Carla Friend is the Founder & Executive Director of Tkiya, an organization with the mission of creating joyful Jewish connection through participatory music experiences. She discovered her Jewish identity through music and started Tkiya to help others do the same. Through Tkiya, Carla reaches 15,000 people per year with her unique methodology of Jewish education and engagement through music. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Math from Ithaca College and a Masters Degree in Music Education from NYU.

Carla brings Tkiya’s methodology to educators around the country through cohort learning and conference workshops. She is a core educator at the two leading Jewish music conferences, Hava Nashira and Songleader Boot Camp. Carla also presents at many other conferences such as NewCAJE, Institute for Southern Jewish Life, Jewish Belonging Summit, Women of Reform Judaism, and others.

Carla is a 2018 recipient of the Young Pioneers Award from the Jewish Education Project, a 2019 recipient of 36 Under 36 from the Jewish Week, was in UpStart Venture Accelerator Cohort 11, the Institute of Jewish Executive Leadership, is on the board of JPro New York, and hosts a JKids Radio show called "Tkiya Town". Check out her album of family-friendly Jewish music called "Challalalah".