Rhonda found in Music Together^® what she desired for many years, the opportunity to marry two great loves, working with children in early childhood, and doing it through music.  Rhonda has been involved in music her whole life, but had never quite witnessed children learning music in the non formal, participatory fashion that Music Together encourages.  She says, “Finding this program was kind of like finding home: it spoke to the child within, and immediately I felt thrilled to have the opportunity to share music in this way with our community.”

Rhonda has been formally trained in voice and has participated in many dramatic productions.  Rhonda has led various children’s programs and even entertained as a clown.  She has also worked in early childhood education as a preschool teacher.

In March 2006, Rhonda was awarded Music Together Certification Level I for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy and parent education.  In the summer of 2005 she received her Certification I from the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, an international organization of professional music educators.  She is also a member of The Children's Music Network and has studied Dalcroze Eurythmics at the Longy School of Music.

Aoife comes from the small town of Carrick-on-Suir, in Co Tipperary, Ireland, where her musical career began at an early age. Her father Bobby Clancy of the legendary Clancy Brothers, placed a guitar in her hands at age ten.  Aoife (pronounced Eefa) went on to the Gaiety School of Acting, where she studied drama for a season, before moving on to a full time performing career.  In the time since, Aoife has recorded seven albums, performed with Christy Moore and the Furey Brothers, the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, was a member of the acclaimed ensemble, Cherish the Ladies, and of course, performed with the Clancy Brothers.  Aoife has toured extensively in Europe and the United States. 

When asked how such an accomplished performer found herself as a Music Together teacher Aoife said, "I chose to teach music together because I grew up in a household surrounded by music which made a big impact on my life. My father was a professional musician who taught me to sing and play guitar at a very early age.  I will never forget the influence this had on me as a child and the confidence it gave me.  Music has enriched my life so much, in so many ways, that I decided to make a career out of it.  I hope I can help children love music the way my father taught me to.  It's a gift that should be shared in every family and I am very grateful for."

SCMT is grateful to have Aoife on its teaching team and hope you enjoy making music with her in a class soon!

For more information on Aoife, visit her website at http://www.aoifeclancy.com/.

Marcus Monteiro joined the SCMT teaching team in August of 2008. At that time Marcus was already a successful professional musician headlining the Marcus Monteiro Quartet.  Having taught music to children in the past, and finding the formal teaching experience less than satisfying, Marcus found himself excited by the Music Together philosophy and practice of non-formal instruction.  Marcus says, "Music Together gave me the tools to teach the way I believe music should be taught; experientially, with people, and children specifically, taking from the experience exactly what they need when they need it.  That teaching style affords the 'teacher' and 'student' the opportunity to form a collaboration in learning, one in which each gain musical insight." 

Marcus studied Composition and Performance at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.  The Marcus Monteiro Quartet is a South Coast favorite with a sound that defies definition and appeals to fans of jazz, funk, rock, fusion, blues, and dance. MM4 has been playing for five years in a variety of New England venues, including Copperfield’s in Boston, MA, The Middle East in Cambridge, MA, The Alehouse of Portland, ME, and The Galapagos Art Space in New York City.  In the fall of 2008 MM4 was invited to perform at the Cape Cod Jazz Festival.  While music is a great love in Marcus' life it has been usurped just a bit by Marcus' newest love, Xavier.  Marcus and his wife Debbie had their first child in November of 2008, and soon they will all be making Music Together! 

For more information on Marcus, visit his website at: http://www.iammarcus.com/.

Joanne joined the South Coast Music Together team in the summer of 2009 as registrar and administrator.  She discovered the joy of Music Together when she attended a demonstration class when her daughter was four months old.  Joanne quickly discovered that the music and movements learned in class aided a great deal in redirecting a sometimes distraught infant.  She is convinced that these classes have made her family more musical.

Joanne has a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in Management.  She has held numerous managerial positions in the telecommunications industry and has developed a reputation for resolving issues and streamlining processes.

Joanne may be reached at joanne@southcoastmt.com.