Private Music Lessons in Toronto (Leaside & East York)
Leaside Music School offers private music lessons in Toronto for children, teens and adults. Our studio is at 214 Laird Drive in East York, a few minutes' walk from Bayview and Eglinton, and every lesson is one-on-one with a working musician. The school has been teaching since 1965, and every new student starts with a free trial lesson.
What instruments can I learn?
We teach five core programs, plus specialty options for students who know what they want:
- Piano lessons: classical, pop and jazz, with Royal Conservatory (RCM) exam preparation. See also jazz piano lessons.
- Guitar and bass lessons: acoustic and electric guitar, plus bass. Interested in jazz? See jazz guitar lessons.
- Drum lessons: rock, jazz and fusion with working drummers. See rock and jazz drum lessons.
- Voice lessons: technique, songs and songwriting.
- Woodwind lessons: flute, clarinet and saxophone.
How do private music lessons work?
- Get in touch. Tell us about the student, their age, experience and goals, by phone or through our contact form. We will match you with a teacher.
- Try a free lesson. Meet the teacher, see the studio and try a full lesson at no cost.
- Choose a weekly time. Most students take one lesson a week, at the same time each week. Lessons run 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and we recommend 60 minutes where it fits.
- Build a program. Your teacher designs a program around your goals, from learning the songs you love to preparing for RCM exams.
Who are the teachers?
Our faculty are working professional musicians: Jay Burak and Robin Boers (drums), Tim Stokes-Rees (drums and guitar), Kevin McCloskey (guitar and bass), Martin Aucoin, Lili Khachatryan and Polina Melamed (piano), and Melissa Paju (voice, guitar, piano and songwriting). Meet the whole faculty, or read about the school's history and its founder, Paul Robson.
How much do private music lessons cost in Toronto?
Lessons are $40 for 30 minutes, $55 for 45 minutes and $70 for 60 minutes, billed in four-lesson cycles. There are no registration or administration fees, and music lessons are not subject to tax. Your first lesson is a free trial. Full details are on our prices page. For a closer look at what you are paying for, see understanding the cost of music lessons.
What ages do you teach?
We teach students as young as four and as old as eighty, from complete beginners to experienced players. Every program is built around the individual, not the age. If you are an adult wondering whether it is too late, read is it ever too late to learn an instrument? For parents, the best age to start private music lessons explains what to expect.
Where are you located, and when are you open?
The studio is at 214 Laird Drive, 2nd Floor, East York, Toronto, ON M4G 3W4, with parking on Laird and nearby side streets. We are open Monday to Friday from noon to 10:00pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Most lessons are in person, with online lessons available when getting to the studio is difficult. Learn more about lessons for families in Leaside, East York, and Rosedale and Forest Hill.
Are private lessons better than group classes?
One-on-one lessons let your teacher tailor every minute to you: your pace, your goals and the music you want to play. You get immediate feedback, and nobody is waiting for the group to catch up. Group classes have their place, but for steady progress on an instrument, private lessons are hard to beat. Read more in private vs group music lessons.
How do I choose the right music teacher?
Look for real playing experience, warmth with beginners and a willingness to teach the music you care about. Our guides on choosing the best music teacher in Toronto and what to look for in private piano lessons walk through what to ask. The best way to know is to meet the teacher, which is why every new student gets a free trial lesson.
Ready to start? Book a free trial lesson or call 416 483 9117.
