It is easy to Start
Starting a musical journey should be as joyful as the music itself. We have made our process simple and stress-free for your family.
In just 3 easy steps, your child will be on their way to playing an instrument and discovering their own artistic voice.
01
Choose your instrument or program
The first step is all about discovery. Whether your child is drawn to the elegance of the piano, the soul of the violin, or the power of voice, we have a path for them.
Explore our programs to find the perfect fit. Our Little Talents group classes are wonderful for ages 4 and up. If your child is ready for more focus, our Private Lessons offer one-on-one mentorship tailored just for them.
Instruments & Programs
Not sure which to choose? We are here to help you find the right match.
Violin
Guitar
Piano
Cello
Voice
02
Book an Audition
Setting up an audition is a friendly way for us to get to know your child’s personality and current level.
This isn’t just a test. it is a warm introduction to our music school. It helps our teachers create a personalized plan that makes your child feel confident from day one. Simply fill out our contact form, and we will reach out to schedule a time that works best for your family.
03
Start your Music Journey
Welcome to CAMA!
After your audition, we will finalize your schedule and introduce you to your teacher. From your very first lesson, you will see the Success Triangle in action as we work together to nurture your child’s talent. We can’t wait to see what they will achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that every family has to choose carefully how to spend their time and budget, and we truly believe music is one of the best investments you can make for your child.
One of the main reasons it’s so valuable is that we focus on “Functional Literacy.” This is just a simple way of saying that your child won’t just memorize a few songs for a test—they will actually learn how to use music in the real world. It is a gift that stays with them for the rest of their lives.
From a future-planning perspective, music is also a huge help for university applications. When the time comes, schools like UofT or Waterloo look for students who are hardworking and can stick with a challenge. Reaching a high level in music proves your child has “grit” and knows how to manage their time, which helps their application stand out to admissions officers.
Finally, music is a very “parent-friendly” choice for your family’s schedule. One of the best parts is that there are no 5:00 AM drives to a freezing hockey rink and no need to spend your entire weekend at a sports tournament. Music fits into your life without the stress of “making the cut” or exhausting early morning practices, giving you more quality time together at home. It truly is an investment that builds a smarter brain, a stronger resume, and a happier family life.
We know the word “audition” can sound a little bit scary, but at our school, it’s actually a very happy and positive event! Think of it less like a high-pressure test and more like a “Meet and Greet” musical playdate.
The main reason we hold auditions is so we can really get to know your child—their personality, what kind of music they love, and how they like to learn. It’s also a wonderful time for you and your child to get to know us, see our beautiful Steinway & Sons pianos, and feel the energy of our music school.
During this time, we take a close look at your child’s age, as well as their musical and physical abilities. For example, some children have a great natural ear for rhythm, while others might have the hand strength or finger reach that makes them a perfect fit for a specific instrument.
By spending this one-on-one time together, we can tailor our approach and learning specifically to your child. No two students are the same, so we don’t believe in a “one size fits all” lesson plan. We look at which of our expert teachers has the right personality and teaching style to click with your child’s unique strengths. We help pick the best program to make sure they feel successful and excited from their very first lesson. It’s all about making sure your child feels right at home so they can truly shine!
It’s a question we hear all the time! Generally, if your child can follow simple directions and can focus for about 20 minutes, they are likely ready to start.
But don’t worry if they aren’t quite there yet! We have a special Little Talents program created just for our youngest learners. It’s a fun, high-energy class where kids learn about music through games, singing, and rhythm. It’s the perfect, “no-stress” way to see if they enjoy music before they dive into private lessons. You learn more details here.
Not at all! We want your child to feel comfortable as they start their musical journey, so there is no need for a huge investment on day one.
For violin and cello students, we actually recommend renting. Since kids grow so quickly, renting is very affordable and lets you swap for a larger size as they get taller.
For piano students, while a keyboard is okay to start, we recommend moving to a “real” instrument. This builds the correct hand position and finger strength right away, which saves time because your child won’t have to “re-learn” technique later.
