In this 35-week introduction to group singing, your child will gain confidence, build leadership and teamwork skills while learning to use their voices safely and effectively! Led by choir director Kelsey Zachary, students will learn how to use their voices safely, create a good tone, sing in unison, and also explore the basics of singing in harmony. 35 Tuesdays September 17 to June 11, 2025 (No rehearsals December 24, 31, March 18 & 25) Time 4-5pm Tuition: $420 (plus registration fees) Location: Leir House

This dynamic and engaging closed group class is designed specifically for Dave Barber’s current adult students to continue learning about playing the guitar in a collaborative setting. ​Over the year, we will look at various aspects of guitar playing, with a strong focus on performing as a group/ensemble. ​ Together, we will delve into essential topics such as timing, jamming etiquette, and performance etiquette to ensure seamless and enjoyable musical interactions. You'll build on the art of playing together, developing a keen sense of listening and complementing your fellow musicians. ​ ​A key element of this course is expanding your song repertoire. We will explore a wide range of genres, including folk, country, rock, and blues, providing you with a diverse musical palette. As we navigate through these genres, we will emphasize dynamics, helping you understand the importance of volume and expression to create captivating performances.​ Join us for this next round of Adult Group Guitar. Connect with fellow guitar enthusiasts and discover the joy of playing together in a supportive and enriching environment. ​ 30 Thursdays, September 19-June 12, 2025 Time 7:15-8:15pm Tuition: $600 (registration fee waived if current PAMDA student) Location: Leir House

In this FUN, informal, friendly, and safe singing environment, local musician Yanti leads participants through a vocal back-and-forth practice known as SongCatching, using the songs of the Ubuntu Choir Network as taught in the oral tradition. All voices and levels of experience are welcome. ​ Mondays, September 9 to June 9, 2025 (no group on statutory holidays or during spring break) Time 5:30am-6:30pm Drop-In Fee: $10 payable at the door Location: Leir House, Community Art Room (ground floor)

Get comfortable and bring out your instruments (ukuleles, guitars, tambourines, etc.) for strumming, stomping, and shaking to some favourite songs. This is a no-audition drop-in group. You don’t need to read sheet music and no previous experience is required. ​ Mondays, September 9 to June 9, 2025 (no group on statutory holidays or during spring break) Time 6:30am-7:30pm Drop-In Fee: $10 payable at the door Location: Leir House, Community Art Room (ground floor)

Make this the year you step into the fun world of trad music, including Celtic, Old-Time and Bluegrass. Fiddling is a popular social activity and in this group setting, PAMDA instructor Jeff Andrew will teach common fiddle tunes that you can play at jam sessions, fiddle camps, and other gatherings. You’ll also learn the ornamentation, rhythms, and bowing techniques that give each style its unique character. The PAMDA Fiddle Group is open to players who know their way around the instrument in first position. Tunes will be taught by ear as well as from the page. ​ Please contact the instructor for more information before registering. ​ 35 Tuesdays, starting September 17, 2025 (no group during statutory holidays or seasonal breaks) 7-8pm Tuition: $400 (plus registration fees) Location: Leir House Cultural Centre

Join the PAMDA String Orchestra for an unforgettable orchestral experience, dedicated to honing your intonation, rhythm, and musicianship. The PAMDA String Orchestra offers a welcoming environment for string musicians aged 16 and above, providing an excellent platform for players at Grade 4 level or higher who are comfortable with sight-reading. Led by conductor Kelsey Zachary, you'll be part of a vibrant musical community, perfecting your ensemble skills, and enriching your orchestral performance abilities. Whether you're an aspiring musician or an experienced player looking to expand your horizons, our string orchestra offers an enriching journey of musical growth and camaraderie. ​ 30 Wednesdays, starting September 18, 2024 7-8:30pm Tuition: $375 (plus registration fees) Tuition for current private lesson students: $300 (registration fee waived) Location: Leir House Cultural Centre

Private lessons are offered in 30-minute, 45-minute, and 60-minute lesson blocks on a weekly basis. Lesson fees are established by each instructor, and generally range from $35 to $45 per half hour. To register for private lessons: 1. Review the instruments or instructors to find the best teacher for you 2. Contact the instructor to schedule your lessons 3. Come back to the site to register. ​ Money-Saving Tip: During the academic year (September to June), registration fees of $35 are charged each time you register, to a maximum of $90 per family. You can save yourself money by registering for the full year rather than for each separate term.

