GRIMSBY - In Grimsby, the Fun School of Music really lives up to its name.
It's been less than a year since the shop officially opened up at 42 Main Street West. But the school already has over 300 students registered as taking lessons there. And one of the main draws is the fun.
It starts with the environment.
Walking into the cozy music school in downtown Grimsby, one can't help but notice the bold coloured, individually-themed rooms, set aside for one-on-one instrumental instruction.
There's "back alley," a small room painted black and adorned with everything from a chainlink fence to a Beware of Dog sign.
There's the green jungle room, walls covered in trees and vegetation, where a large drum set is available for student use.
And there's the yellow bathroom, where an electric keyboard looks out of place alongside the artificial sink and shower.
"Students like singing in the shower," Denise Blaney, co-owner of the Fun School explains.
In the back of the store, past the retail section and the six instructional rooms, lies the room that is the most fun.
There, in a slightly larger room, is the real fun school of music.
Bright colours are splashed on the walls. Foam mats cover the floors. Ukeleles, xylophones, and tambourines rest against the walls. A large drum is in one corner.
"Here, things are taught the way children are meant to learn," said Jennifer McKillop, also a co-owner of the Fun School. "Here, the kids retain more because of the way they are taught."
For the past 20 years, Blaney has been developing the Fun School curriculum, which she describes as progressively skill-based. At her school, children are allowed to make mistakes, and are set up to feel like successful musicians.
"It's a very step-by-step curriculum. Learning skills in a certain order is what stimulates the brain," she said.
Her curriculum demands less from a theoretical perspective, and works harder to kindle a simple love of music.
"The traditional music lesson books are not conducive to the way children learn. In reality, kids can only focus on two or three things at once," she said.
The Fun School caters to that theory, and instructors use a variety of puppets and techniques to keep the youngsters interested.
"The children never know they're learning, because they're having too much fun," Blaney explained. "And it's not a huge commitment on the parents part, because it requires no extra practice."
Around 150 local children, ages 10 and under, were introduced to music in the fun room from September to June last year.
They met one night per week in groups as large as eight to receive musical instruction in a non-pressure environment.
So far, Blaney says her homegrown program has been a success.
So much so, in fact, that on August 26 and 27, both Blaney and McKillop will head to the International Centre in Toronto for a convention held by the Music Industry Association of Canada.
There, they will market their Fun School curriculum to music retailers from across the country.
"It's the top show in Canada for retailers," Blaney said. "And we are the only ones in the country doing this program."
Currently, the school is celebrating summer by hosting a variery of camps including Beginner Rock Camp, Mixed up Music Weeks, and Summer Music Camp.
For more information on the Fun School, or to register for fall music lessons or summer camps, visit www.funschoolofmusic.com or call 905-309-3886.