The best part of joining our school is that we are a Steinway & Sons Studio. Even if you don’t have a piano at home yet, your child will spend their lesson time practicing and performing on the exact same world-class instruments used by the greatest artists on the world’s biggest stages. It makes every lesson feel like a grand performance!
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a musician to be a wonderful “music parent!” We make it very easy for you to support your child’s journey.
During every lesson, we give clear, simple instructions on exactly how to practice at home and what to look for. We’ll show you and your child the specific goals for the week so there’s no guesswork involved. Your main job is just to be their biggest cheerleader! By setting a regular practice time and offering plenty of encouragement, you’ll help them build confidence. We are a team, and we’ll make sure you feel totally comfortable helping your child succeed between lessons. Learn what is the role of the parent in music here.
It’s a great question! While sports are a big part of life for many families, music offers some wonderful, unique benefits that help your child grow in a different way.
First, music is like a “total workout” for the brain. It helps with memory, focus, and even math skills in a way that very few other activities can. It’s also a very safe and gentle hobby—there’s no need to worry about the “bumps and bruises” or injuries that can sometimes happen in high-contact sports!
One of the things our families love most is that music is not about the fear of being “cut from the team.” We take very individual approach, so no pressure. In our music school, your child will never be benched. Instead, they get to grow at their own speed in a supportive environment.
This is wonderful question.
While coding and STEM are great for learning logic, music is a bit like a “multivitamin” for the whole brain.
When a child plays an instrument, they aren’t just using their logic; they are using their ears, their eyes, their fine motor skills, and their emotions all at the same time. It’s one of the only activities that works out the entire brain at once!
Think of it this way: Coding teaches kids how to talk to computers, but music teaches them how to connect with people. It builds “creative problem solving” and emotional intelligence in a way that technology just can’t. Many of our parents find that music actually makes their kids better at STEM because it improves the focus and discipline they need for math and science. It’s not necessarily about one being “better,” but music provides that beautiful, human balance to a tech-heavy world!
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We know there are many places to take music lessons, but we truly believe our school offers something special that you won’t find anywhere else.
One of the biggest differences is our teachers. Your child will be learning from experts who have spent years studying music, with many holding Master’s degrees and even Ph.Ds. They aren’t just great musicians—they are warm, friendly teachers who know exactly how to help your child succeed while having fun.
We also believe that every student deserves to play on a beautiful instrument. That is why we are a Steinway & Sons school. This means your child gets to practice and perform on the best pianos in the world, the same ones used by famous artists on the big stage!
If you are looking for results, you are in the right place. Our students move through their RCM levels quickly and with a lot of confidence. In fact, 99% of our students get “High Honours” on their exams! We also offer exciting chances for your child to perform in recitals and masterclasses to help them grow.
For students who love a challenge, we also help them get ready for music competitions. Our students are known for winning top prizes! Whether you want your child to build a great resume for university or just want them to love playing music, we provide everything they need to be their very best.
It is very common for children to feel a little nervous about performing, but being part of our recitals and competitions is actually one of the best things for their confidence!
Recitals are a wonderful way for your child to share what they’ve been working on with family and friends. It turns all those weeks of practice into a celebration! These moments teach children how to set a goal, work toward it, and feel the “big win” of a job well done. It’s a huge boost to their self-esteem that helps them feel brave in other parts of life, like giving a presentation at school.
For students who want to take it a step further, competitions are a fantastic way to grow. At CAMA, we prepare our students to not just enter, but to truly shine and win prizes & scholarships nationally & internationally! This level of training teaches them how to stay focused and perform under pressure—skills that look amazing on a resume later in life.
Whether it’s a small recital in our music shool or a big competition stage, these experiences turn “music students” into “confident leaders.” It’s all about building that “can-do” attitude in a way that is supportive, exciting, and fun!
At our school, we specialize in the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) curriculum because it is the most respected music standard in Canada. While we highly recommend the RCM path, we believe the journey should be as unique as your child.
