Grown-Up Chickpeas
Cecilia G. Caballero (Owner & Director)
Cecilia G. Caballero is the owner, founder and director of The Golden Chickpea Center. She is a licensed psychologist, with a degree in Early Childhood Clinical Psychology and she has experience working with children of all ages and backgrounds. Prior to coming to the U.S., she owned and operated a successful family play center in Barcelona, Spain. She is multilingual (Spanish, Italian, and English), and uses her international perspective to help shape a multicultural environment at The Chickpea.
As a mother of two, she knows the challenges of raising a family and the experience of sometimes feeling alone and in need of help. She created the Golden Chickpea as a means of helping parents connect and support their children and each other.
Click to view Cecilia's Resume
Amanda Word (Site Coordinator & Art Instructor)
Amanda Word is an artist, children's book illustrator, and mother of two. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in linguistics and has extensive experience working with children. Her passion has always been making art and inspiring kids to create by any means possible. She illustrated the children's book, Whiny Whiny Rhino along with her father (under the name "McBoop").
Special Guest Instructors
The Golden Chickpea proudly collaborates with many local talents throughout the year to create exciting and fun learning experiences for you and your little ones! Be sure to check our seasonal calendar to find out about their classes, workshops or special events at the center.
Erin (Yoga Instructor)
Erin made her way to Boston from the mountains of Montana. Although she always enjoyed movement and yoga, it wasn't until experiencing busy city life that she realized how necessary it was. Erin's enjoyment of yoga soon turned into a passion, as did her 200 hour teacher trainings as well as the art of assisting training at Down Under Yoga. Erin attributes much of her compassionate technique to the teachers who have influenced her teaching style, such as Barbara Benagh, Ame Wren, Natasha Rizopoulos. Erin's gentle nature always drew her into professions focusing on child development and caregiving. She knew children could benefit from yogic movement and breathing and pursued a specialized training to assist children in connecting with this practice. Since her trainings, Erin has taught and assisted both children and adults. Erin focuses her classes around rejuvenation, relaxation, and empowerment and welcomes all levels and abilities to come join her.
Nicole Frederick (Musical Guest)
Nicole Frederick completed her Bachelors in Music Education at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in New York. After graduation, Nicole became a Teaching Fellow at Bridge Boston Charter School in Dorchester, MA. She is now a Music Specialist and working toward her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Specialization in Music Therapy at Lesley University. She allows her understanding of human development, as well as her teaching and music therapy training, to inform her work when leading groups. Nicole's primary goals are for children to develop connection with their caregivers, introduce early developmental music skills, and of course, grow a love of music in the lives of all who attend! She is excited to bring StrongwaterStudios musical playgroups to The Golden Chickpea Center, and hopes to see you there!
Katie McD (Musical Guest)
Originally from Galway, Ireland, Katie McD moved to Boston where she studied voice at Berklee College of Music and established herself as part of the Boston music scene. Her journey to America provided inspiration while the supportive community helped Katie become a standout in the Boston songwriter community. Katie McD has performed at Symphony Hall, The United Nations Consulate Ball, and the Guinness Fleadh. In addition to working on her own projects, she wrote and performed music for Marina Carr’s Irish play The Bog of Cats and for Lindsay Pinchbeck’s Stories of the Fairy Folk. She also worked on the soundtrack to Director Stephen Croke’s movie, The Busker. Katie's extensive experience working with children and passion for music creates at atmosphere that inspires everyone to sing and dance along! You can find out more about Katie and her music at: http://katiemcd.com/wordpress/