ABOUT TONIA - DETAILS

SUMMARY OF CREDENTIALS – PROFESSIONAL LIFE
Tonia has enjoyed a career of service and achievements delivering successful stakeholder- and client-valued training, management, administration, facilitation, bookkeeping, communications, event production and human resource services to founders, owners, executives, administrators, managers, supervisors, staff, clients, youth, and the public in non-profit, educational, corporate, faith, arts, public, and private sectors.

SUMMARY OF CREDENTIALS – CREATIVE  & SPIRITUAL LIFE
​Tonia has practiced, taught and performed singing, improvisational acting, dreamwork, shadow and inner awareness, energy and sound healing through private sessions, in-the-moment encounters, and various projects and events. She has been a lifelong ascension path practitioner, dream-keeper, singer, percussionist and musical performer offering interactive music, singing, chanting, meditation, and sound healing events and performances in the Greater Boston area, nationally and internationally. In 1970, with guidance and instruction from her late mother, she began using dreams as a vehicle for self-discovery. In 1997, she began the study of improvisational acting. In 2003 she joined True Story Theater (a non-profit Playback Theatre company based in Arlington MA) as an actor/musician and later became an officer on their Board of Directors. In 2016 Tonia published her first book, "Sweet Water Shadow Woman, A Memoir" under the pen name Toni Kelleher.
​ 
Singing: The Indigos, Goddess Gospel, Temple of Wisdom Choir, Root-Wing-Ecstasy, Two Much, Improvelocity, East Coast Chant, Worldwide Didgeridoo Meditation, Sound Healing & Dream Song channel.

Improvisational Theater: True Story Theater; Iseeu Theater; Boston Transformational Theater; Indescribable Improv; Open Hearth; Dramatic Insight; Boston Medical Center Drama of Medical Encounters; The T.A.L.K. Project. 

Teaching improv and Playback skills to adults, teens and children: True Story Theater client & public workshops; Workshop ”Singing the Story” at Playback Theatre conferences 2011, 2012, 2015; Iseeu Theater Training Project for People of Color; Teen Empowerment staff & teen leaders; Boston Medical Center Expressive Arts Program for Cancer Survivors; Project HIP-HOP; City Life Vida Urbana staff; Bikes Not Bombs Girls in Action Program; Citi-Arts Teen Leader Program; Close to Home: Preventing Youth Dating Violence; Bay State Prison Lifers Group; Women Ex-Offenders Recovery Project; Riverside Theater Girls’ Improv; Hyde Square Task Force Teen Awareness of Sexual Harassment; Project Rethink Teen Empowerment Program, New Orleans LA. 

Dreamwork: Learned and practiced Jungian-based dream interpretation as a pathway to self-examination, healing of trauma, discovery of spiritual identity, and identifying ego or shadow interference and fear-based diversions. Participated in and led Edgar Cayce dream study groups and workshops; led private study groups and numerous workshops and talks in the New England area; created Dream Song©, an intuitive dream interpretation and guidance method using song and sound. 

Healing Modalities: Shamanic Sound & Energy Vibrational Healing, Johrei Divine Light Healing, Magnified Healing, Oneness Blessing Deeksha Giver, Transmission Meditation, VortexHealing® Divine Energy Healing, Channel for the Divine. 
EDUCATION (Degrees, Certificates, Studied with)
  • Ordained Minister, Universal Life Church, 2009
  • M.A., Organizational Management, University of Phoenix, 2000. GPA 3.97 (of 4.0)
  • B.A., Legal Services, University of Massachusetts at Boston - College of Public and Community Service (CPCS), 1978; Received CPCS Book Award for Outstanding Legal Ability. 
  • Graduate, Coach U Inc.1998 (Life Coach)
  • ​Healing modalities created or learned 1990 to present: NurturEmpathy©, Johrei Divine Light Healing, Magnified Healing; Melchizedek Method Levels 1,2,3; Vibrational Sound and Energy Healing; Oneness Blessing Deeksha, Transmission Meditation group leader; VortexHealing® Divine Energy Healing, Sacred Life Fellowship (SLF) intuitive channel development. 
  • Numerous and ongoing professional development seminars, conferences, leadership and skill training programs; self-directed learning and creative skills development such as: Spiritual studies with Mary Wilkins Range, Sri Tilak Raj Khanna, Rev. Dr. Lena Foggie, Nasrin Safai, Maureen Moss; Improvisational Acting classes with Daena Giardella; Improvisational Singing workshops with Phillip Hamilton; Rhiannon and Joey Blake (singers with Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra and WeBe3 & faculty at Berklee College of Music, Boston). Manifest Your Mission Leadership Training; Accelerated NLP Practitioner Certification Training; Understanding Transgender; Active Bystander Training; SLF Spiritual Psychic Development & Self Transformation. 
BOARDS OF DIRECTORS & ADVISORY BOARDS (AB)
  • True Story, Inc., Treasurer (2005-present)
  • Playback North America (2018-present) AB 
  • Temple of Wisdom (chaired various committees) (1986-2000) 
  • Theosophical Society in Boston, Treasurer (1985-1991) 

