AMP music school for kids opens in its news space
Trent Roset, one half of Hatter acoustic duo Mahoney, is gearing up for the upcoming semester of his music school, which after six years now has its own space.
“It’s been a long-term dream to be in this industry,” said Roset. “To bring up the next generation of musicians, I want to be a part of that. It’s exciting to me.”
Academy of Music and Performance (AMP) originally began with Roset offering guitar and ukulele lessons, moving into a downtown church at one point.
“Two years ago we started teaching piano, drums, ukulele, voice and then we started teaching kids’ classes, which we call ‘Foundations,’” said Roset.
He anticipates having “well over 100” students this year.
Roset said his work taking audience requests for Mahoney, forcing him to figure out songs on the spot, has helped him find a unique style of instruction.
“It’s based individually from student to students,” said Roset. “We try to cater specifically to their musical preferences and their style of learning. If they like one certain style, we’ll learn that song immediately and teach it to them in that moment, right there at the lesson.”
The next step is to turn AMP into a music store, he added.
“Eventually, I like the idea of having a few products for the students who come here. And I like the idea of looking into some unique instruments that you don’t often see around Medicine Hat,” Roset said.
The school already began this process of branching out by offering lessons in everything from DJ-ing and synthesizers to mandolins and banjos.
“It’s kind of a juxtaposition — super digital or super acoustic,” he said. “Those are the two directions we’re going to go.” The semester begins today. More information is available at the website www.ampmh.com or call 403-528-5690.