FAQ

1.  My child turns five in September.  Is this program still appropriate for him?

Due to the physical and focusing demands of instrumental instruction this program is most suitable for school-aged children.  While many preschool arts camps place a high focus on active games, sing-alongs and lengthy craft sessions our program is jam-packed with intensive music experiences.  We ask that all participants have reached their fifth birthday by June 1st 2009.

2.  How large are your program and your learning groups?  

Maximum enrollment for our camp is forty children.  Each instrumental and theory learning group will have between 8 and 13 students.  Our staff to student ratio is 1 to 7 for the first camp(ages 5 to 7) and 1 to 10 for the second camp (ages 8 to 14).  

3.  How well trained are your instructors?

The two principal instructors have one or more university degrees with extensive musical and educational training and several decades of experience.  ALL musical training is carried out by principal instructors.  Our support staff are mature, responsible adults who work under our close supervision to create a learning environment which is safe and professional.

4.  Are there classes on the weekend?

No, classes run from Monday to Friday.

5.  My child is booked for another camp during the second week of one of your programs.  Is it possible to attend for one week only?

Our camps work toward a final arts presentation at the end of week two.  In our experience, a full two weeks of instruction is required in order to achieve maximum learning success.  We reserve two enrollment spots in each program for students who are not returning for the second week of instruction.   All students inquiring about single week enrollment beyond this point will be placed on a waiting list and contacted two weeks before the program if we are unable to fill these spots with full time students.  Joining the program for the second week of training is not possible due to the compounding nature of the instruction.

6.  Is there a final performance for parents and friends and, if so, what is the cost?

There will a final performance at the end of the second week of each camp.  The show will be approximately 30 minutes in length and will be presented at the camp facility.  There is no cost to this presentation, nor is there a limit to the number of adoring fans which you can bring!

7.  My child has difficulty with theory.  If she registers for her exam and takes your program do you guarantee that she will be ready for her exam in mid-August?

While we cannot make any guarantees about the individual progress of each child we can and will do everything we can to increase her level of preparedness.  These include:

* Additional help as needed at break times and between 4:00 and 5:30 each day.

* Course prep classes and review sessions available both before and after each camp for those who feel they require additional instructor time.  These are available throughout the daytime or evening during the week of July 2nd to 6th and during the first two weeks of August at the student's convenience.  Either individual or small-group training may be booked.  Sample exam correcting and revision is also available for students wishing to stay on top of the material during the two weeks between the end of the camp session and the exam date in mid-August.

Please contact Heather Thomson (905 901 0555) for more information about these services.

Contact Us

We are happy to answer your questions via phone or email:

Heather Thomson

(905) 901 - 0555

noisycricket@cogeco.ca

Klaudia Mirossayova

(289) 242 - 1517

klaudiasmusicstudio@gmail.com

Registration

A copy of the registration form may be obtained by contacting Klaudia Mirossayova. Please send an email to: klaudiasmusicstudio@gmail.com. A copy of the registration form will be sent to you via email. Please print this form, complete it and snail mail it back to us with a cheque payment for 50% of the total cost of the camp program. Please make cheques payable to Klaudia's Music Studio.

Places on the enrollment list will be reserved for seven days following email contact and pending the arrival of your deposit cheque. If more time is required please contact us by phone or email to ensure that your spot is held. Spaces are extremely limited and registration is on a first come/ first serve basis.

Ring, Sing and Strings!

The Ring, Sing and Strings camp program provides benefits which are as diverse as the backgrounds of the students who participate.  For the novice musician this program provides an opportunity to sample three different musical genres (strings, choral and handbells) to discover where their strongest interest lies.  More experienced students will build upon the one-on-one training and solo performing which they have been involved with throughout the school year with valuable ensemble work and activities which strengthen rhythm skills and musicality. Peer interaction allows for a free exchange of ideas and the opportunity for student mentoring while the inclusion of art, dance and drama training provide balanced arts instruction.  

