Wilton Academy of Music
Wilton Academy of Music has enjoyed another fantastic year of music education in Saskatoon. Nicole Wilton has directed the Community Music Education Program (CMEP) for over 15 years, acquiring private ownership three years ago from the University of Saskatchewan. Since then the program has continued to grow through its offering of early childhood music classes for ages birth to six years through a unique age-specific curriculum that prepares children for instrumental lessons at a young age.
The CMEP music program will continue this year at a variety of venues throughout the city: Albert Community Centre on Clarence Avenue; St. John’s Parish Hall (behind the Cathedral on Spadina Crescent); and Wildwood Mennonite Church on Acadia Drive. In addition, early childhood music classes are offered to various preschools & daycare/childcare centres around the city by request.
The demand for private instrumental lessons has increased greatly over the last year, and Wilton is excited to have secured an amazing new venue for these lessons. St. John’s Parish Hall provides the academy with three designated studio rooms in a very safe and central location. Wilton Academy has highly experienced and educated teachers, with both Suzuki and traditional piano, guitar and violin options.
Wilton Academy has also broadened its scope of music education through the accreditation of Nicole Wilton as a certified Teacher Trainer for Suzuki Piano through the Suzuki Association of Americas (SAA). As one of only five trainers in all of Canada, she is now offering one-on-one or group teacher training in all Suzuki book levels locally and nationally.
In the past year, Wilton has received the Canada 150 Award in recognition of her decades of providing quality music education in the Saskatoon community and beyond, as well as a nomination for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Education.
And in other news, Wilton Academy is very proud of its new partnership with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (SSO) in their outreach programming of “Time For Toddlers.” With this unique program, SSO musicians provide parent and child experiences in exploring music through movement, song and dance. There are three exciting events scheduled for the coming school year to take place at the Albert Community Centre location on Oct. 24, Feb. 13 and May 1. More information is available on the SSO website.
As the new school year approaches, Wilton and her instructors anticipate another full year of excellent classes and lessons with the growing number of Saskatoon families who desire to develop and nurture a life-long love of music.
Details and registration info can be found at www.wiltonmusic.com.