2024-2025 Advanced Registration April 28-May 8, 2024
During advanced registration, Chinook School of Music students can submit their preferences for lesson days, times, and instructors or request scheduling changes for the 2024-2025 school year which begins in September.
All requests for changes to lesson schedules are handled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Please fill out a registration form for each student in your family.
Once you have completed the form, our CSM administration team will be in communication via email in the upcoming weeks to confirm your lesson time.
A non-refundable registration fee of $30 per student will be debited from your Wellnessliving account within 14 business days of receiving your registration.
2023-2024 Lesson Registration
We offer year-round registration for music lessons. Please fill out a registration form for each student in your family. Once you have completed the form, our CSM administration team will be in communication with lesson time options. Want to ask a question first? Book a callback time with our team or click here to fill out an email inquiry form.
Once your lesson time is confirmed, a non-refundable registration fee of $25 per student is due and will be debited from your account on Wellnessliving within 14 business days of receiving your registration.
2024-2025 Advanced registration for current students will take place in early May, 2024
2023-2024 News & Highlights
Second location in NW Calgary!
We are thrilled to announce the opening of our second location in the NW Calgary community of North Haven.
Our second location offers private music lessons for all ages and select group programs for the 2023-2024 school year 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.
More group programs for kids & 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, there is a class for you. Explore group classes 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 CSM string ensembles.
Cello Lessons
We offer all levels of cello study. Adult students have an opportunity to join our CSM Adult Cello Choir and younger students can join our CSM 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
2023-2024 Lesson Rates
The rates for lessons are available on your re-registration form for your review before enrolling.
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 the 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 CSM families receive priority after current students are placed. The schedule is then opened up to new students and families to CSM for the duration of the year.
Will my instructor have the same teaching schedule next year?
Many of our instructors are maintaining the same teaching schedule for the 2023-2024 school year. We have asked our teachers to notify their students of any changes to their teaching schedule. If your instructor’s schedule has changed, we will communicate different options including keeping your current lesson time with a new teacher.
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 CSM locations.
How long should my lessons be this year?
This is a general guideline for determining what lesson length to register for:
Ages 12+ - 45-60 min lessons are recommended.
Beginner to RCM level 1 - 30 mins
RCM levels 2-5 - 45 mins
RCM levels 6+ - 60 mins
If you are questioning whether to increase your lesson length, please discuss with your teacher.
Can I register for group classes at the same time?
Registration opens for our group classes next year at the same time as private lessons. Group class registration takes place year round on our Group Programs page.
What is the registration fee?
A non-refundable registration fee of $25 per student will be debited from your Wellnessliving account within 14 business days of your registration or once your lesson time has been confirmed.
“My instructor Ryan Ronksley 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.”
Recommended lesson lengths
for all lesson types:
This is a general guideline for determining the appropriate lesson length to sign up for:
Ages 12+ - 45-60 minutes unless beginner level.
Beginner - RCM level 2 - 30 minutes
RCM levels 2-5 - 45 minutes
RCM levels 6+ - 60 minutes
“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. ”
“Kevin is the most amazing piano teacher! He has the ability to make learning the piano easy and fun. In under three years my daughter has gone from RCM grade five to grade nine. I myself started piano last fall and I am already well into grade two. In the time my daughter and myself were having online lessons with Kevin, we were both able to progress with our studies unhindered, and always received positive feedback and encouragement from Kevin’s teaching. Having Kevin as our teacher has been a wonderful experience for the both of us, and we can’t wait to continue this into the future!”
Recitals, Workshops, Performance Masterclass Series, and the Chinook Celebration of Music Festival
At CSM we believe that performance is part of a healthy foundation for growth as a musician. We are pleased to offer our students multiple performance opportunities scheduled intentionally to provide students with cornerstones for learning to scale their growth and development. These opportunities are available for all private lesson students at both CSM locations.
The Performance Masterclass Series
The Performance Masterclass series is our student’s first opportunity to perform for an audience, get comfortable on stage and receive feedback. This is a wonderful opportunity for first-timers to experience the joy of performance 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. Students 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. Students perform on stage with a full production team in a theatre-style setting. Year-end recitals are scheduled at the end of June.
Workshops & Special Performance Opportunities
Throughout the school year, additional performance opportunities, workshops, or showcases are available to CSM students such as holiday caroling in the community, performances at retirement facilities, summer concerts and more.