Music School

Bringing the Joy of Music to Kids in Regent Park

Dixon Hall Music School has been providing lessons to thousands of children in the Regent Park, Moss Park and St. Lawrence neighbourhoods since 1978.

Over the years, we’ve built a strong reputation as a music school that provides a cultural lifeline to families from all walks of life.

We offer a comprehensive music program that sees students through all stages of their musical and personal development.

We believe in giving students a solid groundwork in music education by offering them individual lessons together with additional training to help them flourish.

A young girl stands on stage in front of a microphone, singing with her arms outstretched. She is wearing a light-colored sweater and black leggings. In the background, a pianist is playing a grand piano on a dimly lit stage with red lighting.

A young boy wearing a red hoodie is playing the drums with a big smile on his face. He holds drumsticks in both hands and looks to the side while surrounded by a drum set, including cymbals and toms. The background features blue acoustic panels on the wall.

Our dedicated staff help students find ways to increase their self-esteem and confidence by providing them with the resources and inspiration to expand their worlds and realize their true potential.

Programs and Registration

How to Register

Getting Your Child Registered at Dixon Hall Music School:

Students at Dixon Hall Music School have access to:

Half-hour, private lessons, group, and ensemble classes in over 20 subject areas
Instruments to rent for $5 a month
Free tickets to concerts in many genres of music, dance and theatre
Intensive and exhilarating spring, summer and winter music camps

Lessons are taught by professional musicians who are supportive and encouraging, all who have degrees in music and a broad range of experience in music.

Students will gain a strong groundwork in technique, skill and theory with the goal of building confidence and introducing them to the joy of playing music. Lessons are tailored according to each student’s age, skill and learning style.

Private Lessons

We offer private, half-hour lessons for the following instruments:

Age 5+ : Piano, Recorder, Violin, Viola

Age 6+ : Clarinet, Drums, Percussion, Flute, Saxophone, Voice

Age 8+ : Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Cello, Classical Guitar, Music Theory

Age 10+: Songwriting and Recording: students work with our Recording Engineer/Producer, Daniel Sheikh, to learn how to write, record, and produce their own music in our recording studio.

A collage of four photos featuring young musicians engaged in different activities:
Top-left image – A young boy in a navy hoodie is playing the piano, focused on the keys while an instructor observes.
Top-right image – A boy in a camouflage hoodie is playing an acoustic guitar, looking down at the strings.
Bottom-left image – A drummer wearing headphones and glasses is actively playing a drum set, surrounded by various percussion instruments.
Bottom-right image – A boy wearing a navy hoodie and headphones is smiling while singing into a professional microphone in a recording studio.

Group Lessons

Group Lessons are offered in:

Early Childhood Music
Ear Training
Choir

Early Childhood Music: Ages 1+

Mondays:

4:45 pm to 5:30 pm: Ages 3-5 years-old

Saturdays:

10:30 am: Ages 1.5 – 3 years-old

11:30 am: Ages 1.5 – 3 years-old

12:30 pm: Ages 3 – 5 years-old

Using traditional Orff instruments such as marimba and xylophone, this class uses movement, singing, playing and improvisation to teach young children music fundamentals while having lots of fun. Early Childhood Music is based on a system developed by composer Carl Orff called Orff Schulwerk.

Choir: Ages 6+

Mondays from 4:45 pm to 5:30 pm for FREE

For kids who like to sing, the choir is a great way to learn vocal and performance techniques within a positive group setting.

Ear Training: For students enrolled in private lessons.

Free half hour sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays

Ear training helps students improve their listening skills, which can significantly enhance their playing and preparation for exams.

A collage of three photos featuring children engaged in music activities:
Top-left image – A young girl is playing the piano while an instructor sits beside her, pointing at sheet music. They are in a bright music classroom.
Top-right image – A young boy in a blue shirt is attentively looking at sheet music while an instructor in a brown sweater points at the notes.
Bottom image – A group of smiling children is gathered in a classroom with wooden chairs, some holding music sheets and making playful gestures toward the camera.

Adapted Music Lessons and Music Therapy

We offer Adapted Music Lessons and Music Therapy on Thursdays and Fridays for youth ages 4 to 22 who reside at any Toronto address on a sliding scale from $6-$24 per half hour session.

30-Minute Music Therapy Sessions

One-on-one with our Music Therapist Hayley Naunton (MTA), students explore music making, singing, improvisation, songwriting, movement, listening, to meet goals such as: improving communication and motor skills; developing coping skills to handle complex emotions (anxiety); increasing social interaction and self-expression.

30-Minute Adapted Music Lessons

One-on-one with our Music Therapist Hayley Naunton (MTA) students with various intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities learn Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Violin, or Recorder in an alternative way at their own pace.

Click here to register for Adapted Lessons or Music Therapy

Camps

At Dixon Hall Music School, we believe in extending our learning and character building activities beyond the walls of the Music School. Our extensive camp programs send hundreds of youth to music and arts camps throughout the year.

Our Music Camps are available during March Break and throughout the summer months.

Dixon Hall Music School Overnight Camps:

Hart House Farms in Caledon

Dixon Hall Music Camp is a free intensive and exhilarating event that takes students 8 years and up to a farm northwest of Toronto during the summer and March break. There, students have the freedom to create, inspire and achieve. Many of our students return year after year, rejoicing in the friendships and atmosphere.

A group of people, including children and teenagers, are scattered across a large grassy field, some walking and others playing. The scene is bathed in warm sunlight, casting long shadows on the ground. Trees and dense greenery surround the open space, creating a peaceful outdoor setting.

Two people are engaged in a snowball fight in a snowy outdoor setting surrounded by trees. A young girl in a purple snowsuit is mid-throw, launching a snowball towards another person in a black winter coat and hat, who is partially hiding behind a tree. The ground is covered in fresh snow, and a warning sign is visible near the tree.

Partner Camps:

National Music Camp
Royal Conservatory of Music
Harbourfront Centre
Canadian Opera Company
Music at Port Milford
And more!

A young girl wearing a navy hoodie and pink pants is playing a digital keyboard while wearing large headphones. She is seated on a red folding chair, focused and smiling as she plays. The background includes a window with natural light and a stack of pillows and blankets.

A young man dressed in black is seated on a red folding chair, playing a classical guitar. He is illuminated by warm sunlight, with a focused expression. Behind him, there is a stone fireplace with a mantel holding small objects, a sign with fireplace instructions, and a stack of board games.

Program Length

Lessons run weekly from September to June, with the option of extra lessons in July.

Program Fees

Between $4-$22. All of our lessons are subsidized, and cost is based on a financial assessment.

Eligibility

Who can register?

Youth living in the Regent Park/Moss Park/St. Lawrence neighbourhoods
Children ages 5+ for private lessons, with no age restriction once registered
The youngest age we accept is 1.5 years old for our Early Childhood Music Program