While all students will receive intensive theory training (music math), conservatory level students may opt to use this instruction as preparation for the August Royal Conservatory of Music exam session.  Our theory training program compacts an entire term's worth of learning into two intensive weeks of instruction at a cost which is far less than either private or small group sessions offered throughout the year.  Without the distraction and stress of school academics students are able to focus more keenly on this important aspect of musical training.  Both the Basic and Intermediate RCM theory levels available.

What is a typical day like at OSME day camp?  Students begin with vocal warm-ups and choral training followed by a rotating cycle of small-group string and theory sessions.  All groups combine for dance and drama training followed by lunch and outdoor games.  Full day students will take part in a second string session and handbell ensemble in the afternoon.  A quick snack and unstructured break time leads into art and set design as students prepare the stage for our multi-genre final performance at the end of the second week.  Additional theory training is available for students requiring extra help or those in the exam program.  Following the 4:00 pick-up students requiring extended care may use this time for self-directed practice, theory homework or quiet time.

"My children learned so much beyond the basics with your music programs.  The innovative practice techniques and motivational ideas were like gold!"  Parent

Program Details:

Ages 8 - 14

July 20th - 31st, 2009 (excluding July 25th and 26th)

Half Day, 9:00 - 1:00 pm $600

Full Day, 9:00 - 4:00 pm $800

Program fee includes tuition, instrument rental (if required) for violin or cello and all music and art supplies. Early drop-off (8:00 - 9:00 am) and late pick-up (4:00 - 5:30 pm) are available on an as-needed basis for a flat fee of $10 per day. Please arrange for the dates on which you will require this service and pay in advance when settling the balance of your tuition. Any unused portion of the extended care payments which are not used will be refunded at the conclusion of the program.

For students wishing to take their Royal Conservatory Theory Exam in August please note that this camp program does NOT include registration or payment for this examination. Please consult the RCM website for payment and calendar details regarding the summer exam schedule.

Flute'n Fiddle

Program Details:

Ages 5 - 7 (Must be five years of age by June 1st, 2009)

July 6th - 17th, 2009 (excluding July 11th and 12ve)

Half Day, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, $600

Full Day, 9:00 - 3:00 pm $750

Program fee includes tuition, instrument rental (if required) for recorder and violin, all music and art supplies.

Early drop-off (8:00 - 9:00 am) and late pick-up are available (4:00 - 5:30pm) on an as-needed basis for a flat fee of $10 per day. Please arrange for the dates on which you will require this service and pay in advance at the point of registration. Any unused portion of the extended care payments which are not used will be refunded at the conclusion of the program.

A dynamic day camp experience for younger students, the Flute'n Fiddle will have your little musician blowing and bowing in no time! Students will receive daily, small-group instruction on both the violin and the recorder (2 sessions on each instrument for full day campers) and a chance to explore a wide variety of Orff and percussion instruments. Hands-on theory games allow students to practice their "music math" skills in a way that's fun, interactive and developmentally appropriate. Choral training, music and movement, arts and crafts, set design and dance and puppetry round out each busy day. Lunch and break time allow students plenty of active time in the fresh air and a chance to bond with their new music friends.

With this year's "Music From the Orient" theme students will have the opportunity to explore the Asian bells and temple blocks, to choreograph a presentation of flying kites and to join their friends inside the dragon costume for the spectacular Chinese New Year dragon dance.
Music, dancing and shadow puppets will be used to tell the ancient legend of Tikki Tikki Tembo as part of a free public performance at the completion of the two-week program.


