Olivia Riddell

President and International Director

Olivia Riddell BA, MYCC, RMT, was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. She is the President and International Director of Music for Young Children, and is the past Chairman of the Board of Conservatory Canada. Olivia began her music studies in Sunshine™ 1. Her private music/piano teachers have been Frances Balodis, Jiri Hlavacek in Ottawa, Ontario, and John Perry in Victoria, British Columbia. Olivia studied piano at St. Thomas University, Minnesota with Jim Callahan, with Antonin Kub­alek at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario and with Douglas Voice at Ottawa University, Ottawa, Ontario. Olivia studied voice with Judy Ritchie in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and with Vickie Iles and Charlotte Stewart in Ottawa, Ontario. She has studied flute with Cathy Rol­lins in Ottawa, Ontario. Having completed her grade X piano, her grade IX voice and her grade VIII flute and all theory required for the Associate level, Olivia has a well-rounded approach to teaching. Olivia began teaching piano privately and MYC when she was 16 years old. 

David Riddell

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

David Riddell is the Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Music for Young Children.  David has a degree in Public and International Relations and began his career in Ottawa with Bank One VISA.  David is bilingual and was the Marketing Manager to Small Business VISA Accounts before joining the Marketing team at Music for Young Children (MYC).  As the Marketing Manager at RBC, David designed, implemented and followed through prospecting/recruiting/marketing campaigns geared to small business and the follow-through involved profiling, assessing the financial needs, managing and dealing with customer concerns on an on-going basis.  His experience, enthusiasm, and dedication are fabulous!  Once joining MYC, David created a website ad creator tool, the first standard-setting software for the industry.  He has also implemented Digital Marketing, Google ad words and re-branding as well as launching a successful advertising campaign for MYC. David is a member of the Canadian Professional Speakers Association (CAPS) and was Treasurer from 2008-2010 and Marketing Director. David works closely with his business mentor with the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) and attends Leadership Dialogues, which is an intensive leadership training course.  David sits on the Board for Ottawa Arts Court and is Marketing Chair as well.

Janice Reade

Public Relations Manager

Janice Reade has been working at MYC since 1992 and is often the first contact teachers have with MYC.  She first met Frances Balodis, the Founder, in 1987 when her three year old son started music lessons.  After he graduated, Janice continued in the program with her daughter and when she graduated, Janice took part in the adult program.  After studying psychology at Carleton University, she worked at the Ottawa Journal as the editor responsible for organizing the transition to computer typesetting. Janice began working for Music for Young Children answering telephone inquiries and now as the Public Relations Manager is responsible for media coverage in newspapers and magazines.  She works on special projects, on making corrections in student manuals and organizing the International Composition Festival, and is also the Executive Assistant for Olivia and David Riddell. Janice spends much of her free time as a scenic photographer and loves to cook.

Susan Stewart

Office Manager & Human Resources Administrator

Susan Stewart is our Human Resources Administrator.  She works very closely with Olivia and David to ensure MYC-Kanata meets our legislative responsibilities and is fully staffed and running smoothly.  Susan has more than 15 years of Human Resources experience and has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bishop's University.  Prior to MYC, Susan was the Director of Human Resources for a large information technology company in Ottawa.  When not at hockey or ringette with her two children, Ben and Sarah, Susan loves to spend time outdoors whether it is gardening in the summer or skiing in the winter.

 Marguerite Black

Shipping & Purchasing Manager

Shipping Manager, Marguerite Black, has been working for MYC since 2004.  Marguerite is responsible for shipping everything to MYC teachers and takes care of the depot in Ogdensburg, making sure it is well stocked.  We are fortunate to have Marguerite in shipping because she is very well-organized and always thinking ahead to reorder supplies so we don’t run out. Marguerite is married and has a teenage daughter.  Previous to MYC, Marguerite worked at Colonial Furniture for 20 years.  Marguerite is a dedicated Dragon Boat paddler for the Carleton Place Canoe Club. 

Debora Cossee

Finance Officer

Finance Officer Debora Cossee has spent more than 20 years in the not-for-profit sector, as a manager and finance coordinator specializing in the housing sector as well as environmental and retirement industries.  Debora is married with two adult daughters, two stepsons and a young adopted daughter.  She is also the proud grandmother of two grandsons.  Her hobbies include Wii, bowling, dancing and summer activities.

Cailie McNeill

Advertising Coordinator

Cailie McNeill is our Advertising Coordinator and wears many hats in the office. She takes care of all our branding, advertising, social media, website, manual updates, supplies, and is the main contact for teacher marketing support. As a graduate of Algonquin College's Advertising program, Cailie has specialized in graphic design, marketing, media purchasing/tracking, and presentations. In her free time she enjoys being outside with her partner and dogs, running, exercising, cooking (or eating Janice's cooking), and reading, and can often be found thinking of the next new thing for MYC.

 Penny Potter

Sales Service and Support

Penny Potter works as Sales, Service and Support and is a former MYC mom of teacher Wendy Knapp. Penny is the voice you usually hear when you call MYC-Kanata and she is here to help you with your orders, passwords and support questions. Penny enjoys her job and especially getting to know the teachers. Penny has been happily married since 1978 and her daughter, Ilya, is now 25 years old. Penny enjoys modern square dancing and is a member of the Rural Root Theatre Company where she has worked on props, costumes, sound, set decorating, makeup and acted with the Company for the past four years.  A motto Penny likes to live by is ‘Treat others the way you would like to be treated”.  Have an Outstanding Day!

 Tracy Waugh

Customer Service Associate

Tracy is the voice you hear when you phone MYC-Kanata and she also takes care of ordering seminar supplies for Coordinators.  Tracy grew up in Kanata, has Grade 8 Piano, loves dogs and the outdoors and is married to Ellis, a member of Canada's military.  Tracy is also a wedding photographer in her free time.

Frances Balodis

Founder and Chairman of the Board

retired

Gunars Balodis

Director and Founding Partner

retired