Colleen and Akiva are alumni of Theatre 20's Composium, Acting Up Stage's Noteworthy program, and the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project at Northwestern University in Chicago, where they were mentored by Craig Carnelia, Marcy Heisler and Lari White. The duo workshopped their musicals Prom Queen and Rumspringa Break! through the Canadian Music Theatre Project at Sheridan College. Colleen has received grants from FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Records), the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts for her compositions with Akiva as well as for pop recordings with her former band Petty Victories and her current solo project. Colleen's music has been featured on TV and films both nationally and internationally.