By supporting the Minstrel Foundation, you are helping to fund a range of music programs for youth in our inner city. These programs introduce children and teens to the wonders and joy of music, help them develop their talent, let them experience a world outside their own environment through music festivals, camps and other performances, and open doors for them to new opportunities in education and life. Also, as music lessons are usually given one student at a time, close relationships develop between student and teacher, giving our students the personal mentorship many are missing in their young lives. The Minstrel Foundation is providing support to the following organizations. As our resources increase, in the future we will also be helping more students of these inner city music programs with scholarships to further their music/arts post secondary education at a Conservatory or University.

Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement

For the first time, the Minstrel Foundation has approved a grant to support a subsidized dance program at the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement. The Pia Bouman’s School mandate emphasizes “that any child with the wish, the drive and the dream to be a performer, a dancer or a creator of dance should have the possibility to travel that road as far as it will take them.”

Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus

The CCOC is one of Toronto’s musical traditions, in operation for over 35 years. There are currently 200 children aged 5-19 in its ruby, apprentice, principal and youth choruses. While some children go on to musical careers, the CCOC’s mission is “to foster a lifelong enjoyment of the arts in children by introducing them to the magic of live opera, both as performers and as members of our audiences.” Members of the CCOC present a yearly opera and perform in many concerts and musical events.

Regent Park School of Music

The Minstrel Foundation founded the Regent Park School of Music in May 1999. With the annual support of the Minstrel Foundation, which has now exceeded $300,000, the school has flourished. There are now 130 young people from 92 families taking a variety of private and group lessons throughout the week and on Saturdays from 22 music teachers. The School also organizes March break and summer camps, special workshops with visiting artists, recitals and an annual Showcase. The school began in the basement of St. Paul's Basilica on Queen Street. Today it has its own premises at 534 Queen Street East in the heart of Regent Park and now has its own governing body and fundraising and management resources.

Dixon Hall Music School

Dixon Hall Music School introduces young people from the downtown east community to the enjoyment of music at a very affordable cost, determined by each family's income. Over 180 students receive lessons in a wide variety of subjects. Also provided are the instruments, encouragement and varied musical experiences in order to develop each student's interest and potential to the fullest. Students receive weekly lessons and perform in monthly recitals and in concerts and competitions throughout the City. For several years, Dixon Hall Music School students have been among the prizewinners at the Kiwanis Music Festivals. Students also have access to over 500 tickets a year to professional concerts, a Listening Library, a four-week summer program in July, and an overnight camp in the countryside in August.

University Settlement House

University Settlement House, one of Toronto’s oldest community outreach centres is located behind the Art Gallery of Toronto and incorporates a full subsidized music program throughout the whole year for inner city youth. University Settlement is committed to paying a minimum of ½ the cost of lessons and, in the case of greater need more.