2024-2025 Registration in on now
Registration for music lessons is available year round. Please click the registration form button below. Once you have completed the form, our administration team will be in communication with lesson time options. Want to ask a question first? Book a phone call with our team or click here to fill out an email inquiry form.
Pictured: Chinook School of Music in North Haven
News and Highlights
Two locations to serve you in SW Marda Loop & NW North Haven Calgary!
We are thrilled to announce the opening of our second location in the NW Calgary community of North Haven.
Our North Haven location offers private music lessons for all ages and select group programs including Music Kids! North Haven is a community located east of 14th Street NW near the Calgary Winter Club and Nose Hill Park. It is easily accessible via 14th Street, John Laurie Blvd and Deerfoot Trail and is near the neighbourhoods of Cambrian Heights, Highwood, Thorncliffe, Highland Park, Rosemont, Queens Park Village, Huntington Hills, Dalhousie, Brentwood, Charleswood and Collingwood.
Our Marda Loop location is centrally located in SW Calgary and is easily accessible via Crowchild Trail, Elbow Drive and 14th Street SW.
More group programs for kids and adults than ever!
We’re pleased to offer more group classes than ever before for children and adults in many different instruments. Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced player, we have a class for you. Explore group programs now.
More in-home lesson availability!
We’ve added more in-home lesson time options in the central SW. Whether you are interested in learning piano, guitar, voice or another instrument, our experienced instructors will come to your home and provide personalized instruction tailored to your musical goals.
What We Offer
Piano Lessons
Piano lessons are a popular choice at Chinook School of Music. For many, playing the piano provides a lifetime of enjoyment whether it is playing timeless classics, pop songs off the radio, or holiday favourites during the festive season.
Often musicians begin their musical studies with the piano as many of the skills developed with this instrument such as reading the treble and bass clefs, establishing a sense of rhythm, developing an ear for harmony, and strengthening coordination are transferable to other instruments.
Many of our students at Chinook School of Music choose to take Royal Conservatory of Music examinations while others are keen to chart their own path of study with music ranging from contemporary and pop to jazz and blues. Students have an opportunity to learn with their peers in our Piano Club or our Masterclass series. We find that age five is an appropriate age to start private piano lessons. Read an article: Piano Parents: Is Your Child Set Up For Musical Success
Music Kids Private Lessons
Chinook School of Music’s private Music Kids lessons incorporate the fundamentals of music study with the fun of the Music Kids curriculum. This is a fantastic introduction for children who are at a pre-reading stage and are ready to try a private lesson without the necessity of a practice routine at home. Introductory rhythm and note reading is taught through singing, drums, games, movement and playing the piano.
After a year of Music Kids private lessons, parents are much more aware of which instrument will be the best fit for their child as they progress onto structured private lessons in specific instruments.
Vocal Lessons
Learn to sing Broadway, Pop, Classical, Opera, Folk, Jazz and more at Chinook School of Music! Our vocal instructors assist students, ages six to adulthood in establishing healthy vocal technique to expand vocal range and singing enjoyment. Our instructors create a comfortable environment for self-expression and musical development. Voice lessons incorporate learning technique, developing repertoire and building self confidence.
Vocal + Piano Combo Lessons
Piano and voice combo lessons are perfect for the young beginner. These lessons provide a fun and engaging way for students to learn the foundations of piano and vocal technique. After one to two years of study, we recommend that students transition to separate lessons in each instrument.
Guitar, Ukulele & Bass Lessons
We teach all styles and genres of music for ukulele and electric, acoustic, classical and bass guitar. Whether your passion is to play in a rock band, read music, learn chords and tabs, or prepare classical music repertoire for examinations, Chinook School of Music instructors will meet all of these goals and more. Let us know what your musical aspirations are and we will match you with the best instructor.
Guitar Rentals
CSM is pleased to offer a guitar rental program for our students. Our high-quality guitars come in 1/2, 3/4 and full size for students of all ages. The cost of a guitar rental is $27 per month + GST. Payment plans are offered. Contact administration for more information.
Drum Lessons
Nothing gets your adrenaline flowing like playing the drums! Drums engage both the linear and creative sides of your brain, making it a great body and brain exercise. Our drum instructors teach students ages six to adults and can teach all musical styles. Read and article: Benefits of Learning the Drums for Adults and Children.
Violin Lessons
Chinook School of Music offers an Introductory Violin Group Class for ages four and five where students learn the fundamentals of violin playing such as bowing, notes and rhythms. By the end of the session students are playing melodies and are ready for private lessons.
