PIANO OR KEYBOARD:  Students should be at least 4 years of age or older to begin piano or keyboard lessons and should have a piano or a keyboard with 61 (minimum) full-sized keys at home in order to practice.  Students will be taught note reading, rhythmic values, fingering and musicianship skills.  Following an introductory program, students will continue into the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum or another area of interest if they so choose. 

PIANOKIDS® is a piano course designed for the very young beginner, ages 4 – 8.  The course teaches young children the principles of playing the piano in a fun and “child-friendly” setting.  Children will be introduced to the piano through singing, games and playing on the instrument.  Each lesson involves note-reading drills, rhythm drills and games, singing and keyboard skills.  Theory and ear-training are taught through activities that directly relate to the learning process of children this age.  By the end of the first year in PianoKids®, the child will have a good grasp of the principles of piano playing and note reading. 

Pianokids® follows a traditional “Middle C” approach, middle C being the first note learned. Notes are added one at a time in logical sequence, with harmony introduced in hands-together playing at the end of Level 1. There are no gimmicks or associations to confuse the student. Middle C is taught as Middle C, with the remaining notes, A, B, D, E, F, G taught moving in mirror direction in each hand. Note values such as quarter notes, half notes, whole notes are also taught in their proper terminology with rhythm initially introduced using the French time values (tah, tah-ah, etc.) This enables the student to continue their studies without having to re-learn the proper terminology. Counting is taught in the traditional manner (1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and) when fingering habits and note reading have been secured.

Each level of Pianokids® has a Lesson Book, Activity Book and Fun Book. The Pianokids® Lesson Book forms the basis of the curriculum with repertoire appealing to young students. The Activity Book contains writing exercises, coloring pages and ear-training games. When learning a language it is important to learn to read as well as write. The Activity Book further enhances the reading skills through writing. The Fun Book provides the young student with additional repertoire pieces and supplementary writing and ear-training activities, giving them a positive start to the wonderful world of music.   

VIOLIN:  Students should be at least 5 years of age or older to begin violin lessons and should have the appropriate size violin for practicing.  Lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and involve playing the instrument as well as instruction in theory. 

GUITAR:  Students should be at least 6 years of age or older to begin guitar lessons and should have the appropriate size guitar for practicing.  Lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and involve playing the instrument as well as instruction in theory.  Students will be introduced to a number of musical styles or receive instruction in their area of interest.

FLUTE, SAXOPHONE, CLARINET, TRUMPET:  Students must have an instrument available to take to the lesson and for practicing at home.  Lessons are generally a half hour in duration, once each week and involve playing the instrument as well as instruction in theory.  Students will be introduced to a number of musical styles or receive instruction in their area of interest.

VOICE:  Students should be at least eight years of age to begin vocal lessons.  A regime of warm-up exercises is taught together with proper breathing and vocal production.  Students are introduced to a number of musical styles and will receive instruction in their area of interest.

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Music that gentlier on the spirit lies,
Than tired eyelids upon tired eyes.
~Alfred Lord Tennyson