Our Mission & Vision
We hope to proactively address the social issue of poverty and social justice by creating more equitable opportunities for disadvantaged youth to participate in music lessons.
Our volunteers are post-secondary students or community members who provide one-on-one piano lessons to students in inner-city schools at no charge. The HCMP provides a way for members of the community to share their love of music with children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument. When children realize that they are capable of creating music, the whole world opens up to them. They realize that they can contribute to the beauty around them and more than capable of accomplishing whatever they set their minds to.
The program is not only intended to give our students musical skills; through exposure to positive role models, opportunities to attend live music performances, and the fostering of a sense of accomplishment, students will gain self-confidence, a greater sense of the overall cultural community, pride, and self-esteem.
Teachers
HERE TO GUIDE, INSPIRE AND SUPPORT
Wade Kelly
Principal
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Marie Carter
Composition Instructor
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David Kim
Voice Instructor
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Ella Larson
School Administrator
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The History of the HCMP
In 1995, the Heart of the City Piano Program (HCPP) began as a single dream to enhance the lives of at-risk youth through a structured music program. Richard Dube, the music teacher from Pleasant Hill Community School in Saskatoon, started the program with the strong belief that involvement in the HCPP will help students to make positive lifestyle choices and prevent them from becoming involved in drugs, alcohol and violence.
The program quickly began expanding across the country, and the HCPP now has branches in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, and Regina (1999); Edmonton (2002); Ottawa (2005); Montreal (2007); and Vancouver (2013).
In the spring of 2002, the HCPP expanded nationally to Edmonton AB, thanks to Chantal Chauvet, a former volunteer piano teacher at King George Community School in Saskatoon.
Currently, the HCMP is registered as a Student Group at the University of Alberta. It is run chiefly by U of A students with the invaluable support of the Edmonton Public School Board and the music teachers and principals of our various partner schools.
The HCPP was revamped in 2007, with the beginning of the collaboration with the City Center Education Project (CCEP). Headed by Chris Cheung, David Cinats, Joyce Fung, Anthony Lott, and Pauline Voon, expansions included volunteer events, fundraising commitments, and the first annual year-end recital at Muttart Hall, Alberta College Conservatory of Music. The contribution of everyone's hard work has allowed the HCMP to expand and evolve into the program it is today.
In 2009, two new exciting additions were made to the HCPP: the formation of the Music Resource Library and the Performance Troupe. Led by Cian Hackett, the Performance Troupe consists of talented piano players who share their talent by performing at events to raise funds for and awareness of the program. Also, a collaboration with the SHINE Youth Clinic began, with volunteers from the HCPP taking turns teaching piano to patients at the clinic every other Saturday.
Since September 2011, the HCMP expanded to include a Guitar program at Norwood Elementary School and John A. McDougall School, modelled after our successful piano program. As well, the partnership with the CCEP further developed into a collaboration with the Edmonton Public School Board. In January 2012, a partnership was formed with the Old Strathcona Youth Society after the SHINE Clinic closed.
To learn more about the HCPP in other cities, visit our National Website!