We teach beginner to advanced violin students. For beginner violin students, our instructors utilize the Suzuki violin repertoire, Royal Conservatory of Music and more to create a well-rounded musical experience. Students of all ages and levels have an opportunity to play in our string ensembles.
Cello Lessons
We offer all levels of cello study. Adult students have an opportunity to join our Chinook School of Music’s Adult Cello Choir and younger students can join our string ensembles. We recommend cello studies for students ages 6+.
Flute & Saxophone Lessons
Whether you are looking to advance your playing skills in the school band or you are attracted to the melodic sound of the flute and the soulful sound of the saxophone, Chinook School of Music provides flute and saxophone lessons from beginner to advanced levels. We recommend flute and saxophone lessons for students ages eight and older.
Music Theory: Rudiments, History, Harmony, Counterpoint & Analysis
Studying theory can greatly enhance student’s understanding and enjoyment of music. Starting music theory at a young age strengthens student’s abilities to read notes and understand repertoire.
Students taking Royal Conservatory examinations starting at level 5 have one or more theory co-requisites. Students planning to enter University level music studies are required to complete some or all of these theory prerequisites. Students are eligible to receive high school credits for many of their music classes.
Theory instruction is available in group and private settings.
Music for Seniors
At Chinook School of Music we offer senior citizens, sixty years and older, a 10% discount on all products and services including lessons and music books upon request before your lessons begin. We offer convenient daytime and early afternoon scheduling for our senior community.
Lesson Registration F.A.Q
Will online lessons still be available as well as in-person and in-home lessons?
We now offer online lessons as a permanent option for students as well as in-person lessons at our studios and in-home lessons in students’ homes.
How are students placed in the schedule?
During the advanced registration period (May 1-8) students keeping their current times and instructors are placed first in the schedule in order to establish the spaces available for students who are requesting time changes. Students who are requesting lesson time changes are accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis. New family members of current families receive priority after current students are placed. The schedule is then opened up to new students and families for the duration of the year.
If I do not register during the advanced registration period what happens?
Current students who do not register during the advanced registration period risk losing their current instructor, lesson day, and time. Lesson registration is ongoing throughout the year, there are always spaces available for new students at one of our two locations.
How long should my lessons be this year?
This is a general guideline for determining what lesson duration to register for:
Ages 12+ - 45-60 mins
Beginner to Royal Conservatory of Music level 1 - 30 mins
Royal Conservatory of Music levels 2-4 - 45 mins
Royal Conservatory of Music levels 5+ - 60 mins
If you are questioning whether to increase your lesson duration, please discuss it with your teacher.
Can I register for group programs at the same time?
Registration opens for our group programs at the same time as private lessons. Group program registration also takes place year-round.
What is the registration fee?
A non-refundable registration fee of $30 per student is debited from your Wellnessliving account within 14 business days of your registration or once your lesson time has been confirmed.
“We are so grateful for the talented musicians who have not only taught our children how to play, but also how to love music. This music school embraces your children where they are and allows for all different approaches to musical pedagogy.”
“As an adult, I was intimidated taking music lessons for the first time since I was a child. I really love how welcoming the Chinook School of Music has been to people without much of a musical background. I like that no matter how much I have struggled, I am never made to feel inadequate or that I don’t belong. Jay is an excellent instructor and have already recommended the Campfire Guitar class to friends.”
“My instructor, Ryan was a true professional and a pleasure to work with. I started learning guitar with him when I was in my 60’s and if it wasn’t for his motivational teaching skills I would have stopped a long time ago.”
Recitals, Festivals, Masterclasses
At Chinook School of Music we believe that performing is essential to building a strong foundation for musical growth. We are pleased to offer our students multiple performance opportunities ranging from casual to formal.
The Performance Masterclass Series
The Performance Masterclass Series is our student’s first opportunity each school year to perform for an audience and receive feedback on their performance. This is a wonderful opportunity for first-timers to experience the excitement of performing in a small and intimate setting. The Performance Masterclass Series is scheduled in late fall/early winter.
Chinook Celebration of Music Festival
In the Chinook Celebration of Music Festival, students perform a musical selection for a professional adjudicator and receive both written and verbal feedback on their performances. This non-competitive festival is for students in all instruments and of all skill levels starting at age 5. Musicians are scheduled into classes based on age and level of study. The annual festival is scheduled in late February/early March.
Year End Recitals
Our year-end recitals are the perfect way to showcase your hard work and dedication to your friends and family at the end of the school year. Performances take place in a theatre-style setting with a full production team. Year-end recitals are scheduled at the end of June.
Workshops & Special Performance Opportunities
Throughout the school year, additional performance opportunities are available such as holiday caroling, performances at retirement facilities, summer concerts and more.