Travis Birch

Family Residence

Travis has been serious about music since he was a child, and as a youngster received several awards for his classical piano performances.  His love for both music and sports naturally lead to a keen interest and an eventual career in dance.
He is a graduate of the National Ballet School's professional program and performed with companies such as the National Ballet of Canada, the Alberta Ballet, the Ballet of the National Theatre in Prague, the Gothenburg Opera Ballet and Ballet Jargen Canada.  He also holds a teaching diploma for professional dancers from the National Ballet School.
During his time in dance, Travis continued to develop his musical pursuits, teaching himself the guitar, forming and leading a couple of bands and composing and producing his own music.
Travis is the founder and director of FairGardens, a not-for-profit organization that uses the arts to help  people develop their capabilities as agents of positive social change in their own communities.  He is also the father of a young son named Phoenix.
Last but not least, Travis is extremely happy to have the opportunity to be a part of Rainbow Songs to share the joy of music with children and their families.

Click here to read some of Travis' Blogs!

Joel Corriveau

Beatrice House

Joel Corriveau loves deeply of life, sound, story, music, motion, and emotion.

Music lessons began at a young age for Joel, learning in the Kodaly tradition. The wonderful memories of those group classes have stayed with him, and he is thrilled to share the magic of music through Rainbow Songs. Joel completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Queen's University, Kingston. He then leapt at the chance to tour across Canada performing as an actor with Touring Players Theatre, delighting young audiences in "A World of Fairy Tales". He completed a Bachelor of Fine Art at Concordia University, Montreal, in the discipline of Electroacoustics - a program that jointly teaches audio engineering and avant composition techniques. His sound designs frequently focus on digital sculpting of the human voice, and organic, natural sounds.

Joel is confident that teaching children creative expression through music and movement with Rainbow Songs is one of the most important things he could be doing with his time. Music has been such an integral part of his life: it is an honour to share the gift of music with little ones, parents, grandparents and nannies.

Click here to read some of Joel's blogs!

Danica Kotsopoulos

Alexandra Community Centre

After discovering a love of music at an early age, Danica began her musical training studying both piano and voice at the Royal Conservatory of Music. As a member of the world-renowned and award-winning Toronto Children's Chorus, Danica has performed at venues across the GTA including Roy Thompson Hall and Massey Hall. She has also performed frequently with Toronto's leading non-profit theatre organization, the Toronto Youth Theatre.

Danica is currently completing her degree in music at York University, majoring in jazz vocal performance, and works as a freelance jazz performer as leader of her jazz ensemble, The Danica Leigh Quartet.

The wonderful memories of singing and performing has resonated with Danica after all these years, and so, her focus is now creating new memories and forming new friendships with the families at Rainbow Songs. She feels lucky to become a member of the Rainbow Song community, one which is a caring and dedicated community of teachers, parents and children.

Click here to read some of Danica's blogs!

Brian Reid

Redwood Shelter

Brian was born into a rich musical heritage; his mother is a professional concert singer and his uncle was a world renowned vocalist.  Brian's own musical journey started with piano lessons at age 7.  He joined the choir at St. George the Martyr Anglican Church the next year.  Shortly thereafter, he began to fill in for the organist on an occasional basis.

His teaching career began in his teens, leading children at Moorelands camp in sing-songs, and instructing campers in the basics of canoeing.  That led earning a degree in a Bachelor of Education and a teaching career that was highlighted by popular music classes and choirs.  At the same time, he was honing his own singing skills as a tenor and bass in the All Saints Anglican Church choir in Whitby.

Currently, Brian is the organist and choir director at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Whitby.  There, he brings his gift of music and love of singing to the congregation. When conducing the adult and children's choirs at the Church, he enjoys using a variety of musical styles.  Now, after years of singing with young children and adults in different capacities, Brian is thrilled to be bringing his voice and energy to Rainbow Songs.

Click here to read some of Brian's blogs!

Mandi Siatkowski

Birkdale Residence

Mandi's earliest and most vivid childhood memory is singing the chorus of Puff The Magic Dragon for family and friends. She still clearly remembers the melody, the lyrics, and where she was, but most importantly the way the music made her feel. It is that type of early, positive musical experience that brought Mandi to Rainbow Songs, to help share the enjoyment of learning music with children and their families.

Music has always been a part of Mandi's life from being part of a musical family, to singing in choirs, learning to play the flute and the guitar and, later, performing in amateur musicals. Those beginnings are the root of Mandi's passion for music, and the importance she believes it has in a child's happy and healthy development. 
As a singer, songwriter and performer of several musical styles, Mandi has dedicated a lot of her time to working with charities; with involvement in musical fundraisers for the Sick Kids Foundation, East Metro Youth Services and The Living Room (a Markham-based recovery facility for youth living with mental illness). Mandi is also the founder of Get Grounded; an annual charity concert. She is currently performing at venues and festivals around southern Ontario, and is working on a new album of original songs.

Mandi is delighted to be part of the Rainbow Songs community.  She genuinely believes in the advantages of children's involvement in music from a very early age and is excited about sharing this gift with them.

Click here to read some of Mandi's blogs!