Our Team

  • Olivia Riddell

    President and International Director, Owner

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    Olivia Riddell BA, MYCC, RMT, was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. She is the President and International Director of Music for Young Children, and is the past Chairman of the Board of Conservatory Canada. Olivia began her music studies in Sunshine™ 1. Her private music/piano teachers have been Frances Balodis, Jiri Hlavacek in Ottawa, Ontario, and John Perry in Victoria, British Columbia. Olivia studied piano at St. Thomas University, Minnesota with Jim Callahan, with Antonin Kub­alek at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario and with Douglas Voice at Ottawa University, Ottawa, Ontario. Olivia studied voice with Judy Ritchie in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and with Vickie Iles and Charlotte Stewart in Ottawa, Ontario. She has studied flute with Cathy Rol­lins in Ottawa, Ontario. Having completed her grade X piano, her grade IX voice and her grade VIII flute and all theory required for the Associate level, Olivia has a well-rounded approach to teaching. Olivia began teaching piano privately and MYC when she was 16 years old.

  • David Riddell

    Chief Operating Officer and Owner

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    David Riddell is the COO and Owner of Music for Young Children. David has a degree in Public and International Relations and began his career in Ottawa with Bank One VISA. David is bilingual and was the Marketing Manager to Small Business VISA Accounts before joining the Marketing team at Music for Young Children (MYC). As the Marketing Manager at RBC, David designed, implemented and followed through prospecting/recruiting/marketing campaigns geared to small business and the follow-through involved profiling, assessing the financial needs, managing and dealing with customer concerns on an on-going basis. His experience, enthusiasm, and dedication are fabulous! Once joining MYC, David created a website ad creator tool, the first standard-setting software for the industry. He has also implemented Digital Marketing, Google ad words and re-branding as well as launching a successful advertising campaign for MYC. David is a member of the Canadian Professional Speakers Association (CAPS) and was Treasurer from 2008-2010 and Marketing Director. David works closely with his business mentor with the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) and attends Leadership Dialogues, which is an intensive leadership training course. David sits on the Board for Ottawa Arts Court and is Marketing Chair as well.

  • Susan Stewart

    Office Manager & Human Resources Administrator

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    Susan Stewart has been with MYC since 2009.  Susan was brought in to take care of our Human Resources needs and soon became our Office Manager. She works very closely with Olivia and David to ensure the MYC Head Office meets our legislative responsibilities and is fully staffed and running smoothly. Susan has over 20 years of Human Resources experience and has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bishop's University. Prior to MYC, Susan was the Director of Human Resources for a large information technology company in Ottawa. Susan loves to spend time outdoors whether it is gardening in the summer or skiing in the winter.

  • Marguerite Black

    Shipping & Purchasing Manager

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    Shipping Manager, Marguerite Black, has been working for MYC since 2004. Marguerite is responsible for shipping everything to MYC teachers across North America. We are fortunate to have Marguerite in shipping because she is very well-organized and always thinking ahead to reorder supplies so we don’t run out. Previous to MYC, Marguerite worked at Colonial Furniture for 20 years. Marguerite is a dedicated Dragon Boat paddler for the Carleton Place Canoe Club.

  • Wendy Zalany

    Finance Officer

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    Wendy Zalany is our Finance Officer and has more than 13 years’ experience working in finance as well as a diploma in Executive Business Administration from Willis College where she graduated head of her class. Wendy is responsible for all the accounting at MYC. She was born, raised and still resides in Carleton Place, where she raises her daughter and son with her husband. She is passionate about gardening, cooking, doing outdoor activities and leading a healthy lifestyle.

  • Calvin Lam

    Publishing and Advertising Coordinator

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    Calvin was born and raised in Kanata and is happy to be working in his hometown. Previous to MYC, he worked for Lee Valley for over 13 years as a designer and has experience in marketing, communications and customer service. He studied Graphic Design at George Brown College and Interactive Multimedia at Algonquin College. Calvin keeps himself busy with his wife and 5 children and has a passion for sports, music and movies.

  • Frances Balodis

    Founder — Retired

  • Gunars Balodis

    Founder — Retired

MYC Support

MYC® provides live phone support through our Head Office.  The MYC newsletter also shares teacher ideas, program successes and news.

Teachers are visited once a year at which time the teacher’s class or classes are observed and constructive suggestions and support are offered.  Another form of support is the networking and professional development that occurs between teachers in the same Region (through by-annual meetings, seminars and smaller, localized meetings).