About Us
Maracas Entertainment has been enchanting young audiences for over 25 years. Led by Allison, affectionately known as Ally Wally, the company offers vibrant Caribbean music performances that invite children to explore colorful rhythms and traditional dances of the islands.
Allison "Ally Wally" St. Martin takes an innovative approach to Children's music by spicing it up with Caribbean rhythms, educating lyrics and fascinating stories. Her mission is to teach children how to be imaginative and to explore their fantasies without being condescending.
allison c. st. martin / ally wally tales
Twenty-five years ago, Allison St. Martin decided to put away her keyboards as a Computer Programmer, in exchange for the maracas and paintbrushes of an Artist Performer. She is a super talented songbird whose greatest fans are children. She's taken a new approach to Children's music by spicing it up with Caribbean rhythms, educating lyrics, fascinating stories, entertaining and encouraging children to dance, sing-along, and to be expressive. Her theme show is an Imaginary Caribbean Cruise, bringing the young minds to the Caribbean, while introducing them to the different rhythms and dance of the islands. Kids never sit down in her show.
Born in the Republic of Trinidad, the most Southern Island in the Caribbean, known for steel drums and calypso, just 30 minutes away from the coast of Venezuela, and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She claims, "her Parents took her out of the country, but they didn't take the country out of her." Embedded in her heart is the essence of Caribbean culture from the food to the 'word play' of music and rhyme, which she sure brought out in her CDs entitled IMAGINATION and SUNSHINE REGGAE CHRISTMAS, released in May 2002 and November 2002. Both albums are comprised of calypso, reggae, and African beats. IMAGINATION CD tells about animals, sea creatures, percussion instruments, rules for dancing the limbo, and so much more. SUNSHINE REGGAE CHRISTMAS is a compilation of traditional favorites spiced up with Caribbean beats, that's just roasting like chestnuts.
Allison has an original way of interacting with little people. Her warmth and her gestures nonetheless are inviting and inspiring. Having four children of her own gives her a lot of credit. She says they were her guinea pigs for practicing her face painting and testing her songs out on them. Her song title "Trouble Monkey" is actually about her children, which they join her as the backup singers. She'd always make up 'silly little songs' to entertain them and change her voice. You can hear some of her voice-overs on The Jungle Rap track from the whaling hyena to the screeching monkeys.
Allison has an original way of interacting with little people. Her warmth and her gestures nonetheless are inviting and inspiring. Having four children of her own gives her a lot of credit. She says they were her guinea pigs for practicing her face painting and testing her songs out on them. Her song title "Trouble Monkey" is actually about her children, which they join her as the backup singers. She'd always make up 'silly little songs' to entertain them and change her voice. You can hear some of her voice-overs on The Jungle Rap track from the whaling hyena to the screeching monkeys.
Being hearing impaired makes music all the more challenging for the Sunshine Singer. Not only does she sign some of her songs; her secret is her binaural digital hearing aids, a com-pilot, and her impeccable timing. Once she's cued by the notes in her backup tracks, she knows where to go to stay on key and the rest is all on a 'feeling'. Her motto-"feel the rhythm of the drum and the bass.
Allison's music played across Canada on the Tree House Kids Satellite station. Her CD was selected by The National Library of Canada in Ottawa, and also by The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) for the 'Our Choice 2005’, which is an annual guide to the best new books, magazines, audio and video for children. It is also included in the catalog of the Windsor and Sudbury, Ontario Libraries. She performed on CFCF12 TV Telethon of the Stars in Montreal, Quebec for four consecutive years. She'd teach kids in schools and daycares her songs and invite them to perform with her on television bringing out their confidence and their smiles.
She’s performed with Dr. Patch Adams for the Montreal children’s Hospital 100th anniversary. Allison’s the top Artist/Performer at the Lefforts Garden Montessori School in Brooklyn NY, which the students took her Jungle Rap song to the stage and performed it in colorful costume for their big graduation event. Performing for the “Christmas Breakfast “at La Stanza Restaurant in Ville. St. Laurent, Quebec, held annually by Generations Foundation, an organization that feeds children in elementary schools. It is always a blast seeing the people hang around more than anticipated when Allison's performing making the seating time longer, but the donations stronger! She's been an asset to many functions, and fundraising events all around, albeit medical aid and research, education, food drives, just to name a few.
Allison's performance is not only entertaining but also educational; her workshop was accepted by the Québec School Boards, all the Toronto District School Boards, and the Greater Essex County District School Boards, along the Rainbow School Boards in Sudbury where she once resided. “She has a gift with special needs children, making them dance in their wheel chairs, laugh, smile and shake their maracas like never seen before,” quoted by parents and teachers. She performs at schools, daycares, festivals, and birthday parties, along with corporate and fundraising events. She’s travel as far as Cuba to sing in an orphanage which brought such joy to all involved. Allison is currently writing and illustrating books. "Imagination (a Caribbean Lullaby)" will be launched in the Spring of 2026. She is illustrating other books to coincide with her songs, along with other funny stories to amuse the little minds and expand their imagination.
Ally is currently writing and illustrating books to coincide with her songs, along with other funny stories, that amuse the little minds. Through intricate face painting and humorous rhyming books, Ally Wally creates magical experiences. Her performances are not just entertaining but educational, celebrating Caribbean culture and making learning an enjoyable adventure for children everywhere. Not only does she do this through her music, but with her magical paint brush, captivating all who view her amazing face painting creating "Painted Smiles" with her avatars, cats, butterflies, flowers, dragons, and anything else that you can imagine! She has been the Face Painter for The Festival Nuit D’ Afrique Montreal for 23 consecutive years! No matter where on the planet she is, they always fly her in for the festival.
Allison is presently also working as a children’s educator and music teacher at CPE Gem Starz Daycare. She supports early childhood development through engaging, creative learning and music-based education. Her work reflects a deep commitment to nurturing young minds through the arts.
This Singing Angel with her soothing soprano voice that's as colorful as a rainbow, bringing out the sun-in-song, and whose wings spread with exhilarating joy and love to all who dance beneath them.
She's Magical...
