Our Musical Foundations program is designed for 4-6 year-old children who are ready for private lessons, but haven’t chosen an instrument yet. With these 30 minute introductory music lessons, your child will gain exposure to singing, piano, recorder, ukulele, and percussion instruments while developing skills in an individual setting. We explore concepts like steady beat, matching pitch, and learning to read rhythm to build a solid foundation for when your child is ready to take music lessons on their instrument of choice. In our Musical Foundations program, parents are asked to stay for the lesson and be a support to your child.
Our Musical Foundations instructors
We currently have three instructors teaching in our Musical Foundations program. Two of these instructors also teach group music classes for young children at the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts, so your child may already be familiar with them. This provides a comfortable and positive start to private lessons!
Megan Guevarra is a musician and music educator singing actively in the Winnipeg arts scene. She has a Bachelor in Music concentrating in Music Education. Her performance training focuses on vocal jazz and musical theatre repertoire. Megan hones in on technique, score study and performance-that’s where the magic truly happens. Megan wants to help your child find a love for music! Book your free consultation with Megan today!
Donna Linklater has a Bachelor of Music with a major in applied voice as well as an early childhood education diploma. She’s also certified in RCM early childhood music, Kodaly and Orff, and has 15+ years experience teaching early childhood music. Book your free consultation with Donna today!
McKenna Ogg is a Certified Music Therapist (MTA) who completed her Bachelor of Music Therapy from Canadian Mennonite University. She was a voice major in university, studying classical voice as well as jazz and pop. She also took guitar and piano lessons. Because she’s coming from a music therapy lens, McKenna has an understanding of developmental stages and how to adapt her music activities to best suit her students. Book your free consultation with McKenna today!
Our student/Musical Foundations instructor matching service
The student/Musical Foundations instructor combination has an impact on a student’s learning, achieving and enjoyment of their musical experience, so it’s important to make the best match possible. That’s why our process includes an assessment of the students’ needs to match them with a faculty member for a free consultation.
We even offer the option to enroll 2-3 children in a Musical Foundations lesson together! This is a great way for children to learn from each other, and it’s more convenient for families.
If you have a specific Musical Foundations instructor in mind, please call our office at 204-988-7650 to find out more about available music lesson slots in their schedule.
Musical Foundations lesson fees
Musical Foundations instructor rates vary depending on the academic credentials and teaching experience of each instructor. Our 30 minute Musical Foundations lessons range from $25–$35 per lesson. If you choose to enroll 2-3 children together in a lesson, the price per child will be reduced. All Musical Foundations lessons are weekly, unless otherwise specified.
All Musical Foundations lessons are weekly, unless otherwise specified. Tuition may be paid in one lump sum or installment payments. All tuition must be paid in full or secured with payment method 24 hours in advance of the first scheduled lesson day. Registrations are not confirmed and lessons will not begin until payment has been received/confirmed.
A non-refundable annual registration fee of $50 per student (or $100 per family) is applied to the first registration during the academic year. Students who choose to register for less than the full academic year must register for a block of a minimum of ten lessons to reserve a specific lesson time in your teacher’s schedule. If you choose to register for additional blocks of lessons over the same academic year, each registration will include a 10% administration fee.
Students facing financial barriers to enrolling in music lessons are invited to apply for one of our bursaries.
Overdue installments, installments that are declined, and installments returned as “NSF” will be subject to a $40 fee, and lessons will be suspended. It is solely your responsibility to ensure that installments are made. Please notify us of any changes to your plan by calling our office at 204-988-7650.
Musical Foundations academic year and lessons
The regular academic year starts in September and runs until June. Students may register for either a full year or 12-week seasonal sessions.
Attendance/absences
No refunds will be issued or makeup lessons scheduled for classes missed by the student. You are reserving a specific class time with a faculty member that is held for your convenience each week. An exception will be made for medical reasons. The student must notify us of the illness or injury, and must supply a doctor’s note, within 14 days of notification. Out of courtesy to our faculty, we ask that you notify our office by e-mail at info@mcma.ca or telephone at 204-988-7650 if you will be absent.
Lessons missed by reason of teacher absence will be made up or credited. Every attempt will be made to reschedule this missed lesson to avoid an accumulation of lessons outstanding.
Withdrawals and refunds
Four lesson weeks’ written notice must be provided for withdrawal from individual lessons. Tuition is payable for the duration of the four-week period whether the student attends the classes or not. A form is available from our office for the student or parent to fill out as notice of withdrawal. Registration and installment fees are non-refundable.
Non-attendance does not constitute notice of withdrawal. Written notice MUST be submitted.
Two week trial
A two week trial period is offered when a new student begins Musical Foundations music lessons. During this trial period, the student can request to be transferred to another teacher, or withdraw from lessons without providing four weeks notice. Every attempt will be made to find the best student/teacher match.
Notice of transfer or withdrawal within this trial period must be given in writing at least 48 hours before the next scheduled lesson. This right can be exercised only once per registered individual in any academic year.