NEW! (MUSIC PUPS): We are opening up a new class on Wednesdays mornings at 9:30am. The following classes are now full: Tuesdays at 9:30am, Fridays at 9:30am.

NEW!! (MYC): The Tuesday Sunshine 1 class at 5:25pm is now full! Feel free to sign up for the Monday class at 5:15pm instead.

Welcome to the Midland School of Music (formerly the Musician Ship Music Studio) in Midland, Ontario.

We offer two internationally recognized music programs for children of all ages: Music Pups (ages 0-3) and Music for Young Children (ages 4-18).

Music Pups (ages 0-3): The Music Pups program is run in ten-week blocks - one each in the Fall, Winter and Spring. Each block consists of one 45-minute class per week for ten weeks. The cost for each block is $135.00, which also includes a songbook and CD of all the songs we will be singing. If you sign up for the first block, you are not obligated to sign up for the others, so it is not a big commitment. Also, one parent/caregiver accompanies the child during the class.

Right now, I have Music Pups classes scheduled for the following times:

Tuesdays 9:30am (FULL!) Wednesdays 9:30am (NEW!) Fridays 9:30am (FULL!) and 10:45am

The first classes will be during the week of September 26. You can also find more information about the Music Pups program specifically at: www.themusicclass.com/Classes/MusicPups.aspx

Note: Please email me at musicianshipstudio@gmail.com to register for Music Pups.

Music for Young Children (ages 4-18):

NEW! The MYC (ages 4-18) class schedule for the 2016-2017 season is now available! Please check the calendar to find out when the new Level 1 (beginner) MYC classes are being offered. NEW!! You can now register for MYC classes on-line! (Registration for Music Pups will not be available on-line).

The MYC program is quite different (and, I think, much better) than private lessons. Two of the big differences are: 1) that the students come in small groups (up to 6 at a time) - which is less intimidating and more fun; and 2) the parents participate in the lessons - this also adds to the fun, and it allows you to be actively involved in your child's learning both in the class and at home when it comes time to practice. The best thing about the program, I feel, is that it is play-based and child-oriented. The children learn through singing, movement, activities and games, and all the musical notes/rhythms have characters and stories associated with them, which greatly helps them remember what they are learning. It is also keyboard-based, but really emphasizes learning the fundamentals of music first (rhythm, learning the notes, note-reading, ear-training) while slowly getting the fingers working on keyboard skills.

The class meets once a week for an hour. Depending on the age at which they begin classes, they are entered at one of three levels: Sunshine (ages 4-5), Sunbeams (ages 6-8) and Moonbeams (ages 9+).

Please give our new on-line registration a try or email with any questions you may have: musicianshipstudio@gmail.com.

I am very much looking forward to my fourth year as a teacher of the Music for Young Children program. Although I have taught private (one-on-one) music lessons for over a decade, I have always felt that there must be a better and more engaging way to to teach the fundamentals of musicianship and instrumental performance to beginners, particularly children; now I have found it! MYC group classes meet children on their level, and through directed, fun activities they hardly realize that they are learning skills that will stay with them their entire lives.

This year I will be teaching all levels of MYC group classes. Please take note of the following age breakdown for beginners, to determine which class will be appropriate for your child: Sunshine 1 (age 4-5 / JK+SK), Sunbeams 1 (ages 6-8), and Moonbeams 1 (ages (9+). Music Pups classes (age 0-3) will be taught again this year by my wife, Kristine.

Kristine and I have lived in the Midland area since 1997, with the exception of a 4-year hiatus during which I returned to university for more advanced music studies. I have a BFA from York University (1993), a MMus in Vocal Performance from the University of Victoria (2010) and am currently completing my PhD dissertation in Musicology from the University of Western Ontario. I have been teaching private lessons in Piano and Voice since 1998.

Despite all this education, I have learned more about myself, life, and teaching from my three wonderful children: Connor (age 8), Maeve (age 6), and Ryan (age 3). Most pertinently, they have made me realize that my old approach to private music lessons must have been so dull! They will be participating in Fall classes, so come out and meet them!

To visit me here again, please remember my URL: www.myc.com/teacher/SPitkanen and enter it in the Address field of your browser next time. If you forget, you can also find me using the "Find a Teacher Near You" on the main page of myc.com.

I hope to see you soon.

Steve Pitkanen Midland School of Music musicianshipstudio@gmail.com (705) 526-6996 Levels Taught

Sunshine 1 Sunshine 2 Sunbeams 1 Sunbeams 2 Sunbeams 3 Moonbeams 1 Moonbeams 2 Moonbeams 3 My Choice

Rates and Prices

MYC classes (Sunshine, Sunbeams, Moonbeams/My Choice):

$68.00 per month for 9 months (this breaks down to about $19.00 per 60 minute class (far cheaper than private lessons!). The cost of books and materials for the year is $170.00, which includes 3 student activity books, parent guide, child-oriented rhythm instruments, music carrying bag, and other miscellaneous materials.

Music Pups (age 0-3):

The cost is $135.00 per ten-week session. This includes a CD containing all songs used in the class (great for listening in the car or at home!) plus a companion music book. We offer 3 sessions during the year (Fall, Winter, Spring). Other (Policies, descriptions)