"My children have been dancing and singing and putting on impromptu shows for us all week long. They can't wait to get to camp every morning!" Parent


"My neighbour called to tell me she was sending her daughter to your program for the first time next week. I told her she should plan to be impressed. You run such quality programs and the your attention to detail really shows." Parent

Who We Are

OSME 2009 combines the talents of Heather Thomson and Klaudia Mirossayova, both of whom have established music studios in the Oakville area. Klaudia's Music Studio was founded in 2001 and offers private instruction for stringed instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar) and piano/keyboard as well as string orchestra training. Raised in eastern Europe where the classical arts play a more prominent role in local culture, Ms. Mirossayova has experienced first hand the power of musical training in shaping the artistic, physical, emotional and academic development of the child. Recognizing the importance of a musical ensemble experience Klaudia is excited to offer both small-group and orchestral training as part of the camp program.

Heather Thomson has been directing summer arts programs for 24 years. New to the Oakville area in the summer of 2008, she established The Noisy Cricket Music Studio last fall. Her studio offers private piano and voice instruction as well as early childhood music and movement classes in the South Oakville area. "Musical training shouldn't stop when school gets out," she reports. "Summer is the ideal time to stretch and grow artistically with camp opportunities which build upon the basic skills learned throughout the academic season. Music and movement classes help musicians explore rhythm with their whole bodies, handbells, recorder and string groups strengthen ensemble skills and dramatic and artistic workshops offer fresh venues for creative exploration. Students can also bulk up on their theory knowledge, a very necessary skill set which is often all but ignored throughout the year due to the time constraints of the private lesson. It's a fabulous opportunity for students to have fun doing what they love!"

Klaudia Mirossayova graduated from the University of Presov, Slovakia in 2001. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Sciences and Musical Education with violin as the main instrument. The daughter of a violin teacher, Klaudia has been playing violin since the age of five. Her performing and conducting experience included participation in the slovak Folk Ensemble (Sarisan), a national music and dance company, which traveled world-wide.

Since moving to Canada she has performed with a variety of local string ensembles including the Oakville Symphony orchestra and the Hollier String Quartet. A caring and compassionate teacher, she is beloved by all the students in her string studio.

Heather Thomson holds a Bachelor of Music Degree cum laude from Mount Allison University. A professional piano teacher and accompanist, Ms. Thomson has owned and operated private music studios in seven city centres across Canada over the past twenty-six years. A skilled speaker and teacher, Ms. Thomson has developed a reputation in her field for innovative teaching methods. She has authored a wide variety of teaching curriculum and has served as a clinician at teacher conferences and student workshops throughout the Atlantic region. She is a member of ORMTA, the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association and a trained Kindermusik teacher. Her passion for children has led her to involvement in youth choirs, musical theatre, arts camps, dance accompaniment, early childhood music and movement and handbell ensembles. Her skilful teaching style and motivating techniques have led over a thousand children to personal success with their instrument.

Welcome to OSME!

Thank-you for your interest in OSME.  Unfortunately, we did not receive enough interest to run the program this summer.  Please check back in the spring of 2010!

Heather Thomson

Klaudia Mirossayova

Welcome to the OSME website, South Oakville's destination for music fun and learning this summer of 2009! We are excited to offer four weeks of musical instruction in a day-camp format. Children ages five through fourteen will have the opportunity to play, learn, compose and perform music in an environment that stimulates their creativity and nurtures their inner artist.

Master teachers Klaudia Mirossayova (violin and cello) and Heather Thomson (piano, handbells and recorder) have combined forces to offer programming appropriate for both beginner and advanced conservatory music students. With a choice of daily ensembles (strings, woodwinds, handbells and choir), music and movement classes, art and set design, drama, puppetry, ear training and theory instruction students will experience a total arts immersion. Whether they are studiously preparing for their August RCM theory examination or picking up the fiddle for the very first time, the OSM Experience is the perfect blend of fun, friends and focus. Scroll through the postings on this blog to read specific details about each of our unique, age-appropriate camp programs. Registration and contact details are posted above. Should you have further questions we would be happy to answer them by phone or email.

Here's to a fabulous summer of musical learning!

Heather Thomson

Klaudia Mirossayova