Toronto School For Strings

they’re as qualified/​experienced as rcm teachers but seem less rigid, which imo is a good thing with young children. the teachers are friendly, and able to balance technique mastery with the enjoyment of music — not always an easy thing to do.
administration is competent. lesson times seem a bit more limited than other places, but still workable.

In November 2010 our youngest child was struck with the notion that he’d like to try violin. Up to that point, he had been dabbling in piano lessons once a week with a neighbour lady.
We found TSS on the web and decided to try a couple of months with Julian Fisher. Julian takes the «whole musician» approach and encouraged our son in ALL aspects of musicianship, whether playing for friends or at Kiwanis festivals. Each year our son had opportunities to play at recitals and in summer at a camp. We were delighted when TSS expanded to include piano (Susan Hamblin Dennis) as well.
Next month (June 2014) our son will play his Grade 6 violin RCM exam. In December 2014 he plans to do Grade 9 RCM in piano.
We attribute his rapid success in violin and piano to the excellent and nurturing tutelage through TSSP.

3.5 stars. Teachers are talented and inspiring, but sometimes it is a bit hard to follow them as lessons tend to be rushed. They do amazing job at teaching not just techniques but also putting more emotion into the music. They know where improvement and practice are needed. Instructors are generally friendly, but sometimes they get impatient if you are a bit slow.
1-​on-​1 lessons are once per week. They are very strcit with schedules, and cancelling at the last moment results in service charge. Also offered is flexible plan where you go any time of the week if you cannot go with fixed day, but it costs extra. Lessons cover playing instruments and music theory. They offer lessons for anything from guitar to cello as long as it is string instrument.