MEMBERSHIPS
  • True Story Theater - actor, musician, conductor, facilitator, admin manager, board member (TrueStoryTheater.com & TrueStoryTraining.com) (2003-present)
  • Playback North America - BIPOC Affinity Group (2020); Playback Musicians Facebook co-Moderator (international support & project group) (2012-present)
  • BIPOC in Playback Affinity Group, co-Moderator (2020-2021)
  • Transformative Language Arts Network (2018-present)
  • Transmission Meditation Group Facilitator (share-international.org) (2013-present)
  • Johrei Healing Fellowship, practitioner (www.johrei.com) (1990-present)
  • Path to Enlightenment Mystery School, Society Member (2009-present) (https://wavesofbliss.com/about-us-2/)
  • Merlin Lineage of VortexHealing® Divine Energy Healing, practitioner (2015-present)
  • Theosophical Society in Boston (www.tsboston.org) (1985-2009)
  • The Center at Westwoods Practitioners Group (2008-2020)
  • Sacred Life Fellowship (2023-present)

PUBLICATIONS
  • BOOK: Sweet Water Shadow Woman, a Memoir by Toni Kelleher, prose and poetry published October 2016 in eBook and paperback formats
  • ARTICLES: Singing The Story & Stand and Look at the Teller published in June 2013 issue of Interplay, the IPTN (International Playback Theatre Network) Journal; translated into Russian and published October 2013 (confirmation pending) in Russian Journal of Practical Psychology.
  • GRAPHIC: “One 26,000 Year Galactic Day & Night”, p.35 in Surfing Realities by James Foster (2013) 
  • POEMS: Breath Dance in Tracing The Infinite, a collection of poetry published August 2004 by International Library of Poetry; collection of poems throughout Sweet Water Shadow Woman, a Memoir by Toni Kelleher.
  • WAKE UP! WORKS.org: eNewsletters & Website Blog.
  • 9 MUSIC CDs, MP3s: East Coast Chant: East-West Live, Live I, II, III, IV; Songs for Stanton; Renditions 1, Renditions 2; Tonia & Friends’ Improv as a Spiritual Practice. 
  • 2 MEDITATION CDs: Body Systems Meditation; Bowls 1.
  • 2 CASSETTES: Tunneling: Stories narrated by Tonia Pinheiro; “Goddess Gospel” a’capella singing group
  • 45 RPM VINYL: Taboo & Je Vous Aime Beaucoup by The Indigos, 1969, Gamble & Huff Productions, Philadelphia
  • DVD & VHS: SAY BROTHER, WGBH-TV Ch.2 Guest Music Artists: Singer with “The Indigos” (1969)
  • 2 VHS: Singer with TEMPLE OF WISDOM CONCERT CHOIR Christmas Concert; Cosmic Cabaret

