Claire Speed

When I first learned the story behind Room 217 — how Bev and her siblings brought music to their father's bedside — it resonated deeply with me. Music was the constant backdrop of my North Toronto childhood, and those same sounds later shaped the playlists I created while caring for my parents in their final years. More recently, MUSIC CARE CONNECT's musical library became an invaluable resource as I assisted my husband, a mobile dentist, during patient visits in homes and care facilities. I'm honoured to be part of an organization that brings music to so many as a unique and profoundly effective standard of care.

Claire began her career teaching music in Bogotá, Colombia, before teaching with the Catholic school board in Toronto. She then moved into arts administration, including 15 years as Director of Education with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, along with contract work for organizations such as Esprit Orchestra, Sistema Toronto, and The Glenn Gould Foundation.

In 2011, Claire completed her MBA at the Schulich School of Business, then became a full-time caregiver to her mother — an experience that profoundly shaped both her personal and professional life. In 2019–2020, she was introduced to Bev Foster through a mutual colleague, Lee Bartel, a founding board member of Room 217. That connection led to Claire and Bev collaborating on the initial design of the MUSIC CARE CERTIFY program.



Claire also holds a Master of Music and a Bachelor of Music/Education, and is currently working on her first literary memoir.