Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts

“People often point to YouTube and say, ‘Well, it’s all available online.’ But available is not the same as around. When you come here, you are surrounded by inspiration. The things that inspire me are the same things that inspire the students: walking past a room and hearing eighteen different instruments being played by people who are six years old or fully grown. It’s the magic of all those different modalities — the music, the dance, the history — all happening in one big building with big windows. It’s a place where art truly has the chance to rub off on you.”

— Maximilian Fleischman, Piano Department

That environment — the chance encounter, the unexpected discovery — is what no screen can replicate. For Max, it also shapes the way he sees every student who walks through his door: “I teach every student as if they’re going to end up at Carnegie Hall,” he says. “Promoting a place that is really serious will result in more and better music in this city, and in stronger, more capable minds.”

Every person who walks through these doors is looking for something — a voice not yet found, a rhythm not yet heard, a story not yet told. Your gift helps make that possible. Thanks to a generous donor, all donations made between now at June 13th will be matched, up to $10,000.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/9819

From the Archives:

With the 2026 School of Dance recitals just around the corner, we're taking a peek into the past with the programme from the very first School of Dance Recital in 1948!

Classes ARE on this weekend!

It's also Bluenose Marathon weekend, which means additional traffic, street closures and parking bans! Please leave yourself ample time to get to us. Check here to see if any of the closures impact you: https://bluenosemarathon.com/events/parking-bans-street-closures/

🌈 Dancing with Pride - Workshop Series

For those with little to no dance experience! Join us for an introductory ballroom dancing series in a safe space that celebrates all bodies, abilities and identities. This class will include basic steps and partnering to a mix of music across genres and styles. No partner required! You may lead or follow in this class - whichever role makes you feel the most comfortable. Dress in a way that allows you to move freely.

Each week of this workshop series will focus on a new dance/style (Hustle, Swing, Foxtrot, Salsa) - you may drop-in as best suits your schedule, or join us for all 4 weeks!

Instructor: Cole Richardson
Cost: No advanced registration is required. Please make a donation to a LGBTQIA+ charity/organization of your choice (recommended $15 per class) or bring a cash donation to be made at the door - all proceeds collected will go to The Youth Project

Location: Lilian Piercey Concert Hall, The Conservatory, 6199 Chebucto Road

📋 If you have any questions, please contact us using this form: https://forms.gle/XwUWWTLChVhUbMTo9

Thanks to the generous support of , The Centre for Music Therapy will be launching two more Seniors in Song programs in the community - one in collaboration with Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre, and the other with the Beechville Walkets!

Mark your calendars for May 19! Our one-of-a-kind childhood music programs will open for registration.

Merry-Go-Round
- ages 5-6, class limit: 12
- Saturdays 12pm (start Sept 12, 2026)

Introduce children to the world of musical sound, instruments, and movement in an innovative and interactive way. Create simple instruments to see how they work, and make music to answer some big questions! How are musical sounds produced? What makes them louder or softer? How can we tell a violin from a piano? Movement activities throughout the program based on European Dalcroze Eurhythmics will encourage students to listen deeply and respond to music in an instinctive way, while developing an understanding of musical elements and working with classmates. Make music (and instruments) together!

Classes begin September 12, 2026 and run into June.

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Carousel Program
- ages 6-9, class limit: 8
- Saturdays 1pm & 2pm (36 classes)

One-of-a-kind, European-influenced comprehensive music program - 36 weekly classes introduce children to singing, piano, guitar, percussion, violin, cello, and more! 3-4 week modules allow students to explore different instruments with a connecting element of movement, music theory, and rudiments throughout. Earn a certificate of completion and end the year with a creative music making session!

Classes begin September 12, 2026 and run into June.

ttps://maritimeconservatory.com/school-of-music-lessons-classes-private/childrens-music-classes-lessons/

When Asrath and his family arrived in Canada exploring more inclusive facilities for Rayan, they came prepared for the work of caregiving. Back home, Rayan — who lives with multiple disabilities — had been attending two or three therapies every day. Finding that level of support and excitement of new surroundings in a new country felt uncertain. Finding it through music felt unimaginable. Then someone in an online parent community mentioned the Maritime Conservatory’s bursary program for music therapy. They decided to try.

"For children with disabilities — especially children with multiple disabilities, including intellectual disability and other sensory issues — music therapy is going to be helpful in different ways. It is not just a recreation. It has a lot of benefits to do with your sensory life as well as behavior management. And for the parents also, it contributes towards building our own determination and confidence while we’re supporting our dear ones.”

Over nearly three years of sessions — first at the Conservatory, then with therapists coming directly to their home — Asrath has watched Rayan discover things he never expected. Fine motor skills, developed by reaching toward an instrument a therapist held out. A way to calm himself when communication felt impossible, by finding music and letting it settle him.

The family recently moved to Windsor, Nova Scotia, and the therapist still comes to them. The bursary that made it possible to begin has long since ended. They kept going anyway — because what started as a beginning became something they couldn’t imagine stopping

Your gift to the Maritime Conservatory helps ensure the next family who finds their way here — uncertain, hopeful, not yet knowing what’s possible — has a place to begin. Thanks to a generous donor, all donations made between now at June 13th will be matched, up to $10,000. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/9819

Little Hands, Big Discoveries!

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Saturday to discover the Arts at the Conservatory. Special thank you to our volunteers Jacob Lee, Iniya Barani and Lucie Taussig for contributing their time and helping us make every new participant feel welcome!

Masterclass with Rachel Delano
May 31, 2026
2-4pm
Room 5 of the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts
6199 Chebucto Rd, Halifax

This masterclass centres around belting in a safe way in both pop and musical theatre. Participants are pre-selected students of the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts Voice Department.

Rachael Delano is a Halifax-based vocalist and voice coach whose career spans performance and pedagogy. As a singer, she has travelled from Vancouver to New York City, sharing stages with acclaimed artists. Drawing on this experience, she coaches emerging and professional musicians in developing sustainable vocal technique, control, and confidence, with a focus on vocal health and expressive performance in Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) styles.

All are welcome to audit

Free entry, donations accepted ($10 suggested)