It says “music for everyone” on the window sign. That’s his motto. And David Stone takes it seriously. That’s why his school, Toronto Music Alliance, partnered with the Arts Access Fund 13 years ago. To help everyone, even those who can’t afford it, get music in their lives.
The fund is meant to provide opportunities for children, youth, and teens who have the passion but lack the means to develop their artistic talents.
At the school there’s violin, viola, cello, double bass, vocals, guitar and electric bass. There’s theory, harmony and counterpoint, composition, digital music production, jazz, and speech arts, to name a few things.
There are 16 professional instructors, including David, who teach 300 students a week.
And this year, the school is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Quite the accomplishment for a small business. But it’s likely David’s community centred philosophy that keeps students coming and his business running.
“As schools continue to be gutted, institutions like the Toronto Music Alliance are all that stand between growing student possibility and cultural wasteland,” says David.
And it’s never too late. Adults can take music classes too.
