Student Centered Programming
At Sarah McLachlan School of Music, we are so much more than a music school—we are a community dedicated to empowering young artists to “find their voice” and express themselves through the transformative power of music. Our comprehensive programs go beyond lessons, offering group classes, private instruction, performance opportunities, camps, and even a nutritious daily snack program. We also provide transportation support and host guest artists to introduce students to diverse musical styles and experiences.
With campuses in Vancouver, New West, and Edmonton, as well as outreach and partner programs, SoM is committed to breaking down barriers to music education. Our compassionate, student-centered approach ensures that every participant, regardless of their life circumstances, feels supported and included.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, SoM remains entirely free for all students, making accessible, equitable, and barrier-free music education a reality.
At SoM, all programs are completely tuition-free, ensuring accessibility for every student without reliance on fees or bursaries. This model allows us to focus on meeting the unique needs and aspirations of each participant.
100% Tuition Free
Rather than following a rigid curriculum, SoM empowers young artists to collaborate in designing their class time, rehearsals, and performances, fostering creativity and ownership of their musical journey.
Student Driven Learning
SoM prioritizes access, acceptance, and agency at every stage of the student experience. From joining our community to selecting programs and shaping learning outcomes, students are supported in discovering their unique path.
Affirming Programming
Every student at SoM receives a nutritious daily snack, providing the energy and focus needed for creative learning. This small but vital support helps foster a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Daily Snack Program
To ensure all students can attend regardless of logistical challenges, SoM offers free transportation support. By removing this barrier, we make it easier for young artists to participate fully in our programs.
Transportation Program
The Student Lounge is the heart of SoM—a welcoming space where students connect with peers and staff before and after classes. With activities, crafts, and daily snacks, it ensures everyone feels supported and ready to learn.
Student Lounge Access
DISCOVER, CREATE &
grow
All students begin with our foundational Musical Discovery program. This class builds essential skills and musical knowledge in a fun, group setting. From here, students can choose a focus instrument—like guitar, piano, percussion, or songwriting—and dive deeper into their musical journey. This program is perfect for beginners and helps prepare students for advanced opportunities.
Core Musical Discovery Program
locations
OUR
Vancouver
In 2009, The Wolverton Family Foundation invested $7.7 million to help develop SoM's Vancouver facility. Over 880 students are impacted by SoM’s +46,000 hours of offered programming each year in Vancouver.
New West
SoM’s New West program began in 2016 as a pilot in local elementary schools. In fall 2024, a new partnership with Douglas College in New Westminster provided state-of-the-art facilities, supporting over 100 students.
Edmonton
SoM Edmonton opened in 2016 and partnered with MacEwan University in early 2023 to offer classes in their Department of Music building. Now Edmonton offers over 11,000 hours of music education to more than 170 students each year.
Apply to be a Student at SoM
Program FAQs
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The first class a student joins is a one-hour, weekly group class which we call “Musical Discovery”. We work to match the students’ interests, whether it's exploring an instrument, vocals, or song writing. This is their “home” at SoM where they can meet like-minded young musicians who are interested in learning and developing similar skills. The goal for this class is to build community, share our musical achievements and grow together.
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Our after-school program runs Mondays - Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. We have three terms: September to December; January to March; April to June.
Students register in September for the full year, taking the same class until June. -
Once the student is regularly attending their group class, demonstrating an active interest and commitment, they can request to add a 30 minute private lesson, book production time, or join a second group class to explore other interests.
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Group lessons usually have a student-to-teacher ratio of 6 to 1. This ratio can fluctuate, depending on students’ needs.
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No. SoM has an instrument lending program, available to all SoM students.
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No, everyone must be part of a group class.
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Instrument availability is dependent upon the location you hope to attend. All locations have guitar, percussion, voice, piano, ukulele, band and songwriting.
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Everything at SoM is always free. Students demonstrate their interest in more opportunities by committing and attending the majority of their weekly classes.
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There are student lounges at our Vancouver and Edmonton locations where students are welcome to hang out before class.
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SoM has a limited number of seats to provide free transportation from eight Vancouver School Board elementary schools and two Surrey elementary schools. Please ask admissions if you are eligible, and if there is space available.
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Students ages 15+ have access to SoM on Fridays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm for jamming time. Rooms are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Room limit use is 90 minutes. Different staff members are available to help students set up the equipment and ensure the safety of the space.
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No, they must go through the registration process and sign up for their own class.
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SoM offers student performance opportunities such as Open Mics, Winter Concerts and Year-end Student Showcases, which families are invited to attend. We support students performing when they are ready, but not every student will perform at every event.
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Students are always encouraged to participate in performance opportunities but are not required to do so.
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When that happens, please make sure to contact the school to let us know as soon as possible.
Email: vanfrontdesk@sarahschoolofmusic.com
Or
Text the SoM Cell: 778-653-3061
Or
Call the Front Desk: 778-870-3166
programs
OUR PARTNER
Canucks Autism Network (CAN) Recreational Program
CASE Children’s Autism Society of Edmonton
SoM partners with Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton (CASE) to offer a specialized weekly music class that empowers and supports children with autism to explore and play music together in a group setting. Children explore the foundations of rhythm and melody while enjoying hands-on opportunities to play different musical instruments.
Alternative School Program
In partnership with the Vancouver Alternative School District, this program offers foundational music education for arts credits toward graduation during the school day at SoM. Students at the eight affiliated Vancouver Alternative Schools can apply and attend through their school. Students create and play music that is relevant to them, using drums, percussion, piano, guitar and technology.
Some Assembly Theatre Company
SoM offers music mentorship, collaboration, and support to the young artists writing and producing songs for Some Assembly productions. Some Assembly Theatre Company is a charitable non-profit theatre company that brings together diverse and at-risk youth with professional artists to create original theatre productions that address ideas and issues that are important to young people.
SoM provides a drop-in opportunity for students from MAPLES with their support staff. The Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre is located on the traditional territories and ancestral lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation in Coquitlam, B.C., with specialized assessment and treatment programs offered for youth ages 12-18 who are living with significant mental health, emotional or behavioural challenges. Most youth who participate in these programs are referred through B.C. Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) teams under the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
MAPLES
Peak House
Peak House is a voluntary, ten-week, live-in, treatment program for youth seeking freedom from problematic substance use. With this vulnerable demographic, self-expression is the core objective of our music making partnership with Peak House. Through the exploration of songwriting, students and Teaching Artists collaborate to improve participant’s peace of mind and foster creative joy.
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
SoM Edmonton partners with Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, offering weekly music classes for Indigenous youth to come to SoM and explore group music-making together.
programs
OUR OUTREACH
Artist-in-Residence Program
SoM’s Outreach Program provides access to students with transportation barriers, by teaching in their schools in a four to six week Artist in Residence program. The Outreach Program also serves as a way to bring more awareness of our after school program to students across the lower mainland. Currently, we provide programming at six different schools across the GVA.
ISS for new Canadians - Young Music Makers (YMM) & ISS Youth
SoM Teaching Artists travel to the Immigrant Services Society of BC to teach singing, movement, rhythm and instruments to children 3 to 12 years, whose families are attending programs at ISS. ISS youth are invited to SoM for a Marimba class.
