MTL-Logo
Home » Recent posts » 5 Best Music Schools in Montreal: A Comprehensive Student & Parent Guide
best-music-schools-montreal

5 Best Music Schools in Montreal: A Comprehensive Student & Parent Guide

We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

5 Best Music Schools in Montreal: A Comprehensive Student & Parent Guide

Finding the right place to develop your musical talents in Quebec can feel a bit overwhelming with so many choices available. 

Whether you want to introduce your toddler to basic rhythms or you’re an adult looking to pick up a guitar, finding the best music school in Montreal is all about matching your personal goals with the right instructors. 

The local scene is filled with institutions that cater to casual hobbyists and advanced students preparing for conservatory auditions. We spent time looking at the top academies across the city to help you choose the ideal spot for your creative journey.

How much do music lessons cost in Montreal?

Taking a look at the local rates can help you plan your budget before signing up for classes.

Session LengthAverage Cost Range (CAD)
30-Minute Private Session$25 – $50
60-Minute Private Session$50 – $90

How We Reviewed

Faculty Qualifications: We looked closely at the educational background and active performance experience of the instructors at each institution. 

It’s important that teachers hold advanced degrees or maintain a strong presence in the local music scene.
Curriculum Variety: Our team evaluated how well each academy accommodates different genres, skill levels, and structured examination paths. 

A great program offers everything from casual rock classes to formal Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) preparation.
Learning Environments: We checked if the schools offer flexible options like in-studio, in-home, or virtual sessions to fit busy schedules. Having various formats makes it much easier for families and professionals to stay consistent.
Community Reputation: We analyzed long-term student feedback and regional trust metrics to see how well these academies deliver on their promises. 

Consistent customer satisfaction and engaging student recitals were major indicators of a healthy environment.

1. Vidyasthanam

vidyasthanam

Website: vidyasthanam.com

Address: 6105 Rue de Louvois, Saint-Léonard

Contact: +91 90142 57637 (Customer Service in Tamil or English only from 9 AM-8 PM IST), +91 99621 94779 (WhatsApp only)

Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM – 9 PM

Diving deep into traditional South Asian classical music becomes much easier when you have access to a structured environment focused on ancient art forms. 

Vidyasthanam is a specialized program that provides a foundational understanding of Carnatic musical theory, covering essential concepts such as ragas, sruti, and melakartas. 

A close friend of mine who attended their sessions mentioned how helpful the detailed lesson plans were for keeping up with the intensive material. 

The expert faculty members, Ms. Bhargavi Hariharan and Dr. R. Saraswati Sainath, use video presentations to make complex classical frameworks highly accessible for modern students. 

However, you should know that the entire curriculum is structured as a temporary ten-class workshop, meaning it doesn’t offer ongoing, year-round training for long-term development. 

But it’s still an incredible option if you want a focused dive into a beautiful cultural tradition.

Pros

  • Interactive video presentations included
  • All course materials provided
  • Detailed lesson plans upon registration
  • Expert instruction from accomplished faculty

Cons

  • Limited ten-class workshop structure

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional teacher

My daughter is currently learning the veena with Madam Saraswathi Sainath, and it has been a wonderful experience. She is an exceptional teacher who not only builds a strong foundation in Carnatic music but also teaches vocal music. Her teaching approach is truly inspiring, patient, and motivating. We feel very fortunate to have her as a mentor.

Rajarajan Ramalingam | Google Review

Wonderful place to learn carnatic music

Vidyastham has been a wonderful place for my daughter to learn carnatic music and slokas.I would really appreciate the hardwork of Madam Saraswati in taking interest in teaching students and encouraging them in giving performances.

durga gollapudi | Google Review

2. Montreal Academy of Music

montreal-academy-of-music

Website:https://academiedemontreal.com/

Address: 6503 Av. De Chateaubriand, Montréal

Contact: 514.376.8742

Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Finding a flexible schedule that fits your family’s routine is simple when working with a platform that brings top-tier educators directly to you. 

Montreal Academy of Music offers personalized instruction taught by hand-selected, certified professional musicians across various settings. Students can choose in-home, in-studio, and online formats that accommodate all skill levels. 

They cover a massive selection of instruments, so you can easily sign up for comprehensive piano lessons or explore niche choices like the accordion and harp. 

They also provide excellent support if you’re aiming for formal RCM exams or university entrance auditions. 

On the downside, their cancellation policy is quite rigid, as the basic eight-lesson registration package offers absolutely no rescheduling options if you miss a class. 

Still, the inclusion of two trial sessions ensures you find a great match before making a serious financial commitment.

Pros

  • Real-time live virtual sessions
  • Two initial trial lessons
  • RCM and university preparation paths
  • Massive variety of instruments taught

Cons

  • No rescheduling for short packages

Customer Reviews:

Amazing teacher

I am taking classical singing lessons with Andrea, and she is an amazing teacher who makes each lesson engaging, challenging, and fun at the same time. I love how she teaches solid technique while also being able to accompany me on the piano for any song.

Françoise Nguyen | Google Review

Very accommodating teacher

My teen loves her lessons with Geraldine. She’s learning guitar, vocals and incorporating piano too! Her teacher is warm, well educated and very accommodating – so appreciated!! My daughter looks forward to seeing her every week and it’s been so helpful in reducing her anxiety and building confidence in her ability to learn new things.  I love that she holds house concerts for our family 💜  Thank you!

