Group Classes

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.

This fun and supportive one-hour, six-week class is the perfect place for kids to start their guitar journey! No experience is needed—we’ll begin right from the basics and build confidence step by step.

Students will learn:

- How to hold and care for the guitar
- Simple chords and strumming patterns
- Playing in rhythm with others
- Easy songs they can share with friends and family

Taught in a small group setting, this class gives kids the chance to make music together while developing listening skills, coordination, and musical creativity. By the end of the course, students will be strumming their first songs and ready to continue their musical journey with private lessons or future group classes.

(Maximum 5 students.)
Wednesdays, January 14 - February 18, 2026
3:30-4:30pm
Class will take place at Ecole Entre-Lacs

What actually goes into creating a musical? In this hands-on, collaborative intensive, participants explore how story, music, movement, and performance come together to create musical theatre.

Together, we’ll unpack the structure of a musical—examining the role of the actor, a song, or a dance within the narrative and how music propels characters from one moment of the story to the next. Participants will explore how stories can be told through words, melody, movement, and performance, and how each discipline serves the larger whole.

Over this 18-hour intensive, the group will collaborate to create a 15-minute original work—a cabaret, musical theatre piece, or multi-disciplinary performance—to be shared with a live audience (date, time, and venue TBA). Working as an ensemble, participants will develop a three-act structure, creating songs and scenes that support each narrative arc.

This workshop is open to writers, musicians, actors, composers, and dancers who are curious about collaboration and storytelling through music.

You will receive coaching, direction, and support from Lucas Penner, a multi-disciplinary artist who grew up in Penticton, studied music and theatre in Toronto, has written music for pop and theatrical performances alike, and currently travels internationally as a musician.

3 Sundays, February 22, March 1, and March 8, 2026
9:00am-3:30pm (includes a 30-minute lunch break)
Maximum 10 students

What actually goes into creating a musical? In this hands-on, collaborative intensive, participants explore how story, music, movement, and performance come together to create musical theatre.

Together, we’ll unpack the structure of a musical—examining the role of the actor, a song, or a dance within the narrative and how music propels characters from one moment of the story to the next. Participants will explore how stories can be told through words, melody, movement, and performance, and how each discipline serves the larger whole.

Over this 18-hour intensive, the group will collaborate to create a 15-minute original work—a cabaret, musical theatre piece, or multi-disciplinary performance—to be shared with a live audience (date, time, and venue TBA). Working as an ensemble, participants will develop a three-act structure, creating songs and scenes that support each narrative arc.

This workshop is open to writers, musicians, actors, composers, and dancers who are curious about collaboration and storytelling through music.

You will receive coaching, direction, and support from Lucas Penner, a multi-disciplinary artist who grew up in Penticton, studied music and theatre in Toronto, has written music for pop and theatrical performances alike, and currently travels internationally as a musician.

9:00am-3:30pm (includes a 30-minute lunch break)
3 Saturdays, February 21, 28, and March 7
Maximum 10 students

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

Calling all violinists aged 11-15 who are at Suzuki Minuet 1 playing level, have basic sight reading abilities, and can play by ear: Are you ready to have some fun with the violin?

Join instructor Tanya Westby and a group of advanced beginner/intermediate violin players for Friday Fiddle and Fun. You'll play fiddle tunes, festive tunes, and more. There will also be opportunities to perform!

9 Sessions: January 9, 16, 23 and 30, February 20 and 27, March 6 and 13, 2026.

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)

Join instructor Zeena Zaiyouna for a hands-on deep dive into the building blocks of music.

This one-day immersive class is designed for anyone who wants to level up their understanding of how music works. You’ll move through essential theory concepts and leave with practical tools you can apply in your playing right away.

What we’ll cover:
- Half steps and whole steps
- Intervals
- Scales
- Triads and chord naming
- Harmonic function (how chords work together)
- Writing chord progressions

Prerequisite: Basic note reading and a bit of piano familiarity (able to identify notes on the keyboard).

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 10:30am-4:30pm (with one-hour for lunch)
Tuition: $75 (plus $20 reg fee)

THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL.
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

THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL.
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

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.)

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. .

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.)

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.)

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.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

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.

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.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study with Canadian music legend Fred Penner in an immersive three-day songwriting workshop running March 25–27, 2026, culminating in a performance when Ignite the Arts Festival officially kicks off on Friday night, March 27.

Fred will take you on an in depth journey into the vulnerable creative world of music. From that first idea to a finished song requires commitment to process. Let’s explore how you work and how to expand your own creativity.

Space is limited to only 10 participants, so register today.
10-3 (with an hour for lunch)
March 25, 26 & 27

This program is designed for older adults (55+) with a curiosity or undiscovered interest in public speaking through performance, or to awaken their former passion and to rediscover their own unique voice.

In this weekly 90-minute group class we will explore recitation of poetry, drama, Shakespeare or prose. Selections can be chosen by participants themselves or sourced through the instructor.

Lyrical, original or narrative poetry, sonnets, storytelling, public speaking, drama, literature and Shakespeare selections are all options that can be considered.

Participants are encouraged to perform these pieces at the annual Kiwanis festival in Penticton taking place from April 9 -11, 2026 ($10 entrance fee required).

6 Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:00pm
February 17-April 7 (No classes during spring break, March 17 & 24)
Maximum Participants: 6

Registration is now open for our 5th Annual Youth Songwriting Spring Camp.

Corwin Fox is back to lead this very popular songwriting course that focuses on supporting self-expression through music, song, and spoken word poetry, combining elements of musical theory, improvisation techniques, and lyric writing.
​
This program is suitable for complete beginners, as well as students with prior musical experience.
​
Students will get to perform their new songs at the first concert of the Ignite the Arts Festival weekend at The Hub on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Corwin and his team developed this incredible program and have taught it for more than a dozen years. It has been life-changing for many of the young people who have had the chance to take part in it.

​Monday to Friday
March 23 to 27
12 to 5pm
Ages: 10 to 17

$250+reg fees (nonrefundable)

This year's Youth Songwriting Spring Camp is generously supported by the Province of British Columbia