Music Academy

If you are looking for the official website of the Saint James Music Academy, please visit www.sjma.ca

SJMA and Kathy Walker have been big news the past few months!  Click here to see some of the articles, blogs, comments in interviews and even a YouTube video of Bedouin Soundclash performing for the kids!

The Saint James Music Academy opened its doors in September 2007 and offers free music education to children from families with limited financial resources in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. It was born of the conviction that music gives young people the opportunity to gain self-confidence, get an academic head start, develop good relationships, explore their creative potential, and access a world beyond their immediate surroundings.

Our academic year is from September until the end of June, and currently functions as an after-school program from 3:30 PM until 6:00 PM two days per week. Students are escorted to the Academy by volunteers – our "walking school bus" – and are picked up by caregivers after lessons. During our Academy hours of operation we also provide children with a nutritious snack and an arts and crafts program between music classes.

Our students are provided with instruments to take home for practice (with the exception of pianos!). We provide opportunities for all students to attend recitals, symphony concerts and operas. Our students are also encouraged to take the Royal Conservatory of Music exams as a means of goal setting and documenting their progress. We are fortunate to have engaged fantastic instructors who are not only accomplished musicians, but also passionate teachers.

For more information about the Saint James Music Academy, click on the logo above, or click this link to be taken to the SJMA web site.