Children and Teen Programs

NEW: Songwriting Workshop Series

Ever wanted to learn how to write a song like your favourite artist? Think Taylor Swift, Chappelle Roan, The Weeknd, Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier! With instructor Mason Smyth, this songwriting workshop series spans six weeks, guiding participants through the essential components of songwriting—from understanding song structure to composing melodies, writing lyrics, and ultimately preparing for a final recorded performance. Each session includes engaging icebreakers, instructional segments, and hands-on activities designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and practical skills in songwriting.

Foundations of Singing for Kids!

Join us for a Foundations of Singing class for children aged 8-12! Students will learn concepts of articulation, register, range, and vowel shaping with some Kodaly and Dalcroze methods and apply that to repertoire. With instructor Hayden Kerry, this class is perfect for budding young singers who might still be too young for private lessons. Group singing is a great way to jumpstart listening skills, which are imperative for a good singing foundation.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Thursdays from Jan. 16 to Mar. 27, 2025 (10 weeks, no class March 13)
• Time: 6:15 - 7p.m. p.m. (45-min. duration)
• Cost: $185
• Ages: 8-12
• Class size: 10 students 

Broadway 101: Junior Musical Theatre Workshop

Back by popular demand! Come and join us for a musical theatre experience like no other! As a cast member of Broadway 101 your child will learn teamwork strategies and make new friendships.
Work with performer Andrea Wingelaar as you prepare monologues and scenes from hand-picked musicals.

Your child will have their own moment in the spotlight and an opportunity to build vocal, acting and dance skills from professionals in the industry.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Tuesdays from January 14 to April 8, 2025 (performance on the final class)
• Time: 7 - 8 p.m. (1-hour duration)
• Cost: $300
• Ages: 10-13

Digital Groove Collective

Your laptop is the instrument! This is a listening-based musical training focusing on immediate musical production! There is an emphasis on composing, improvising, arranging, orchestration, and ensemble activity. Create digital music today. 

Mac laptops are highly recommended for the free softwares that are available on the Mac operating system: GarageBand, VMPK, Audacity, and VLC. Linux and PC computers can still be used up to a certain level. 

This is a fun group activity in which students make music together from the start. This is a great program for students interested in video game music, DJ music, and contemporary pop.  There will also be performance opportunities. 

Laptops are not provided, but all other equipment will be. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Wednesdays starting Jan. 15, 2025 (10 weeks)
• Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. (flexible)
• Cost: $320
• Ages: 12+ (adult groups welcome!)

Register

Video Game Music Appreciation

Characters' Themes

We all have favourite characters in the video games we play, but what do their themes tell us about the characters we know and love? In this small group class, students explore the features of heroes' and villains' themes in video games and how these themes reflect the personalities of the characters they represent through guided listening and class discussions. Students also have the opportunity to analyse or compose a hero’s theme and a villain’s theme and share their work with the class. 

• Location: Virtual
• Dates: Thursdays; Jan. 9 to April 3 (no class March 13)
• Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $290
• Ages: 13+

Register

Battle Themes

Why does battle music in video games always seem to get our blood pumping? This class introduces students to the features of battle and boss battle themes from different games and explores how they make us feel when we’re playing through guided listening and analysis. Students also have the opportunity to analyse or compose a regular battle theme and a boss battle theme and share their work with the class at the end of the course.

• Location: Virtual
• Dates: Thursdays; Jan. 9 to April 3 (no class March 13)
• Time: 7:45 - 8:45 p.m.
• Cost: $290 
• Ages: 13+

Register

Fiddle Jams

Led by Shane Guse, join us for a monthly fiddle jam! This is a drop-in event. This is a fun and supportive group setting where you play when you can, listen when you can't, and make sure to take note of new tunes you hear and want to explore. This is open to players of all ages and levels. If you have never played fiddle before, this is a great opportunity to try it out. The goal is to have fun, build confidence and repertoire, and hopefully introduce fiddling to those who have never had the opportunity to try it. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: First Sunday of each month
• Time: Sundays from 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. 
• Cost: $5 donation encouraged for the instructor 
• Ages: All (should have minimum basic proficiency on your instrument) 

No registration required.

FULL - SUP'R Students!

(Singing, Ukulele, Piano, Recorder)

This program is a musical introduction to students ages 7-10, focusing on four different instruments over 28 weeks. Students will experience seven weeks of singing, seven weeks of ukulele, seven weeks of piano, and seven weeks of recorder (order of instruction may vary). Music books, a recorder, and a rental ukulele will be provided as part of the program. No musical experience necessary!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Friday Sept. 13, 2024
• Time: Fridays at 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
• Cost: $475 (students must attend the entire program for 28 weeks)
• Ages: 7-10
• Class limit: 11