ABOUT DOANE MUSIC SCHOOL

Doane Music School is a charitable organization committed to offering the highest quality of music education to children regardless of their financial circumstances. Founded by recording artist Melanie Doane 15 years ago, Doane Music School is now serving over 1000 students in their schools and communities on a weekly basis.

Doane Music School’s in-depth approach to providing excellent weekly instruction follows students from grades 4 -12 and is the cornerstone of the program. Teachers are trained in cutting edge pedagogy which incorporates aural tradition, improvisation, instrumental and vocal skills, plus a strong emphasis on performance. Local concerts as well as incredible opportunities on the world stage have enabled our students to perform with Jann Arden, Molly Johnson, Grace VanderWaal, the Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan, Emilie-Claire Barlow and James Hill.

“Unfortunately, we are all too aware of the toll that the past few years have taken on young people and their mental health. Now more than ever, children need music in their lives” says Founder Melanie Doane. “Music Education is so important for our kids and our goal is to make it accessible to all children regardless of socioeconomic status.”

Music has the power to change lives! The art of making music builds community and a sense of belonging and self-worth. Music allows young people to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas which belong front and center in their education.

Leadership

 
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Melanie Doane
Founder & Executive Director

A Juno Award, multiple top 40 singles, gold albums, a Broadway run and thousands of shows in Canada and the U.S. are some of the highlights of Melanie Doane’s long career.

15 years ago, Melanie added another dimension to her work. She created a school music program which would carry on the work started 40 years ago by her father; celebrated music educator and Order of Canada recipient, J. Chalmers Doane.

Doane Music School is now a registered charity serving over 1000 students each week.

 
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J. Chalmers Doane,
Doane Method Founder & Advisor

While in his role as supervisor of music for the Halifax City Schools, Chalmers created a ground-breaking city wide music program with one of his innovations being the use of the ukulele in the classroom. He created a comprehensive music program designed to produce students who were musically literate by the end of grade six and would ultimately involve tens of thousands of students across the country. He is a recipient of the Order Of Canada for his contributions to Music Education in our country and still teaches and performs in his home province of Nova Scotia.

 
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James Hill
Doane Hill Method Founder & Advisor

James Hill, a third generation Canadian uke player,  is an educator, songwriter and “a serious virtuoso upon the ukulele… truly amazing” (Canadian Folk Music Magazine).  He grew up in Langley, B.C. learning ukulele from classroom teachers Jamie Thomas and Peter Luongo, both former students of J. Chalmers Doane.  In 2003, Hill and Doane began meetings in Nova Scotia to discuss pedagogy and to start work on what would eventually become the acclaimed Ukulele in the Classroom method book series.  James serves on the advisory of Doane Music School while also running the JHUI Teacher Certification Program, the only initiative of it’s kind in the world. When he’s not traveling the globe performing or training teachers, he is recording critically acclaimed albums and being a YouTube sensation.  The Old Silo, his latest album, was produced by Joel Plaskett.

 

 

Advisory

Dr. Bina John - Music Professor, University of Toronto
Gill Deacon - CBC Radio, Host of Here and Now
Nina Pan - Elementary School Principal, TDSB
Elizabeth Seo - Elementary classroom music specialist
Jelani Watson - Musician, JAZZ.FM91 education and outreach officer 
Caroline Brown - DMS Artist in Residence, Temagami First Nation graphic designer/ Emmy Award winner
Jim Creeggan - Musician, Barenaked Ladies
Suzanne Doane - Classroom Music Specialist
Angie Valentine - RCM Senior Director, Corporate Marketing 
Susan DeCartier - Starfish Entertainment
Jack Ross - Paquin Entertainment
Mitchell Hunter - Online and Social Media 
Paul Joliat - SunLife 
Liz West
- television host, reporter, moderator

Board of Directors

Jane Chapman-Klein: Chairperson
Laura Bullard
Jacquie Baby