Bakerview Music Academy is an El Sistema-based program offering donor-funded music lessons for children in Abbotsford. Read more about the El Sistema story here.
Every school year, our students take part in after-school group music lessons from professional music teacher-artists. Our students enjoy a nutritious snack, followed by choir, musicianship, and instrument classes on the violin, viola, and cello. This free program runs twice a week from September to May. New students can apply here.
In a world where kids are challenged more than ever to perform their highest level, navigate complex mental health issues, and still be kids, BMA provides a calm and reassuring environment that gives every child the opportunity to excel regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances.
We acknowledge that we teach and learn on the Traditional, Ancestral, Unceded, and Shared territories of the Stó:lō people, Sema:th, and Matheqwí First Nations.
Why are we doing this?
We believe in building our community through music. Our program gives students from all backgrounds the wonderful gift of making music, but our real goal is to teach them to work together, learning self-expression, achievement, teamwork, leadership, and friendship. We give them a safe space to make music and to build a healthy future.
Who are we?
We are a non-profit, charitable society. Directed by a volunteer Board, our core staff includes an administrator, community coordinator, and program director. We have a team of professional music teacher-artists and a network of volunteers who do everything from preparing food to walking students over from their nearby schools. Our rental facilities are generously provided at a non-profit rate by Bakerview Church, but we are not religiously affiliated. We are proud to be members of the Sistema Canada Network.
