Through participating schools, studios or community centres;
Students actively involved in music studies generally improve many areas of their life including concentration, memory and often subjects such as mathematics.
Guidelines for Keyboards for Kids:
Keyboards for Kids has offered hundreds of at-risk children the opportunity to participate in piano lessons (in participating schools or community centres) during their lunch hour thanks to the dedicated support of volunteer teachers.
PROVINCIAL KEYBOARDS COORDINATOR:
Vacant
KEYBOARD VOLUNTEERS:
Margaret King - LYNNWOOD SCHOOL | Edmonton, AB
The Keyboards for Kids program began in Edmonton’s inner city in 1997 as a result of the work and vision of Patricia Frehlich, who was the president of the AMEF Board of Directors at the time, in collaboration with Edmonton Inner City Children’s Program. In subsequent years, the program expanded to Red Deer and Calgary schools, and in 2012 there were 50 students participating in the program. Between 2012 and 2014, the program moved into Bentley, Lacombe, and Fort McMurray.
Keyboards for Kids has offered hundreds of at-risk or underprivileged children the opportunity to participate in piano lessons (in participating schools or community centres) during their lunch hour, thanks to the dedicated support of volunteer teachers.
In 2011-12 the Edmonton program benefited from a partnership with the University of Alberta and Community Service Learning (CSL), involving the University music pedagogy students. These students attended weekly Keyboards for Kids classes; first to audit, then to assist with the teaching. There were nine university students participating and they received a certificate from CSL, which encourages students to participate in activities of a community agency or social action group. By taking part, the students join a growing number of participants from across Canada who connect their education to what matters in their local communities.
We extend our sincere thanks to university professors Janet Scott Hoyt and Shelagh Scott for helping get this project off the ground, and facilitate its partnership every two years when the pedagogy course is offered at the University.
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We gratefully acknowledge the support of Conservatory Canada, who generously offers free music examinations to children in the Keyboards for Kids program. |
If you are interested in bringing this program to your community or becoming a volunteer teacher, please contact the AMEF office:
info@amef.ca | 780-409-8407
