Over the years, Cynthia has studied piano, flute, bassoon, oboe, voice and ‘ukulele. After completing her Grade Ten Conservatory certificate in piano, she pursued a university honours degree in music (piano) and a diploma in arts/non-profit management. She spent the next two decades working in communications, fund development, and administration, and has returned to music education in the last twelve years. Cynthia is pursuing a PhD in Community Music at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, where she also recently completed a masters in Community Music, as well. Her research interests presently include midlife musicking, amateur community ensembling, women, well-being, and 'ukulele. 

Cynthia currently provides instruction to students from ages five through to nonagenarians, with a focus on adult learners. This includes private lessons, workshops, classes (including the unique Royal City Ukulele Ensemble adult learning program, now in its tenth season), and custom group sessions/workshops in Guelph and nationally/internationally. Cynthia is contract teaching faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Music and has been a sessional lecturer at the University of Guelph. She is founder and director of Guelph’s annual community ‘ukulele festival, Royal City Uke Fest. She also performs occasionally as a solo artist as well as half of Transit Lounge (ukulele & bass duo).