For many of our students, exams are a fantastic way to celebrate their progress. It gives them a clear goal to work toward and a wonderful sense of pride when they receive their official certificate. Because our teachers hold advanced degrees (Masters and Ph.Ds), they know exactly how to prepare your child so they feel confident and ready. In fact, 99% of our students earn “High Honours” on these exams!
However, we also know that every child has different goals. If your child prefers to learn for the pure joy of playing without the pressure of a formal test, that is perfectly okay too! We can still use the high-quality RCM books and structure to make sure they are gaining those “Functional Literacy” skills—like playing by ear or reading music—while tailoring the lessons to be fun and stress-free.
Whether your child is aiming for those Grade 11 and 12 high school credits through RCM or just wants to play their favorite songs on a Steinway, we will find the balance that makes them love coming to music class every week!
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Yes, they absolutely can! Since we are located right here in Ontario, our students can take advantage of a fantastic opportunity through the Ministry of Education.
When your child works through the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) levels, they can actually earn official high school credits. Completing Level 7 (Practical and Theory) counts as a Grade 11 credit, and Level 8 counts as a Grade 12 credit. This is a wonderful way for your child to get rewarded for the hard work they are already doing in our studio, and it can even help lighten their course load during those busy final years of high school!
It’s such an exciting journey, and while every child is different, we’ve seen over and over that amazing things are possible! A child’s success usually comes down to three things: consistent practice, and the wonderful support and dedication you provide as a parent.
When those things come together at our school, the results are truly impressive. Many of our students move through their levels quickly and confidently, with 99% of them earning the highest possible “High Honour” marks on their exams.
Beyond just the grades, our students are regular winners at major music competitions! Whether your child’s goal is to play for fun, build an incredible resume for elite universities, or stand on a stage with a first-place trophy, we have the path to get them there. We’ve seen our students transform from shy beginners into confident performers who are ready to take on the world—both in music and in life! See what our current students are up to here.
If your child is dreaming of attending an elite university—like UofT, Waterloo, McGill, or even Ivy League schools—music can be their “secret weapon.”
Top-tier universities aren’t just looking for high grades; they are looking for “well-rounded” students who have discipline, grit, and long-term commitment. Showing that you have reached a high level in music, or have succeeded in competitions, proves that you know how to work hard and manage your time at an elite level.
Whether your child wants to be a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer, having a strong musical background on their application tells admissions officers: “This student is dedicated, creative, and capable of excellence.” It truly helps them stand out in a sea of applicants!
Our Alumni are studying in the elite universities around the world. You can learn about their journeys here.
We know that many extra-curricular activities in Ontario, like hockey, swimming, or dance, often come with a “mandatory volunteer” policy for parents. You might be used to signing up for snack duties, scorekeeping, or fundraising events just to keep your child in the program.
At our music school, things are much simpler! We do not require any mandatory volunteering from parents. We want you to enjoy your child’s musical journey without the pressure of a “forced” schedule.
While it’s not required, we do love to see families getting involved in other ways! We warmly invite you to join in the fun if you’d like—whether that’s singing along in our family choir or even learning a few notes on an instrument alongside your child. It’s a wonderful way to bond, but it is always 100% your choice. Your only “job” here is to support, encourage and enjoy watching your child grow!
From First Note to Performer
This Could Be Your Child
Do you dream of seeing your child light up the stage? This is not just a dream—it is what our program delivers. We capture the spark and turn it into brilliant skill.
Meet Carson.
He is one example of great progress. He started private lessons with us at age 5, full of energy and curiosity. Just five years later, at age 10, he is a poised and expressive performer!
Watch other amazing transformations from our CAMA students.
Imagine what your child could accomplish with a personalized path built just for them!
Student Performances
Follow CAMA students progress and performances in festivals , concerts, competitions and fundraising events on our socials.
Be in The Know
Our social media pages are the best place to find performance photos, competition results, and reminders about upcoming events and workshops. Join our growing family online! It’s the easiest way to stay inspired and be part of the CAMA conversation.
Explore More
We Invite You to Take a Moment to Discover Everything About Our School
About CAMA
Competitions