Frequently Asked Questions
Who are you, and what makes you different?
Toronto Music Alliance was founded in 2011 with the idea of Making Music Make Sense. We strive for the highest-quality music education experience in the GTA. Our faculty is made up of some of the most highly-regarded teachers and performers in Toronto. We regularly have students achieving high honours in RCM exams, festivals and university entrance auditions. Our programs are rich, and diverse, able to cater to every musical need, from the youngest beginner to the most fastidious professional-in-waiting.
We also strive to promote the idea of community in the truest sense. Our staff and students regularly collaborate amongst each other through various groups programs or our Community Mentorship program. We host an annual Bursary Fundraiser concert, where any money that isn’t needed by students in our own school is donated to a worthy charitable cause.
But most of all, we promote the joy and fun of music making! It’s why we do it ourselves, after all.
What programs do you have at your school?
We are proud to have many different instruments and music programs available to our students, including piano (classical, jazz and Suzuki), guitar, a full strings program (violin, viola, cello, double bass), singing (opera, rock/pop) and songwriting. Toronto Music Alliance has a rich Theory program, from Preliminary Rudiments to Advanced Harmony and Counterpoint. We also offer a complete Music History program, drums, and digital music production. Finally, we have a variety of chamber music programs, small ensembles and other opportunities to work with other members of our community.
Throughout the year, we have frequent performance opportunities for students to perform in a variety of settings, including masterclasses, Minicitals and our two main recitals in February and June.
What age can I begin lessons? Is my child too young / Am I too old to start?
Music is wonderfully universal and accessible. If there is a will and ability to work with a teacher for at least 30 minutes a week, there is no such thing as “too young.” It all depends upon the nature of the child, as well as the parental involvement in helping to promote the dedication, routine of practice and celebration of achievement.
Our school has roughly a 60/40 split of children to adult learners. If you think you are “too old” to start, you are in wonderful, extensive company. We often hear the story of “I took music as a child, and I regret dropping it!” We are happy to give you the opportunity to fulfill that desire to play music again. Toronto Music Alliance regularly offers adults-only concerts (including one of our main recital performances) dedicated to bringing all our adult students together to share in their enjoyment of what they’ve learned.
What happens if I have to miss a week?
If you wish to start music lessons, we ask that you take it as seriously as we do teaching it to you. Toronto Music Alliance requires that every student enrolling understands and agrees to our Attendance Policy. We have kept everything in plain language, but we feel that it’s important that music lessons are a commitment to a time with a professional instructor each week. Your teacher has set aside that time specifically for you each and every week, along with all the time spent preparing lesson plans. We have an article regarding the Attendance Policy on our site that explains this in more detail.
If you are away, the lesson is deducted from your yearly total. If the teacher is absent, the lesson is simply taught later in the year. Of course, we do take compassionate reasons into consideration. Some teachers also keep a list of student absences, and try to make up lessons when they know another student will be away. In addition, if possible, some teachers are able to do a make-up lesson in advance before the absence. Please speak to the individual teacher if anything comes up.
We are also able to accommodate an online lesson in lieu of an in-person lesson if you are unable to be at our physicial location that week, but are still able to learn.
What qualifications do your teachers have?
We have musicians and teachers from all over the world, from right here in Canada to the United States, Israel, Russia and Japan. Each teacher brings their own wealth of knowledge and experience to the lessons, but are united in a passion and love of music and learning. We are so proud of our faculty we list their credentials right on their biography pages!
what if i don’t have an instrument yet?
That’s not a problem at all! If you sign up for any string instrument, we have a selection of high quality rental instruments through our partnership with Remenyi House of Music right at the school. Your teacher can help size you at your first lesson to make sure you get the right instrument that suits your needs. All students who enroll with us also receive a Student Discount Card for special discounts at Remenyi. (If you are looking for a piano or keyboard, you can show the card as well!)
what are your facilities like?
We would like to draw special attention to the pianos at our school. We believe the best work and the best results can only happen when you have the best tools at your disposal. Our four piano studios (we have six studios at our school) each house a European hand-built instrument from makers like Schimmel and Bechstein. Our instruments are regularly maintained and cared for. After all, we want our students to look forward to coming and playing music with us; we need our instruments to be as inspiring as the lessons!
Where are you located?
Toronto Music Alliance is located at 323 Oakwood Ave., right in the heart of St. Clair West. There is ample street and Green P parking in the neighbourhood. If you choose to take public transit, we are a short bus ride (or 5-10 minute walk) from the St. Clair LRT and future Oakwood Station on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
Are there any student perks?
Yes! All current students of our school receive the Toronto Music Alliance Student Card. With it, students will receive a 5% discount at Remenyi House of Music on qualifying sheet music purchases (excluding large items like textbooks), which is typically enough to cover the tax. Show the card when you buy or rent an instrument as well! We are very proud to be able to offer our students this wonderful perk for just being a part of our community!
Remenyi House of Music has been a destination for many Toronto musicians - students, amateurs and professionals alike. Remenyi has a vast selection of sheet music and scores, instruments, and tons of accessories. They care about relationships with people as much as music - something Toronto Music Alliance very much agrees with.
Do you offer instrument rentals?
We do! As part of our special relationship with Remenyi House of Music, we are pleased to offer a selection of string instruments available to rent right at our school. These instruments are selected by our faculty and are rented through Remenyi's. Our teachers can help size any student to make sure they get a high-quality instrument suited to their individual needs. Just let us know when enrolling that you would like to rent an instrument, and we can be ready to help!
Instruments that are available to rent include: Bass, Cello, Viola and Violin