Sky Riverhawk | Google Review

3. Académie de musique Sam Gagnon

academie-de-musique-sam-gagnon

Website: samgagnonacademy.com/fr

Address: 815 Avenue Plymouth, Suite 542

Contact: 1 (800) 318-7168

Hours: 

Monday to Thursday: 4 PM –8 PM

Friday: 4 PM–6 PM

Saturday: 9:30 AM–12:30 PM

Learning an instrument alongside your peers can turn a standard educational routine into an exciting social hobby. 

Académie de musique Sam Gagnon focuses on an inclusive, community-driven approach. They use group learning environments and custom books tailored to the favourite modern and classical tracks of the students. 

While some local families spend their weekends travelling to various dance studios in Montreal, others find that the community concerts hosted here offer the perfect artistic outlet. 

They even use a clever level-up wristband system that keeps young learners incredibly motivated as they master new skills. 

However, if you prefer private sessions in the comfort of your own living room, you should note that their home lessons are strictly limited to the greater metropolitan area. 

Still, it remains a wonderful choice for budget-conscious families looking for accessible group classes that keep things lively.

Pros

  • Dedicated low-income scholarship fund
  • Engaging progress wristband system
  • Three student concerts per year
  • Highly affordable group instruction rates

Cons

  • Limited geographical reach for home visits

Customer Reviews: 

Good experience

Sam is a great and patient music tutor with his young students and adult students. The level of artistry and skill of the younger students is amazing and it really is all credit to the Academie de Musique team and the students love of music. Being an adult student, my confidence increased after performing at the Gala d’Execellence because of Sam’s encouragement.  It truly is a gift to have this academy on the Island of Montreal.

Efioanwan Otu | Google Review

Patient, caring teachers

We have been with the academy for almost two years. The teachers are patient, caring and very attentive to my child’s needs. They are able to help him curb his enthusiasm and focus on learning while having much fun.

Martine Guillaume | Google Review

4. Académie de musique Lauber

academie-de-musique-lauber

Website: coursdepianomontreal.com

Address: 4848A, Ave du Parc

Contact: (514) 272-0761

Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Developing a true appreciation for the keys requires an environment where the instruments themselves inspire greatness. 

Académie de musique Lauber delivers highly customized piano instruction by experienced professionals in a dedicated, specially equipped studio environment. 

I had the opportunity to speak directly with one of their instructors recently, and their passion for creating a fully personalized curriculum adjusted to individual musical tastes was incredibly obvious. 

I also noticed that the main teaching space features a gorgeous Baldwin grand piano, giving students a premium acoustic experience during every session. 

On the downside, the founder has very limited personal teaching availability nowadays, meaning you’ll likely be referred to other members of the instructional team rather than working with him directly. 

Fortunately, the entire faculty is highly qualified and capable of teaching lessons in multiple languages, including English, French, and Mandarin.

Pros

  • Multilingual instruction in six languages
  • Fully personalized student curricula
  • Professional Baldwin grand piano onsite
  • Pressure-free initial trial lesson

Cons

  • Limited availability from the founder

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful teacher

I spent my summer in Montreal for an internship and decided to seek out Tristan to bring back my slightly neglected hobby of playing piano from childhood and it was an incredible experience! Tristan taught me so much that now allows me to teach myself on my own and brought my skills to a level I couldn’t even imagine. He’s a wonderful teacher and just as amazing company, his passion for piano is contagious, you won’t regret learning from him!

Janet Zhang | Google Review

Most incredible piano teacher

Tristan has been the most incredible piano teacher for my son.  After only one year of piano lessons, he earned first place at his first piano competition.  He is encouraging and firm. I have seen my son’s confidence and self discipline soar under the tutelage of Tristan.

Stephanie Keating | Google Review

5. Harmony Academy of Music & Art

harmony-academy-of-music-art

Website: mtlharmony.com

Address: 3675 Sources Blvd, #208, Dollard-des-Ormeaux

Contact: 4383457267

Hours: Monday to Friday: 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Achieving your personal artistic milestones becomes a seamless process when you’re guided by educators who hold advanced university degrees. 

Harmony Academy of Music & Art is carefully designed to help individuals improve their playing capabilities, find enjoyment, and reach personal performance objectives. 

They offer a diverse curriculum that covers everything from classical styles to modern electronic music, ensuring that all genres are well represented. 

Students can even branch out into supplementary creative fields like small-group painting courses. 

However, you should keep in mind that parents or tutors must remain completely silent in the room during lessons for any student under the age of 14. This might feel a bit restrictive for some families. 

Despite this minor rule, the sheer depth of their ear training and composition classes makes it an outstanding hub for holistic artistic growth.

Pros

  • Instructors hold advanced university degrees
  • Broad spectrum of musical genres
  • Comprehensive theory and composition paths
  • Unique supplementary painting classes

Cons

  • Strict parental presence rule under fourteen

Customer Reviews:

Highly recommend

It’s been about a year since my son started taking piano lessons at this academy. He had studied piano at another place for three years before, but the progress he’s made here in just a few months has been far greater than in the previous three years. We’ve had an excellent experience with Mr. Teymourian and Mr. Aydin, and we highly recommend them!

Mahban Hosseini | Google Review

Engaging and fun lessons

We are so grateful to have found this music school and the wonderful music classes our kids have attended. The lessons are engaging and fun, and Mr. Arash has a fantastic way of making learning music enjoyable. My kids have grown so much in their musical skills and confidence. I highly recommend this school to any child interested in music!

Pouria Ansary | Google Review

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Montreal expert reviews directly to your inbox (and absolutely no spam!)