Group Classes
Adult Guitar Ensemble (for current PAMDA students) REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 1
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
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, you will look at various aspects of guitar playing, with a strong focus on performing as a group.
Together, you 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. The group will explore a wide range of genres, including folk, country, rock, and blues, providing you with a diverse musical palette. As the group navigates through these genres, dynamics will be emphasized, 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.
Drama Class for 9-12 Year Olds REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 15, 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 15, 2026
In this fun and engaging 90-minute weekly class, students will learn collaboration and teamwork through creativity by engaging in theatre games, improv, scenes, and monologues.
Students will also devise and create their own short play inspired by provided or invented story prompts that will be performed at a special student recital.
Maximum 6 students
Ages 9-12
7 Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00pm
Starting date: TBD
Monday Night Drop-In SongCatching with Yanti
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, ongoing (no group on statutory holidays or during spring or winter break)
Time 5:30am-6:30pm
Drop-In Fee: $10 payable at the door
Location: Leir House, Community Art Room (ground floor)
Music for Little Mozarts: Level 1 Ages 4-6 REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
Meet Mozart Mouse, Beethoven Bear, and other music friends, who will introduce your little one to the language of music.
This one-hour, 36-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.
Parent Participation: A parent or guardian attends each class with their child. Your involvement helps reinforce learning at home and is an important part of your child’s success in the program.
Materials: Each child will need a Music for Little Mozarts book set. The cost is $30, and books will be provided at the first class.
Cost
Tuition: $600
Registration Fee: $25 per student (covers facility use, instruments, and administration)
Society Membership: $15 per family, per year (required for all PAMDA families)
Books: $30 (one-time purchase for Level 1)
Total Initial Cost for New Families: $670
Ask about our installment plan
Music for Little Mozarts: Level 2 REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
Building on Level 1, this one-hour, 36-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.
Prerequisite: Level 1 or on approval of instructor.
Parent Participation: A parent or guardian attends each class with their child. Your involvement helps reinforce learning at home and is an important part of your child’s success in the program.
Materials: Each child will need a Music for Little Mozarts book set. The cost is $30, and books will be provided at the first class.
Cost
Tuition: $600
Registration Fee: $25 per student (covers facility use, instruments, and administration)
Society Membership: $15 per family, per year (required for all PAMDA families)
Books: $30 (one-time purchase for Level 1)
Total Initial Cost for New Families: $670
Ask about our installment plan
PAMDA Fiddle Group REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN SEPTEMBER 2026
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SEPTEMBER 2026
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.
(No classes on statutory holidays or during winter or spring break.)
PAMDA String Orchestra REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN SEPTEMBER 2026
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN SEPTEMBER 2026
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.
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. .
Our rehearsals take place every Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Community Art Room (ground floor) of the Leir House Cultural Centre.
(No classes on statutory holidays or during winter or spring break.)
Smart Start 0-1 Years REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1 2026
Begin making lifelong connections with music and developing the foundations for basic cognitive skills through fun parent-child activities.
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 neuroscience-based 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.
(No classes on statutory holidays or during winter or spring break.)
Smart Start for Ages 1-2 REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
Expand your child's musical skills through movement, and further develop cognitive skills in fun and engaging ways.
The positive atmosphere of this one-hour weekly class helps support 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 neuroscience-based 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.
(No classes on statutory holidays or during winter or spring break.)
Smart Start for Ages 2-3 REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
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 one-hour weekly 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.
Smart Start for Ages 3-4 REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
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.
In this one-hour weekly class, 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.
A care provider accompanies each child in Smart Start™ (3 Years) for the first few sessions only.
Smart Start for Ages 4-5 REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1, 2026
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.
In this one-hour weekly class, 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.
A care provider accompanies each child for the first few sessions only.
Summer Strings Adult Camp 2026 CAMP IS NOW FULL
THE CAMP IS NOW FULL. TO BE PUT ON THE WAITLIST, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE.
Summer Strings 2026 is our 5th annual three-day music camp for adult violin, viola, and cello students looking to develop their skills. Students will elevate their playing techniques while attending chamber music coaching sessions, masterclasses, and private lessons.
The instructors Sandra Wilmot, John Suderman, and Olivia Walsh - all professional musicians with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra - will lead participants through chamber pieces and teach techniques to help students progress on their instruments. An informal performance will take place in the afternoon of the final camp day.
Summer Strings 2026 is open to students over the age of 17, who play at a minimum of level 5 or equivalent.
Time: 10am-4pm
August 31, September 1, & September 2
Early Bird Tuition until June 17: $210 (plus registration fees)
Regular Tuition: $275 (plus registration fees)
No refunds after August 1, 2026.