MEDIA APPEARANCES  (Podcasts, Radio Shows, Video Projects)
  • ONENESS & WELLNESS show on Dedham Public TV, guest on 3-part "Healing Power of . . ." series, Sept 2015
  • BLOGTALKRADIO.COM Radio show host “Sanctuary of Divine Expression” 2014-15
  • PLAY BY PLAY Somerville Cable Access TV: reading of “Namesake”; role: mother Louise James (2013)
  • RISING CLASS: My short video: (no longer available) (2012)
  • PLANETARY SPIRIT Internet Radio Show: “My Life in an Hour” Guest Speaker (2011)
  • ALCHEMY OF LIGHT Internet Radio Show: “Finding Your Truth and Sticking With It” Guest Speaker (2011)
  • NEW ENGLAND ART SCENE Podcast & Interview: Improvelocity (2007)
  • SAY BROTHER WGBH-TV Ch.2 Guest Music Artists: Singer with “The Indigos”; On DVD & VHS (1969)​
CLIENTS & EMPLOYERS (performances, training, consulting, projects, event management, HR management)
  • Advocates, Inc.
  • Arlington, Belmont, Woburn, and Concord-Carlisle Adult Education
  • Association for Research and Enlightenment - Boston Chapter
  • Bay State Correctional Center - Growing Together/Improv Training for Lifers
  • Bikes Not Bombs Girls Program – Improv Training for Leadership Development
  • Black Indian Inn
  • Boston Medical Center & BU School of Medicine
  • Brand IQ
  • Center at Westwoods
  • Chapman Consulting
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Public Welfare, Social Services, Office of Employee Relations, Independent Training Contractor)
  • Davis Publishing
  • Dedham Savings Bank​
  • Family Health Delivery Systems (Kids’ Camp) 
  • Federation of Damanhur, Italy (Primi Passi performance)
  • First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton
  • Foundation for the Attainment of God Unity (Transcription services)
  • Hartford Seminary
  • Harvard Business School OPM21 (Event Manager-10th reunion kickoff day)
  • Harvard Graduate School of Education (Act for Equity project)
  • Holyoke Soldiers' Home
  • Hyde Square Task Force (Teen Improv for Community Awareness Project)
  • IAPSRS Conference (International Association for Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Services) 
  • Intentional Self, LLC
  • International Playback Theatre Network (Montreal conference)
  • Kennebunk (Maine) High School – Improv Training
  • Kit Clark Senior Services
  • Lesley University
  • MarketingFirst
  • ​Mass College of Liberal Arts
  • MediMedia - Event Manager, Scavenger Hunt
  • M.I.T. Office of Minority Education
  • NEHRA (North East Human Resource Assn)
  • Old Colony YMCA
  • Playback North America
  • Polaroid Corporation
  • Project HIP-HOP
  • Project Rethink
  • Randolph Intergenerational Community Center
  • Riverside Theater Works & City of Boston (Girls Improv Theater)
  • ​Rochester Institute of Technology
  • ​Sacred Light Fellowship
  • Simmons College
  • Smith College
  • Sundance/Newbridge Publishing
  • StageOne Market Research
  • Stoughton MA School System
  • Temple of Wisdom
  • Third Space Playback Edmonton (Alberta Canada)
  • True Story Theater
  • U.Mass Lowell
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Want Ad Publications
  • Zing! Foundation / ArtsRising 
PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES
This list does not include numerous training and policy presentations while in organizational positions, and many public events, performances and workshops presented by Wake Up! Works or True Story Theater.  (__) is total participants, and (year).
  • Boston Medical Center (Cancer & Sickle Cell Support program), "Finding the Inner Healer" 2 workshops; creator & Facilitator. Zoom (20) (2024)
  • The Sacred Light Fellowship, "Ho'oponopono from God", guest presenter. Zoom (20) (2023)
  • BIPOC Presence of Essence, 6-month Wake Up! Works study group, creator & Facilitator, Zoom (10) (2023)
  • Boston Medical Center (Cancer & Sickle Cell Support program), "Finding the Inner Healer" 3 workshops; creator & Facilitator. Zoom (18) (2023)
  • Mass College of Liberal Arts, TRIO new student orientation "The Journey of You", creator & co-Facilitator, (38) (2022)
  • Playback North America Conference, Understand JABSS workshop, creator & Facilitator. Zoom (20) (2022)
  • Third Space Playback, Edmonton Alberta CN, creator & Facilitator. Singback (8) Song & Movement (12) Zoom (2022)
  • First Unitarian Universalist Society Newton, Exploring Identity workshop, creator & Facilitator, Zoom. (18) (2021)
  • O’Donnell Middle School students, Mindful Meditation 8 week class. Facilitator, Stoughton MA (10) (2018)
  • Courageous Conversations Upstander Trainings, co-Facilitator, Milton MA. (120) (2018)
  • IWWG (International Women's Writing Guild) Retreat, Monologue Performance. Medfield MA (53) (2018)
  • RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Diversity Theater, Intro to Playback Theatre class. Facilitator, Rochester NY (12) (2017)
