Our Team's Mission

Our mission is to create truly inclusive community through music, and to create meaningful social connections for anyone living with a disability. We create custom musical instruments based on each person's needs, interests, and abilities, and offer inclusive music sessions so that everyone is able to connect with a musical community.

RYAN MCCAUL, Founder

The Origin Story

Inclusive Instruments was developed while founder Ryan McCaul worked as a Developmental Service Worker supporting individuals with disabilities in their homes. It was obvious how important the role of music was in the lives of those he supported. Using his experience in programming, he created custom digital musical instruments to better suit the needs of those he supported. Bringing the idea to Northwestern University, Inclusive Instruments developed into a year and a half long instrument design project with local music programs. Bringing the idea back to Canada, Inclusive Instruments is currently creating custom Instruments with Participation House London. Inclusive Instruments is now looking to support multiple music programs, individuals, or community organizations who support individuals living with a disability.

YOUR TEAM

RYAN MCCAUL

FOUNDER

Ryan McCaul is a Music Educator and Inclusive Designer based in the Toronto area. He holds a masters degree in Music Education and Graduate certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He is an Ontario College of Teachers certified teacher in Instrumental and Vocal Music, and holds a Bachelor of Music, Honours specialization in music education Degree from Western University in London, Ontario.

He has been lead teacher and president of AMPED, a music mentorship program teaching music to incarcerated youth in the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center in Chicago, Illinois. He also taught music and interdisciplinary and inclusion art at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Chicago, Illinois.

IAN GREGOR

ENGINEER & FOUNDER

Ian Gregor is a graduate of the Space Engineering program at Lassonde School of Engineering, located on the York University campus. He graduated with Specialized Honors in this field, and has previously worked with the Canadian Space Agency and York University on CubeSat projects. Throughout his years of study he taught robotics to a number of groups, ranged from 8 to 30+ years of age. His passion for learning, teaching, and engineering drive him to pursue a variety of projects, where he designs, builds, tests adaptive technologies.

ANTHONY NUFRIO

LEAD TEACHER

Anthony Nufrio is an Ontario College of Teachers certified teacher and musician based in the Toronto Area. He has received a bachelor with honors in English and Philosophy from the University of Toronto, and a bachelor of Education from York University. Anthony currently teaches English with the Toronto District School Board. 

Anthony has been teaching music for almost a decade across music academies in the Greater Toronto Area. He is a lifelong musician that specializes in guitar and music production. Anthony also has extensive experience teaching people with special needs, and holds additional special education qualifications. Anthony leads the Inclusive Instruments Music Sessions

JUSTINE CRUZ

LEAD ASSEMBLY TECHNICIAN

Justine Cruz is a Senior Technical Specialist and is responsible for the Executive Technical Support Services at Canadian Tire Corporate. He received his Computer Systems Technology - Networking Diploma from Centennial College in Scarborough, Ontario. During his time at Canadian Tire Corporate, he has been part of many major Company-Wide Technical Projects. Justine also has a passion for building custom computers/computer systems and has been building them for over 10 years. He is a tinkerer by nature and is well versed in component soldering, fabrication, problem-solving, and various skills/trades.