Music School
I never imagined that one day I would be performing at a reception for Prince Charles or at a tribute to composer Quincy Jones. If it weren’t for Dixon Hall, I wouldn’t be playing the piano at all
Young minds need more than food and shelter. The Arts expand horizons, and music speaks to everyone. No wonder Dixon Hall’s Music School has garnered praise and such positive attention from across the city. Every year, hundreds of children from low-income families are exposed to the joy of music through high quality instruction for fees as low as $3.00 per lesson. Acquiring and excelling at a new skill in turn promotes self-esteem and builds a positive self-image. Moreover, early exposure to the arts shows children what life can offer—creativity, fun and beauty. A wonderful world of possibilities opens up and a lifelong passion for music can take root. Many of Dixon Hall’s music students go on to perform, win awards and launch successful careers in music
In addition to the regular music instruction offered at the school, Dixon Hall Music School offers subsidized opportunities to attend music camps around the province. Our own Overnight Summer Music Camp provides students with the opportunity to make new friends and to do things they have never done before, like hiking on the Niagara Escarpment, swimming in a quarry pond and stargazing around a campfire in the serenity of beautiful and quiet countryside, far from city streets
We see the benefits of excellent instruction and cultural development, but the waiting list for the Music School is long indeed. Over the years our annual Benefit Concert, featuring renowned artists and our own students, has been a major success in promoting and funding the Music School so that as many children as possible have access to lessons that could change their lives forever. And every year we are proud to honour deserving students with scholarships for free lessons, made possible by generous donors
We are a school of “firsts.” First experience playing an instrument, first public performance, first place in the Kiwanis Festival, first time in the country (our summer music camp), first concert at Roy Thompson Hall, first time performing a duet…so many firsts for a group of kids that are second to none
Private Lessons Offered:
- Piano
- Guitar
- Drums
- Violin/Viola
- Voice
- Saxophone
- Flute
- Recorder
- Computer Music
Group Lessons Offered:
- Choir
- Orff
-Theory
Overnight Music Summer Camp:
Every year we offer a unique music camp at Hart House Farm in the Caledon area, an hour and half northwest of Toronto. It is a great opportunity for children to further expand their music skills and knowledge while enjoying outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, etc.
Quick Facts:
- Dixon Hall Music School has provided lessons for over 4,500 children and youth since opening its’ doors in 1978
- The cost to bring an eager child from the waiting list to the teaching studio is $600 per student annually.
- 15 different instruments\subjects are taught
- Currently there are over 230 students enrolled at DHMS, with over 100 on our waiting list
Requirements for applicants:
- 1. The family has to live within our catchment area
- 2. The child has to be between the ages of 6-18