Belly Dance Instructor
Monique has studied body movement and exercise in depth and holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University. She began studying bellydance in 1998, circus arts in 2003, and has over 20 years of teaching and performance experience. Monique has been hired to teach and perform all across North America and has also co-owned her own dance studio, Serpentine Studios. Monique has had the honour of winning "Best Dancer" and "Best Choreographer" in The Coast newspaper's Readers Choice Awards.
Monique's love of performance and getting ready for the stage has also led her to pursue a career in hair and makeup. She now works from her home salon in North-End Halifax.
Monique has studied body movement and exercise in depth and holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University. She began studying bellydance in 1998, circus arts in 2003, and has over 20 years of teaching and performance experience. Monique has been hired to teach and perform all across North America and has also co-owned her own dance studio, Serpentine Studios. Monique has had the honour of winning "Best Dancer" and "Best Choreographer" in The Coast newspaper's Readers Choice Awards.
Monique's love of performance and getting ready for the stage has also led her to pursue a career in hair and makeup. She now works from her home salon in North-End Halifax.
Shannon Peng
ACAC Zumba Instructor
Shannon has been passionate about dancing since her childhood. She loves to share a passion for dancing with her students.
Born in Taiwan, Shannon was formerly trained as a flutist in classical music and moved to Vancouver at age 14. After graduating from UBC with a degree in Food Nutrition and Health, she came to Halifax and fell in love with the East Coast vibe. She continues pursuing her creativity in a variety of types of dancing, belly dance, hip pop and salsa. She enjoys walking in nature, oil painting and sketching. She has been a certified Zumba instructor since 2022. If you love Latin music and dancing, come to her zumba class and show off your pizzazz.
Shannon has been passionate about dancing since her childhood. She loves to share a passion for dancing with her students.
Born in Taiwan, Shannon was formerly trained as a flutist in classical music and moved to Vancouver at age 14. After graduating from UBC with a degree in Food Nutrition and Health, she came to Halifax and fell in love with the East Coast vibe. She continues pursuing her creativity in a variety of types of dancing, belly dance, hip pop and salsa. She enjoys walking in nature, oil painting and sketching. She has been a certified Zumba instructor since 2022. If you love Latin music and dancing, come to her zumba class and show off your pizzazz.
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