Meet The Musicians

Our musicians are trained in trauma-informed care, songwriting, and practices of empathy and cultural responsiveness. Tap or click on their pictures below to read about their skills and learn why they joined the Lullaby Project.

Ka Wing Chan

Piano, Vocals
kawingc@andrew.cmu.edu
(412) 805-9573
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin

Learning to play the piano since I was 5, music has been a part of my life. It connects each other and heals one’s heart. After the long training of classical piano, I want to explore more possibilities in music and start writing it. Songwriting is like keeping a diary, which records your own special moments, and that's the same as the lullaby project! I’m very excited to be part of it and can’t wait to meet you on this journey!

Sean Andres

Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Vibraphone
sandres@andrew.cmu.edu
(570) 877-4191
Languages: English
Favorite Dessert: Rice Pudding

My earliest memories of music is hearing my mother's voice. From the time I could talk, she would bring me with her to sing in the church choir. Wanting to be like my oldest brother, I started playing drums in second grade. By age 12 I had joined a bagpipe band as a way to explore my heritage through music. This experience led me to playing music for some of the happiest and darkest days in our lives, both at weddings and funerals. From a young age I recognized the importance music played in our lives. Music has taken me around the world and connected me with people from many different ways of life. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting you through sharing the gift of music, even if you've never sung a single note.

Claire Gunsbury

Flute
cgunsbur@andrew.cmu.edu
(218) 838-5601
Languages: English
Favorite Dessert: Coffee Ice Cream

As a young child playing in the woods of Northern Minnesota, I would sing little melodies to myself all throughout the day. My parents introduced me to ’80s hits and orchestral masterpieces, and at the age of ten a shiny silver flute felt natural in my hands. Since those sun-speckled days in the forest, I’ve enjoyed performing solo, chamber, and orchestral works, writing my own “flutings” with looping tracks, and being a part of the Lullaby Project in Colorado. I am tremendously excited to get to know you and help bring the hopes and dreams you have for your child to life through music.

Elana Weiner

Piano
etweiner@andrew.cmu.edu
(330) 933- 1862
Languages: English
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream

After begging my parents to let me begin lessons, I finally started to learn piano at the age of 10. At each lesson, I sat in awe as I watched my piano teacher play so fast that I couldn’t see her fingers move. Over the years, I learned how to train my fingers to play just as fast. I fell in love with how I can float and dance on all 88 keys to create a beautiful sound that brings joy to not just myself, but everyone around. I can’t wait to share my love of piano and music with you to create your own special lullaby!

Olivia Browdy

Flute
obrowdy@andrew.cmu.edu
(321) 352-0278
Languages: English
Favorite Dessert: Waffles

I took my first music class with my mom when I was two years old and have been making music ever since. I began my journey with flute through school and it has been with me to places as close as my own inner thoughts and as far away as Thailand. I am passionate about the power of music and use my voice as a performer, teacher, and administrator to advocate for arts for everyone throughout the community. I am excited to be part of the Lullaby Project team and help you make your own connections with song.

Aaleah Oliver

Vocalist, Poet, Administrator
a.c.oliver@btbsn.org
(201) 313-6749
Languages: English - Native Spanish - Intermediate

“Love is the Message” by Yuusef Dayes and “Vibrations” by Children of Zeus
My name is Aaleah Oliver and I'm a poet, vocalist, arts administrator and world traveller. Poetry and creative writing have been my lifeline for as long as I can remember and it's kept me connected to myself and my community. No matter where I go I will harmonize and I will find a page to explicate on when the moment meets me. This Fall I began a writers group called Writers without Walls (W.w.W) as a way for folks from Pittsburgh and beyond to gain confidence in telling their life shaping stories. I'm also in the process of forming an interfaith choir for people of all ages. Music is a powerful medium for storytelling and I'm excited to explore this through the Lullaby Project. I'm excited to meet you!

Kyle Steindler

Euphonium, Keys
kylesteindler@gmail.com
(571) 606-8881
Languages: English
Favorite Dessert: Jello Salad

My love of music started as a child watching television shows such as The Wiggles and Teletubbies. As a teenager I grew to love the music of Star Wars, Disney movies, and Rock n’ Roll. My first instrument was the piano, followed by the euphonium, and then the guitar in an attempt to emulate my first musical hero Eddie Van Halen. I enjoy composing and performing rock, pop, and electronic music and helping people bring their musical projects to life. I can’t wait to help you create your own special lullaby!

Beleyou Kebede

Singer Songwriter
bkebede@andrew.cmu.edu
404-536-0551
Languages: English
Favorite Dessert:
Cheesecake 🍰

Hi Ya'll, my name is Beleyou! Born and raised in the home of R&B (ATL!!), I'm a singer-songwriter whose music is rooted in r&b, hip hop and pop influences.

I believe every single person has a message to share with the world — and songs are just another way to do it. I'm most excited to help bring your stories to life and collaborate to build something beautiful to pass on for generations to come. I hope you walk away from the lullaby project having had fun and knowing that each experience in your life is special, and that your journey is worth sharing with your loved ones. Thank you for letting me be a part of this moment with you, can't wait!

Kaitlin Zadow

Bassoonist
kzadow@andrew.cmu.edu
Languages: English
(713) 502-0241
Favorite Dessert: Vanilla ice cream

From even my earliest memories, music has played a huge role in my life. Growing up, I
remember being the child who would constantly sing to herself and teach little tunes to my
younger brothers. I started on bassoon at age 11, and playing the instrument became something
that I enjoyed more than anything else. Growing up with social anxiety, making music with
others became my main source of building meaningful connections as well as fostering my
growth and development throughout my teenage years. Since then, music and the bassoon have
been a constant in my life through my hardest experiences. I’m so excited to get to know you,
share my love of music, and take part in this experience with you!

Monique Mead

Faculty Administrator
Violinist and Sound Practitioner
mmead@andrew.cmu.edu
(412) 670-1513
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish
Favorite Dessert: German plum tart (Pflaumenkuchen)

There has been music in my life since before I can remember. Between church songs, children’s songs, and lullabies, music seems to have accompanied every part of my childhood. At age seven, I fell in love with the sound of the violin and have played it ever since. It has accompanied me on international tours and has been with me through the toughest times of my life. I am a firm believer in the healing power of music and I enjoy creating restorative experiences in my Sound Healing practice at the Awareness & Wellness Center. As a mother of two, and in my role as CMU professor directing the Lullaby Project, I feel honored to be connecting with you and can’t wait to discover what we will create together!