  • TLAN (Transformative Language Arts Network) Power of Words Conf. Playback Actor (120), Soul Song (9), Sound Bath (12) Facilitator. Saco ME (2017)
  • Radical Dharma "Call to Healing" mini-retreat, Sound Healing Facilitator. Brookline MA (50) (2017)
  • United Technologies Corp. Diversity Theater workshop, co-Facilitator with Chapman Consulting. Farmington CT (110) (2017)
  • Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, Bystander Intervention Workshop, co-Facilitator. Boston MA (22) (2017)
  • ISBCC Mosque, Bystander Intervention Workshop, co-Creator, Facilitator. Roxbury MA (65) (2017)
  • RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Inclusion Program, 4 sessions, Actor, co-Facilitator, Rochester NY (110) (2016)
  • Winchester Multicultural Network, “Building Community After the Election” Playback Workshop, co-Facilitator. Winchester MA (62) (2016)
  • Harvard Graduate School of Education Act for Equity “awareness of micro-aggressions” & audience discussion, Actor. Cambridge MA (24) (2016)
  • International Playback Theater Conference, Singing the Story workshop, creator & co-Facilitator. Montreal  Quebec (17) (July 2015)
  • Sanctuary of MiToKa – Co-creating the New Year with your Soul, co-creator/presenter. Westwood MA (16) (2015)
  • Sanctuary of MiToKa – Moving Between The Realms, co-creator/presenter. Westwood MA (20) (2014)
  • Winchester Multicultural Network, 4 Playback events for Community Engagement, Conductor. (240) (2013-14)
  • Lesley U: Creating Believable Characters, Critical Pedagogy class, Guest Instructor. Cambridge MA (15) (2013)
  • FHDS Smart from the Start Summer Camp for Kids Improv Class, Facilitator. North Easton MA. (23) (2013)
  • Boston Medical Center, Expressive Arts for Cancer Survivors, Facilitator of improv & Playback. Boston MA (48) (2013)
  • Dedham Savings Bank, Wellness Day, Sound Healing Facilitator. Dedham MA (55) (2013)
  • Project HIP-HOP, Artist in Residence Program, Improvisational theater training, Facilitator. Roxbury MA (10) (2013)
  • City Life Vida Urbana, Iseeu Theater Training for staff & volunteers, 13 wks, Facilitator. Jamaica Plain MA. (22) (2013)
  • Birth 2012 Boston, development team, event producer, presenter, facilitator. Arlington MA (130), Westwood MA (45) (2012)
  • Center at Westwoods, Day of Healing & Joy, co-producer, presenter. Westwood MA (2011) (2012)
  • Citi Performing Arts Center, Playback Workshop for Teens. Facilitator. Boston MA (35) (2012)
  • Playback North America Festival, Singing the Story Workshop, co-Facilitator. Washington D.C. (8) (2012)
  • Lesley U: Playback Performance Stories from Graduates of Masters in Expressive Therapies. Conductor. Cambridge MA (75) (2012) 
  • Madison Park H.S. “About Playback” Talk & Demo. Guest Speaker. Roxbury, MA. (70)  (2012)
  • Sharon Women’s Circle. Spiritual Studies & Playback Skills. Sharon MA (5) (2011, 2012)
  • Playback North America Festival, Singing the Story workshop. Co-Facilitator. (35); Actor, True Story performance. (150 audience) Cambridge MA. (2011)
  • ​Lesley U: Wise Women Conference, Keynote Speaker. Cambridge MA (40) (2011)
  • Lesley U: Management Skills Training, Facilitator. Cambridge MA (9 managers) (2011)
  • Lesley U: Empowerment Retreat for Faculty & Staff of Color. Facilitator. Cambridge MA (12) (2010)
  • Lesley U: Art & Activism Conference, Prison-Work Panel. Speaker. Cambridge MA (120) (2010)
  • Bikes Not Bombs Girls in Action Program, Improv Workshops. Facilitator. Jamaica Plain MA (15 girls; 2 staff) (2009-2011)
  • Wayside Youth and Family Support Network Day Center, Choices and Changes: Using Playback for teens to empower and use their voices to advocate for themselves in positive ways. Conductor/Facilitator. Framingham MA (40 teens, 6 staff). (2008)
  • Smith College, Anti-Racism Symposium for New Students. Exploring racism and empowerment through stories of personal experiences. Northampton MA. Conductor. (230) (2008)
  • Simmons College School of Social Work, Academy to Undo Racism. Open communication, build trust with Playback Theatre. Actor, Facilitator. Boston MA (16) (2008)
  • T.A.L.K. Project. Tell, Act, Listen, Know for teens and adults to explore and build racial trust and community bonds by sharing personal stories through improvisational theater and intentional dialogue. Researched, wrote, submitted 7 grant proposals; 2 approved, plus donations = $6500 received. Produced, managed, directed two events. Boston MA (60) (2007-2008)
  • Teen Leadership Program workshop: What Have You Learned About Being A Leader? Using Playback to explore and express learnings. Co-Trainer. Cambridge MA (14 teens, 3 staff)  (2007)
  • Smith College, Anti-Racism Symposium for New Students. Exploring issues of racism and empowerment through vignettes of personal experiences of students and faculty. Facilitator. Northampton MA (180) (2007)
