Carolyn Daniels
Arts and Education Director
Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA
Carolyn is a passionate educator with over two decades of experience inspiring learners of all ages through creativity, technology, and the arts. She holds two master’s degrees in Elementary Education from Lesley College and the University of St. Joseph, where she earned a 4.0 GPA and received the Master of Arts Achievement Award in 2016. Carolyn is certified through the State of Connecticut and has specialized in educational technology integration across classrooms and communities.
As the Arts and Education Program Director at the Meriden YMCA since 2007, she leads the Meriden Youth Theatre and oversees programs in dance, music, and art. A dedicated innovator, she has also served as an Educational Technology Consultant, offering professional development and STEM instruction statewide. She currently oversees the Adaptive and Pathfinders Diabetes camps at Mountain Mist Day Camp.
Previously, Carolyn spent 16 years at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, where she pioneered a 1:1 iPad program and taught middle school humanities and science. Her work has been featured in publications such as Best Classroom Management Practices for Reaching All Learners, and she was honored with the Scott Foresman National Teacher Award in 2000.
Outside the classroom, Carolyn love to swim, bike, run, play pool, sing and participate in theatre—continuing to bring her love of learning and the arts to life.
Maureen Ruhe
Homeschool Enrichment Instructor
Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA
Maureen Ruhe has been a part of music and theatre for as long as she can remember. After beginning violin at age 3, and performing in musicals starting in middle school, went on to study both at Ithaca College. Maureen has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama with a minor in violin performance and a focus in Musical Theater. She received her Suzuki violin training and certification in First Steps in Music Training at the Hartt School of Music.
Maureen taught violin and Early Childhood Music at Bethwood Suzuki school, where she also served as the String Director. She later opened a music studio in her home. She has been a part of countless musicals not just with Meriden Youth Theatre, but also working with the Act 2 Theatre, Ivoryton Playhouse, Hartford Children’s Theatre, Hartford Stage, The Whitney Players Theatre Company, Connecticut Family Theatre, and The Kitchen Theatre as an actress, violinist, music director, director and assistant director. Maureen joined the YMCA homeschool team in 2024 and enjoys teaching theatre, music, cooking and the occasional stem class. She is also the director of the theatre program at Holy Trinity School in Wallingford.