Music School

Getting Your Child Registered at Dixon Hall Music School:

Students at Dixon Hall Music School have access to:

• Half-hour, private lessons, group, and ensemble classes in over 20 subject areas
• Instruments to rent for $5 a month
• Free tickets to concerts in many genres of music, dance and theatre
• Intensive and exhilarating spring, summer and winter music camps

Lessons are taught by professional musicians who are supportive and encouraging, all who have degrees in music and a broad range of experience in music.

Students will gain a strong groundwork in technique, skill and theory with the goal of building confidence and introducing them to the joy of playing music. Lessons are tailored according to each student’s age, skill and learning style.

Program Length

Lessons run weekly from September to June, with the option of extra lessons in July.

Cost

Between $4-$22. All of our lessons are subsidized, and cost is based on a financial assessment.

Eligibility

Who can register?

1. Youth living in the Regent Park/Moss Park/St. Lawrence neighbourhoods
2. Children ages 5+ for private lessons, with no age restriction once registered
3. The youngest age we accept is 4 years old for our Early Childhood Music Program

Catchment Area

To be eligible for music lessons, families must live between Jarvis St. and Broadview Ave. and Wellesley St. and Lake Ontario.

We offer private, half-hour lessons for the following instruments:

Age 5+ : Piano, Recorder, Violin, Viola

Age 6+ : Clarinet, Drums, Percussion, Flute, Saxophone, Voice

Age 8+ : Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Cello, Classical Guitar, Music Theory

Age 10+: Songwriting and Recording: students work with our Recording Engineer/Producer, Daniel Sheikh, to learn how to write, record, and produce their own music in our recording studio.

Group Lessons are offered in:

• Early Childhood Music
• Ear Training
• Choir

Early Childhood Music: Ages 4+ 

Mondays from 4 pm to 4:45 pm

Using traditional Orff instruments such as marimba and xylophone, this class uses movement, singing, playing and improvisation to teach young children music fundamentals while having lots of fun. Early Childhood Music is based on a system developed by composer Carl Orff called Orff Schulwerk. 

Choir: Ages 6+

Mondays from 4:45 pm to 5:30 pm for FREE

For kids who like to sing, the choir is a great way to learn vocal and performance techniques within a positive group setting.

Ear Training: For students enrolled in private lessons.

Free half hour sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays

Ear training helps students improve their listening skills, which can significantly enhance their playing and preparation for exams.

We offer Adapted Music Lessons and Music Therapy on Thursdays and Fridays for youth ages 4 to 22 who reside at any Toronto address on a sliding scale from $6-$24 per half hour session.

30-Minute Music Therapy Sessions

One-on-one with our Music Therapist Hayley Naunton (MTA), students explore music making, singing, improvisation, songwriting, movement, listening, to meet goals such as: improving communication and motor skills; developing coping skills to handle complex emotions (anxiety); increasing social interaction and self-expression.

30-Minute Adapted Music Lessons

One-on-one with our Music Therapist Hayley Naunton (MTA) students with various intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities learn Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Violin, or Recorder in an alternative way at their own pace.

Click here to register for Adapted Lessons or Music Therapy

At Dixon Hall Music School, we believe in extending our learning and character building activities beyond the walls of the Music School. Our extensive camp programs send hundreds of youth to music and arts camps throughout the year.

Our Music Camps are available during March Break and throughout the summer months.

Dixon Hall Music School Overnight Camps:

Hart House Farms in Caledon

Dixon Hall Music Camp is a free intensive and exhilarating event that takes students 8 years and up to a farm northwest of Toronto during the summer and March break. There, students have the freedom to create, inspire and achieve. Many of our students return year after year, rejoicing in the friendships and atmosphere.

Partner Camps:

• National Music Camp
• Royal Conservatory of Music
• Harbourfront Centre
• Canadian Opera Company
• Music at Port Milford
• And more!