  • Project RETHINK, 4 day training for youth leadership development: learning to listen, to talk about feelings through stories, to respect stories and the teller; making friends. Co-Developer & Trainer. New Orleans LA (16) (2007)
  • NEHRA (North East Human Resource Association), Bystander Awareness and Action: A Training Tool for Workplace Inclusion & Retention. Using Playback to illustrate scenarios (98) & Table Facilitator (6). Dedham, MA (2007)
  • National Storytelling Network Conference, “Playback Skills for Storytelling” 2 day workshop. Co-facilitator. Pittsburgh PA (16) (2006)
  • Art for Social Healing Conference, “Mapping the Field of Art for Social Change”. Group Facilitator. Boston MA (55) (2006)
  • Kennebunk High School, Playback Skills Training for students. Facilitator. Kennebunk ME (42) (2006)
  • Dream Year 2006 Women’s Conference: Living Your Dreams - Leaving a Legacy. “Breaking the Spell” workshop developer & Facilitator (63) and Table Facilitator (10). Framingham MA (2006)
  • Riverside Theater Works, Girls’ Improv Theater After School Program. Facilitator. Hyde Park, MA (18 girls) (2006)
  • Playback Workshop for NVC (Non-Violent Communications) students, Tiburon CA. (30) (2006)
  • M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Gathering of Women: Speaking Our Minds, Claiming Our Power. Group Process Facilitator. (2 days) Cambridge MA (20). (2006)
  • Bay State Correctional Center Lifer’s Program – Improv Acting classes. Facilitator. Norfolk MA (12 men) (2005-2007)
  • Transforming Money Conference, Playback for Social Change Activists.co-Facilitator. Petaluma CA. (50) (2005)
  • NEHRA (North East Human Resource Association) 2005 Invention Convention.  Ethical Leadership and Governance: Breaking the Spell: Emperors Awaken from Spells Cast by Wily Scoundrels and Re-Claim Integrity! Workshop Creator, Facilitator. Providence RI (34) (2005)
  • U.Mass Lowell, Merger Assessment-Planning-Vision Meeting. Using Playback Theatre to facilitate and deepen discussions. Lowell MA (30) (2005)
  • Metrowest Energy and Sound Healing Circle (8 months), Framingham MA. Facilitator. (80) (2005)
  • Hyde Square Task Force, 6 week Improv Acting class for teens’ initiative for awareness of sexual harassment in community with theater. Jamaica Plain MA (8) (2005)
  • Healing and Expressive Arts Festival, “Releasing Walk” Labyrinth Ceremony leader. (65). Dream Song Singer (20 clients) Glens Falls NY (July and October, 2005)
  • M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Office of Minority Education off-site Mini-Retreat, Dedham MA. Facilitator. (5) (2005)
  • Deep Democracy Conference, Playback Theatre presentations to deepen discussions. Co-facilitator; 1 crisis intervention. Blue Mountain Lake NY (42) (2005)
  • Dream Year 2005 Women’s Conference: Purpose, Passion, Power – Finding Your Dream. Healing Center Small Group Leader; Led Closing Ceremony.  Framingham MA (65). (2005)
  • Boston Medical Center and Boston Healthy Start Consortium "The Drama of Medical Encounters". Research, development, and collaborative training for providers and patients of women’s health care using theater as a training tool. (3 sessions) Boston MA (170) (2004-2005)
  • Grantmakers without Borders, annual Conference: Dialogues Across the Divide of Power and Wealth, workshop co-facilitator. (24); Playback Theater performance. Miami FL (150) (2004)
  • Youth Philanthropy Worldwide Conference, Change IS Possible: Activism for Young People in the Global Community. Playback Theater performance (50); 2 crisis interventions with youth. Miami FL (2004)
  • NADT (National Association of Drama Therapists) 25th Annual Conference workshop “True Stories: A Playback Theater Workshop for Drama Therapists”. Co-designer and co-presenter.  Newport RI (25) (2004)
  • WIND South & East (Networking for Unemployed Professionals), featured Speaker (85). “Breaking the Rules” small group 6-week series (12), developer & Facilitator. Framingham MA (2004) 
  • Federation of Damanhur, Primi Passi group performance, co-creator & singer. Vidracco (Torino) Italy (120) (2002) 
  • IAPSRS (International Association for Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Services) Annual International Conference – “Stigma, Oppression and Empowerment in the Mental Health Field”. Workshop co-designer and co-presenter.  Detroit, MI (65) (1996)
  • Hartford Seminary, Native American Spirit and Spirituality series, “The Dreamtime” Guest Speaker. Hartford CT (150) (1993) 
  • Pastoral Counseling Center, "Gifts from the Dream Circle" Guest Speaker & Facilitator. evening talk (70). Full day workshop (54). West Hartford CT (1993)
  • National Conference of Native American Women: Coming Full Circle. Panel Presenter (350), Workshop facilitator (30). Hartford, CT (1992)