Meraki Staff

We take pride in working with highly-experienced individuals who bring our students incredibly creative opportunities. Our staff have varied and rich backgrounds, adding to their unique teaching styles.

Jill Buchanan

Director · Music Therapist · Piano Teacher · LMM Leader

Jill Buchanan is a musician, board-certified music therapist, piano teacher, group leader, mom of 2 creative young men and Founder and Director of The Meraki Center. She has her Bachelors in Music from UC Santa Cruz and Masters in Music Therapy from New York University.

Over 40 years of experience in the field of music for children and adults has given her plenty of opportunities to explore how individuals develop and receive information. After graduating, Jill began working as a music therapist at The Perkins School for the Blind, the All-Newton Music School, and the Brookline Music School. In addition, she has directed her own private practice for most of her career, quickly gaining a reputation for her ability to connect with her students and inspiring them to discover their own love for music.

Over the years, Jill has worked with a wide variety of students, from young children just beginning their musical journey, to adults who are looking to learn a new instrument or improve their skills. She has developed a unique teaching style that focuses on creating a positive and supportive learning environment, and encourages her students to explore their own creativity and express themselves through music.

An accomplished musician who can play several instruments, Jill is always looking for new opportunities to share her love of music with others and is dedicated to helping people of all ages and abilities discover the joys of making music.

Cammy Gallagher

Music Therapist · Guitar · Uke · Voice · Piano Teacher · LMM Leader

Cammy is a board-certified music therapist from Putnam, CT. She graduated from Anna Maria College in 2021 and has since served as a music therapist in a variety of settings, including UMass Memorial Medical Center, Fuller Hospital, and the Kennedy-Donovan Center Early Intervention Program.

She is passionate about providing accessible, high-quality, and joyful music experiences for all ages and backgrounds. Cammy has been singing since before she could talk and loves helping others find their voices and discover the joy of music making. Outside of work, she enjoys learning new arts/craft skills, going to as many concerts as possible, and being a dedicated cat mom.

You will find Cammy teaching voice, piano, guitar and ukulele in the private lesson classroom. She runs the Vocal Vibes singing class and music therapy. As if that isn't already plenty, she also leads Little Meraki Music classes for the littlest ones.

Abigail Normand

Piano Teacher

Abigail (Abby) Normand joined Meraki January 2024 and our classrooms have never been the same! Abby has a gentle yet firm approach to working with our students, particularly those working through more tricky passages. Though most often somewhat quiet in the classroom, Abby has a smile that will light up the studio.

Her musical experience includes years of lessons at the piano focused on popular and classical genres. Abby runs our group lesson programs, but her talents do not stop there! She leads most of our Piano Discovery lessons, so students get a chance to meet her right away, then have a sunny familiar face when it's time to start their first group lesson. Abby is also one of our private piano lesson teachers.

Jim Nelson

Guitar & Bass Teacher

Jim is a guitar player and instructor with 20 years of experience sharing the joy of music with others. His patient and joyful teaching style and ability to break down complex ideas into simple, practical steps, helps students of all ages feel comfortable and inspired. His lessons blend creativity, encouragement, and real-world musicianship, making learning the guitar both fun and rewarding.

Jim graduated from the Berklee School of Music cum laude. He has performed in many venues in the New England area, most notably The House of Blues, Harper's Ferry and EM Lowes. He continues to play professionally to promote live performance and raise funds for various charitable organizations in the Central Mass area.

Isabella Perry

Teaching Assistant

Our newest addition, Isabella (Bella) Perry was hand-picked to become a part of the Meraki staff. Currently an adult student under Jill Buchanan, Bella is a gifted singer/songwriter and has performed across the country showcasing her music. Her deep love for music started from when she was very young and grows as she shares it with others.

Part of a very large family (7 children!), Bella lives in Sutton with her ducks, chickens, dog and chinchillas. Her entire family is involved in music on some level, so jumping into creating music was a natural choice for her. If you ever have a chance to hear Bella sing, you will never forget it!

You'll find Bella assisting Abby in the group piano classes, running private piano lessons, creating colorful and meaningful activities and wall art or taking amazing care of our Meraki space!