Meraki Staff

Jill Buchanan is a musician, music therapist,  piano teacher, group leader, mom of 2 creative young men 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 35 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 (Hint; it’s often with more than our brains!) 

Jill began her musical journey as a young child, studying piano. As she grew older, she discovered her love for making music accessible to all, and went on to study music performance and later music therapy at university. Jill was the first intern asked to join The Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at NYU, under the tutelage of Drs. Carol and Clive Robbins, and subsequently received Level II certification as an NRMT. After graduating, she 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, Jill has  directed  her  own  private  practice  for  most  of  her  career. She quickly gained a reputation for her ability to connect with her students and inspire 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. In addition to her work as a music teacher and music therapist, Jill has also been running music groups for young children for many years. She has a special talent for creating fun, interactive, and educational music programs that bring people together and help them to connect through the power of music. Whether she's working with young children, adults, or families, Jill's music groups are always a hit and have a reputation for being both fun and educational.

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 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.

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.