Welcome to The Canasta Connection!

We are Massachusetts based mother-daughter duo Emily and Bev and we would love to teach you Canasta and American Mah Jongg.

We created a highly visual curriculum where we play, play, play! We use a step-by-step approach to help you increase your confidence and master the game! We are known for our handouts and cheat sheets that break down the game. We want to make every lesson a fun, accessible, and high quality experience.

Upcoming Classes: Beginner

  • Beginner Canasta-Newton

    JCC of Greater Boston

    Thursdays 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12

    10am-12pm

    Register Here

  • Beginner Canasta

    Needham Community Education

    Wednesdays Feb 25th-Mar 18th

    6:00-8:30 pm (1st class is 6-8pm)

    Register Here (Begins Dec 11th)

  • Beginner Mahjong (Jan 2026)

    Waban Library Center

    Learn the basics of American Mahjong (NMJL rules) in a multi-class format to help break down the rules in a fun, social, and approachable way. Details and Registration Coming Soon

  • Private Group Lessons

    Email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com to inquire about private group classes in person and virtually. Must be based in the Greater Boston Area or on lower/mid Cape Cod for in person classes at this time.

Upcoming Classes: Beyond Beginner

  • Beyond Beginner Canasta

    Needham Community Education

    Tuesdays, Nov 18 - Dec 16

    6-8pm (No Class Nov 25)

    Join Waitlist

  • Beyond Beginner Mahjong Wednesday 12/3

    Waban Library Center

    Play mahjong in a supervised format, with an instructor present. Socialize and meet other players and receive support on rule reminders, help around which line to go for, how to pivot, Charleston help, and additional strategies. This repeats-sign up for one or multiple dates.

    Register Here

  • Beyond Beginner Mahjong Wednesday 12/10

    Waban Library Center

    Play mahjong in a supervised format, with an instructor present. Socialize and meet other players and receive support on rule reminders, help around which line to go for, how to pivot, Charleston help, and additional strategies. This repeats-sign up for one or multiple dates.

    Register Here

  • Beyond Beginner Mahjong Wednesday 12/17

    Waban Library Center

    Play mahjong in a supervised format, with an instructor present. Socialize and meet other players and receive support on rule reminders, help around which line to go for, how to pivot, Charleston help, and additional strategies. This repeats-sign up for one or multiple dates.

    Register Here

  • Beyond Beginner Canasta

    JCC of Greater Boston

    Thursdays 1/15, 1/11, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12

    12:45pm-2:45pm

    Register Here

  • Beyond Beginner Canasta

    Needham Community Education

    Wednesdays April 29th-May 20th

    6-8pm

    Register here (begins Dec 11th)

  • Private Group Lessons

    Email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com to inquire about private group classes in person and virtually. Must be based in the Greater Boston Area or on lower/mid Cape Cod for in person classes at this time.

Upcoming Open Play + Events

  • Private lessons, events, and parties

    We host canasta and mahjong private lessons, social play events, corporate team building, birthday parties, and fundraisers. Reach out to us to inquire.

    Contact Us

  • Winter 2025-2026 Classes

    We will be teaching Canasta at: JCC of Greater Boston, Needham Community Ed, Private Groups at your home or venue of choice, Additional Offerings TBD

    We will be teaching Mahjong at: Waban Library Center, Private Groups at your home or venue of choice, Additional Offerings TBD

    Contact Us

Shop Our Canasta Materials

Designed by professional k-12 special education teachers to break down the rules and scoring of modern American canasta to make it accessible. We have been iterating on these for years based on feedback from hundreds of students.

The Canasta Connection Cheat Sheet The Canasta Connection Cheat Sheet
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The Canasta Connection Cheat Sheet
$12.00
The Canasta Connection Scorepad The Canasta Connection Scorepad
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The Canasta Connection Scorepad
$25.00
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Testimonials

  • These two, the mother and daughter dream team, are hands down the most incredible teachers out there. Not only are they seasoned pros, but their classes are an absolute blast!

    Karen R.

  • Emily, thank you so much for teaching us Mahjong! I loved each lesson. You were so clear explaining the game and built each week on the prior week’s teaching! You made it fun and not stressful and allowed us to ask so many questions. Your printed instructions are a huge help now as we continue to play.

    Kathy D.

  • My husband and I are enthusiastic and committed to mastering this game, and your patience in helping us understand strategy, rules, etc were only eclipsed by your obvious love of the game, terrific teaching skills, and sweet demeanor."

    ~P.W.S

  • Having Bev teach Canasta on Cape Cod has been a gift. She taught a group of us to play Canasta. We enjoy playing so much that we committed to a weekly group. It is the lessons and the connections with friends that makes the experience so special. I recommend expanding your life with The Canasta Connection. Thank you Bev!

    -Elaine