TipToe Music - Our Teachers

For us continuous improvement and training is very important!

All of our teachers are registered Music Together^® teachers - trained to lead Music Together classes at TipToe Music. We regularly join "Songs & Skills" Workshops and take additional training to refresh and grow our skill sets so we can be the best we can be for our families!

		E-J Walker E-J is the Founder and lead teacher of TipToe Music. Originally from England, she has sung and performed throughout her life in the UK, Europe and Hong Kong in many choirs including The Hong Kong Bach Choir and The Cecilian Singers of Hong Kong, as well as the London EC4 Choir and Dorset Opera, England and now the Mississauga Festival Chamber Choir. She has flute and piano qualifications from the Royal School of Music, London, England. E-J stumbled upon Music Together when her children were small, with all three of her boys learning through Music Together Mixed Ages classes in Hong Kong. This passion for music-making with her children inspired her to train as a Music Together teacher in Melbourne, Australia in October 2013, and more recently to develop her skills further through the Music Together Certification Level One qualification in Toronto, Canada in 2017. E-J was awarded her Music Together Certification Level I in Toronto in March 2017, having demonstrated outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education. The award was granted from the Center for Music and Young Children in Princeton, NJ, USA by Kenneth K. Guilmartin, Founder/Director. E-J has taught Music Together in Hong Kong and Canada, including Mixed Ages and specialist Babies Only classes, and now introduces the new Rhythm Kids^® programme for older children. She is also a Music Together Inschool specialist, teaching locally in daycares and pre-schools. She believes that music is an integral part of learning for ALL children and is passionate about supporting families and local community growth to achieve happiness and confidence through their love of music.

		Ashton Wood Ashton is a “Music Together Mummy” who’s been participating in various classes in the GTA with her daughters since they were each 6 months old. Ashton’s first exposure to Music Together was from books gifted to her at her baby shower, like ‘One Little Owl’ & ‘May All Children’. She has seen the joy that music-making brings to her home and hopes to inspire other parents to see the benefits of making music together as a family. Ashton has worked with children in various degrees for the past 10 years; as a full-time nanny, summer camp director, supply teacher, and now as a stay-at-home mom with her 3 daughters. Ashton grew up in a musical household where her family members all play piano and love singing harmonies in the car, around the house, and in church choirs. Ashton completed her Music Together teacher training in June 2022 and is so excited to bring the joy of making music together to families in the Town of Milton.

		Maria Wang Maria's journey from China to Canada has been a tapestry of experiences! As a former English teacher in Beijing New Oriental School in China, Maria embarked on her Canadian adventure in 2014 to pursue her MBA at Rotman, University of Toronto. Post-graduation, Maria ventured into the realm of online education and teaching children English, bridging cultural gaps between English speakers and Chinese learners. Maria's career took a backseat when she embraced motherhood, but when she found the Music Together program with her son in 2023 there was no turning back - she dove into the work of TipToe Music! Maria believes in learning through play. Her teaching philosophy mirrors her warm and unconventional personality. She values the playful atmosphere of our classes, appreciating the space for parents to engage authentically with their children. Despite never considering herself musically inclined, our classes have uncovered her hidden talents! From improvised car sing-alongs to playful lyric changes, Maria and her son’s musical adventures bring joy without pressure or expectation. She is surprised to see her son has made great progress in both music-making and language development within a year. Maria believes everyone is musical. As the lead for our new Music Together with Mandarin program in Oakville, she can't wait to teach our families and support you and your child to find your own rhythm! Maria来自中国，是最新加入TipToe Music的老师。 Maria懂教育，懂孩子。来加拿大前，她曾经在北京新东方学校工作七年，担任英语教师。2014年，Maria开始在多伦多大学Rotman管理学院攻读MBA。毕业后，她重返教育领域，从事在线儿童英语教育和培训工作，致力于培养孩子们的学习能力和语言能力，理解不同国家的文化差异。2018年，Maria暂别职场，做了妈妈。2023年春天，她带着儿子开始上Music Together的音乐课。她从第一节就爱上了这个课程，从此一发不可收。2023年底，她顺利完成培训，也完成了从“Music Together妈妈”到“Music Together老师”的转变，全身心地投入到这份新的工作中。 Maria坚信寓教于乐是最好的教育方式。她的教学理念就像她的性格一样，待人真诚，又不拘一格。她很喜欢我们在音乐课堂中营造出的轻松氛围，也很喜欢我们为孩子和家长提供了一个舒适又自在的环境，进行充分的亲子互动。Maria从来不认为自己具备音乐天赋，但是我们的课程发掘了她的潜能，也让她重新认识了自己！现在的她每天都被歌声环绕，坐车的时候他们一家会跟着音乐哼唱，上学的路上他们牵着手，改歌词、变音调，唱着不同的心情，也经常会忍不住哈哈大笑。在音乐学习上，Maria从不给孩子施压，但她惊奇地发现，在短短不到一年的时间里，儿子的音乐能力和语言能力都有了长足的进步。 Maria的经历让她深刻地意识到：每个人都有音乐天赋！作为Music Together with Mandarin项目的负责人，她迫不及待地想跟大家一起分享这神奇的经历，带着大家找到属于自己、属于孩子的节奏！

		Emma Smith Emma is a TipToe Music Mom who started classes with her then 6 month old daughter in 2019, moving and growing all the way through to Rhythm Kids^®! Emma first heard of TipToe Music and Music Together through word-of-mouth, and booked in for a babies-only demo class. After that fateful demo, she was hooked, and on E-J's suggestion, signed herself and her daughter up for that Fall Session Mixed Ages in Oakville. It quickly became the go-to car ride entertainment, and is a mainstay in the family music rotation to this day. A ballet dancer from a young age, Emma was adept at “feeling the music” in her body. Growing up in a musical household, she also learned piano and flute, playing flute throughout high school. After going on to dance professionally, an injury forced her to pivot her plans. Music Together has rekindled Emma’s love of music, dancing, and performing, and you’ll often find her bringing all sorts of silliness to her classes. Emma completed her Music Together training in 2024, and is thrilled to join the wonderful and talented team at TipToe Music.

		Julia Locaso Julia brings a wealth of experience and a joyful, nurturing spirit to TipToe Music. For the past five years, she’s dedicated herself to caring for and teaching young children, first as a Montessori educator and RECE and later as a nanny. Her journey even took her to Hawaii, where she spent time as a live-in nanny for three young boys under three—an adventure that expanded her love and skill for nurturing children’s development. After returning to Canada, Julia rejoined the Montessori world, where she currently teaches. Her passion for early childhood development shines through her belief that a child’s first three years are pivotal to their lifelong growth. Julia was first introduced to Music Together while nannying, attending classes with her charge and discovering how music can spark joy and connection. She loved it so much that she completed her Music Together teacher training in October 2024! Julia is excited to bring her warmth, playfulness, and music to every class. She’s ready to engage with families, create meaningful musical moments, and, most importantly, have fun together!

		The TipToe Music Teachers Join a class with some or ALL of our teachers! You'll get the best of us!