Cynthia Kinnunen

Cynthia is a music educator and community musician based in Guelph, Ontario, and part-time faculty and doctoral researcher at Wilfrid Laurier University (Community Music PhD concentration). Following Grade Ten Conservatory certification (piano), she completed her undergraduate degree in music (piano) and a concurrent diploma in arts/non-profit management, and more recently received a Master in Community Music at Wilfrid Laurier University. Instrumental studies over the years have included piano, flute, bassoon, oboe, voice, and 'ukulele.

She provides music instruction in ‘ukulele and piano (online and in the community), is Director of the Royal City Ukulele Ensemble adult learning program (now in its 11^th year), and runs community ‘ukulele events in the region, including as Founder and Director of the Royal City Uke Fest in Guelph, Ontario. Cynthia is a Level 3 graduate of the James Hill Ukulele Initiative (JHUI) Teacher Certification Program, has served as a clinician in the program, and has worked for James Hill as part of his Uketropolis team, supporting a global network of engaged music teachers and learners. She has taught and performed at a variety of ‘ukulele festivals, retreats, and events over the years, including Ukulele Festival of Scotland, Tropical Winter Ukulele Fest (Finland), Midwest Uke and Harmonica Camp, You Can Uke Voice and Ukulele Retreat, Mighty Uke Day, Port Townsend Uke Fest, James Hill’s Ukulele Hot Springs, and more. She also designed and taught a unique First Year Seminar course at the University of Guelph entitled The Mighty ‘Ukulele: finding its place in education, medicine, culture and community for four years, and has been teaching the Elementary Techniques ‘Ukulele course at Laurier for several years.

Currently, her research interests include community ensemble learning and social musicking, transitions across the lifespan (women in midlife+, in particular), social identity, and well-being, with interest in arts-based, a/r/tographic, and narrative inquiry research methods. She also takes a particular interest in pedagogy, process, and facilitation through the lens of the ‘ukulele and how that translates over the lifespan. Passionate about the role that music can play throughout our lives, she encourages everyone to learn and make music, regardless of age or ability. She looks forward to connecting with students to explore what can be achieved through music in classrooms and communities.