Expand your child's musical skills through movement, and further develop cognitive skills in fun and engaging ways. ​ The positive atmosphere of this class helps foster lifelong connections with music, builds strong parent-child emotional bonds, and develops the foundation for basic cognitive skills including attention, memory, perception, and cognitive flexibility. Through Smart Start’s neurosciencebased curriculum, you and your child will learn about the fundamentals of music by moving your bodies, singing, and playing. In every class session, you will learn multicultural songs and games with particular attention paid to beat, rhythm, and listening skills. You’ll also receive access to the parent portal which includes downloadable activities to try at home, curated articles and content on childhood development, and updates on your child’s growth throughout the course. A care provider accompanies their child for all classes for this course. ​ 30 Thursdays, October 10, 2024 to May 29, 2025 10-11am Tuition: $750 (plus registration fees & app fee for access to Smart Start's parent portal) Location: Studio 15, Leir House

Develop your child's musical abilities through more independent activities and expand cognitive skills through creativity and self-awareness. ​ Set your child on the right path by engaging them in multicultural music, movement-based play, and neuroscience-based learning. This class focuses on cognitive skills relevant to music, such as sustaining attention, remembering songs, and recognizing perceptual cues as well as developing gross motor function in toddlers by encouraging them to move their bodies in time to sounds and music. Children will also practice listening and singing, playing simple instruments like maracas and drums, and taking turns, leading to musical competence, confidence, a sense of belonging, and increased social skills. You and your child will participate actively in the class, while you support the development of your child's musical creativity and build further skills for musical interaction together. You’ll also receive access to the parent portal which includes downloadable activities to try at home, curated articles and content on childhood development, and updates on your child’s growth throughout the course. A care provider accompanies their child for all classes for this course. ​ 30 Wednesdays, October 9, 2024 to May 26, 2025 10-11am Tuition: $750 (plus registration fees & app fee for access to Smart Start's parent portal) Location: Studio 15, Leir House

Singing, dancing, playing games - children adore this active, play-based learning environment. ​ This neuroscience-based class supports the growth of your child’s cognitive skills through activities such as recognizing musical patterns, focusing on the most important aspects of music, and understanding connections across artistic representations. Your child will learn foundational musical skills such as tempo, meter, pitch, and volume, and play a wider variety of percussion instruments. They’ll also play with picture-based pre-notation and collaborate in musical activities with other children designed to foster basic musical knowledge and encourage individual and group creativity. You’ll also receive access to the parent portal which includes downloadable activities to try at home, curated articles and content on childhood development, and updates on your child’s growth throughout the course. At this level, a care provider accompanies each child for the first few sessions only. ​ 30 Wednesdays, October 9, 2024 to May 28, 2025 11:15-12:15pm Tuition: $750 (plus registration fees & app fee for access to Smart Start's parent portal) Location: Studio 15, Leir House

Singing, dancing, playing games - children adore this active, play-based learning environment. ​ This neuroscience-based class supports the growth of your child’s cognitive skills through activities such as recognizing musical patterns, focusing on the most important aspects of music, and understanding connections across artistic representations. Your child will learn foundational musical skills such as tempo, meter, pitch, and volume, and play a wider variety of percussion instruments. They’ll also play with picture-based pre-notation and collaborate in musical activities with other children designed to foster basic musical knowledge and encourage individual and group creativity. You’ll also receive access to the parent portal which includes downloadable activities to try at home, curated articles and content on childhood development, and updates on your child’s growth throughout the course. At this level, a care provider accompanies each child for the first few sessions only. ​ 30 Thursdays, October 10, 2024 to May 29, 2025 11:15-12:15pm Tuition: $750 (plus registration fees & app fee for access to Smart Start's parent portal) Location: Studio 15, Leir House

Meet Mozart Mouse, Beethoven Bear, and other music friends, who will introduce your little one to the language of music. ​ This 30-week class consists of exciting lessons with singing, listening, movement, rhythm activities, and the basics of piano playing. Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear and many other music friends join each class to help introduce all these music elements.​ ​ The lessons centre around music adventures - learning about and exploring music. Students learn music note time values, Hi/Lo sounds, musical dynamics (quiet and loud sounds), and how to use the voice to sing. They experiment with rhythms using rhythm instruments, start to learn how to play the piano, and explore how to create and navigate their own musical world. This class is a social way to experience music and learn how music exists in society. The class works around children's learning styles and auditory, tactile, visual, and movement are all incorporated into each lesson. ​ 30 Tuesdays October 15 to May 27, 2025 3-4pm Tuition: $600 (plus registration fees) Location: Studio 15, Leir House