Lessons
Conservatory Piano
We have chosen Conservatory Canada as the curriculum source for our traditional piano and theory studies. Conservatory Canada is a Canadian educational institution formed in 1997 through a merger of the Western Ontario Conservatory of Music and the Western Board of Music. The roots of the oragnization go back to 1891. The curriculum is an intensive study of music with a nationally recognized exam and grading system. This is an ideal course for students who wish to study music seriously and who may have academic ambitions.
Pop Piano
Our Pop Piano program is founded on material from Tritone Music Academy (TMA.) TMA is a music education system based on a popular music curriculum. It is a practical approach to the study of music, aimed at achieving results as soon as possible while still teaching the important basics of music education. Incorporating familiar songs, the course leads students to develop musical skills such as arranging, improvisation and creativity. Through the TMA programs, students develop in all the key areas of musicianship (eye, ear, mind and body) and gain the skills to enjoy music for a lifetime.
Pop Guitar
We use the 21st Century series of literature as the basis for our guitar program. This guitar course is taught in three modules combining music theory and practical learning. Module 1 includes basic theory (reading music in first position), all basic chords, strumming, eighth note rhythm, power chords, the blues form, basic rock rhythm, guitar techniques, and pop songs such as Surfin' Safari, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Old Time Rock and Roll. Module 2 includes more advanced music theory: the keys of C, G and D; an exploration of the guitar neck; second position; syncopation; rhythm and lead guitar techniques; cuttime; solo guitar style; and pop and classical songs like Fur Elise, Margaritaville, Romanza, Classical Gas. Module 3 provides a more in-depth exploration of guitar playing techniques. Topics covered include movable major and minor scale fingerings, barre chords, pick and fingerstyle technique, and further advancement in music theory. Song selection covers all styles including rock, blues, bluegrass, folk, and classical.
Violin
Our violin course uses a collection of curriculum material from several different sources. In the very early stages, the training focuses on basics such as posture, bowing, and tone control as well as instrument fundamentals such as string identification and tuning. Since music is learned by listening in these early stages, the curriculum includes recorded music that forms a part of the daily practice routine. Later, after performance technique has been satisfactorily learned, students may choose a style of music to their liking (fiddling, classical violin, etc.) and follow curriculum appropriate for that path, all of which will include theory. Students as young as age 4 may enrol in the violin program but children younger than age 12 require accompaniment by a parent; in this instance, both parent and child have a violin and both participate equally in the lessons. Students age 12 and older are taught privately one on one.
Voice
Our voice program, starting at age 8, is based on an amalgamated curriculum that allows our students to eventually sing songs from any style of music. But before we get to serious singing, there are a number of basic exercises that have to be mastered. The vocal muscle, like any other muscle in the body, has to be strenghtened and toned; breathing techniques have to be understood to avoid running out of breath mid-phrase; the ability to switch to the appropriate muscle group during the range of a song must be learned; etc., etc.
Students who come into our voice program expecting to become stage stars in six months quickly become disillisioned and eventually quit. Those who come in with more realistic expectations, a willingness to follow the teacher's instructions, and a dedication to faithful lesson attendance and regular practice ultimately become proficient singers. We have a great program; we have excellent teachers; if you have the dedication and persistence, we can make you a great singer!
Wind Instruments
Wind instrument courses cover common band instruments such as clarinet, flute, saxophone, etc. We use the Standard of Excellence series for curriculum, a graded system that prepares students to continue studies in classical and jazz styles. The courses cover the practical skills appropriate for each instrument, music notation and theory, scale studies, rhythm studies, etc., as well as assembly and care of the instrument.
