About Us

Michelle (Lawrence) Yaciuk, MM, MTA, (Owner)

Specializations: Music Therapy, Melodies & ABC’s, Piano

Michelle is certified music therapy in both Canada (MTA) and the United States (MT-BC). She holds a Masters of Music (MM) (Western Michigan University, 2009), with an emphasis in Music Therapy, and also holds undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Special Education (University of Mary, 2003).

Michelle has specialized training in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), which can assist those individuals who have rehabilitation and/or neurological needs as well as Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy (NICU), assisting premature infants and their families.

Since becoming a music therapist in 2007, Michelle has had the privileged of working at BC Children’s Hospital, Victoria Conservatory of Music and starting Prelude Music. In 2016, Michelle became a part-time Professor of Music Therapy at Canadian Mennonite University, where she gets to share her passion for the field with up and coming therapists.

Some of Michelle’s achievements are: creating Melodies & ABCs curriculum, 2012 judge for the Juno’s in the category of Best Children’s Album, 2014 the winner of the Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Emerging Business and being a guest speaker throughout North America.

Ashley Roch

Specializations:

Bio to Come

Russell Peters

Specializations:

Bio to Come

Jaimie Terpstra

Specializations:

Bio to Come

Kelly Beaton, BMT, MTA, MT-BC

Specializations: Voice, Piano, Music Therapy, Melodies & ABCs

Kelly Beaton is completing the Bachelor of Music Therapy program at the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, and will begin her music therapy internship at Prelude Music under the supervision of Michelle Yaicuk  in February, 2015.

Kelly has completed music therapy internship placements at the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg and at several elementary schools in Winnipeg.

She has also taught vocal and piano lessons for the last 5 years, and has studied and performed classical voice and piano since the age of 5.

Kelly studied vocal jazz at the International Music Camp, and was heavily involved with the Performance  Arts Program while attending Westwood Collegiate, receiving the award for Outstanding Recognition in Music for three consecutive years.

In addition to formal training, Kelly has traveled throughout North America and Europe with musicians from Winnipeg performing at large, international music festivals and venues. She continues to teach and perform regularly in Winnipeg, and is looking forward to joining Prelude Music’s team.

Jenna Coombs, BMT, MTA, MT-BC

Specializations: Music Therapy, Melodies & ABC’s

Jenna graduated from Capilano University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy and was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement. She did the first half of her internship at St Amant in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities; the second half of her internship was completed in the Brandon School Division working with children from ages 6-21 in the life skills program.

Jenna is accredited with and is a member of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT), and is a Neurological Music Therapist (NMT). Jenna has pursued continuing education to teach early years music and enjoys teaching family music classes.

She has worked with children and adults in both individual and group sessions, ranging from babies to older adults in long-term care. Jenna enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities and loves watching others grow and develop through music therapy.

Naomi Friesen, BMT, MTA, MT-BC

Specializations: Voice

Naomi is a classical pianist at heart though she has training in jazz piano, acoustic guitar and voice. Naomi completed her Bachelor of Music Therapy coursework at Canadian Mennonite University in 2020 and moved on to intern at Selkirk Mental Health Centre where she established services for ages 65 plus. She has enjoyed practicum experiences with groups and individuals ranging from children to older adults in settings like disability support, mental healthcare and long-term care.

Naomi has taken courses in early music education and taught adapted piano lessons for several years prior to joining Prelude Music. She strives to support students to practice self-compassion and appreciation for every step toward discovering their love of music.

Heather Grafe, BEd, BFA, BSM, ARCT

Specializations: Piano

Heather is a dedicated and caring instructor who has been privileged to teach and learn with a wonderful diversity of students, in various subjects on three continents for the past 30 some years. She taught French, English, Social Studies and General Music in the school classroom and piano lessons in many homes, studios, churches and schools. At York University in Toronto, she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) and Bachelor of Education. Prior to those degrees, she completed her ARCT (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto) in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Sacred Music at Briercrest Schools in Caronport, Saskatchewan.

As a pianist, she enjoys accompanying vocal and instrumental students and colleagues. Choral singing is another musical passion. As a teacher, she prioritizes holistic musical literacy and seeks to build collaborative relationships with students and their families that motivate, inspire and empower them on their musical learning journey.