Adult Programs

The Laurier Academy of Music and Arts offers intergenerational programs in group settings for adults 18+ designed to foster community engagement and support skill building. Specific goals for our adult programming include promoting social interaction, emotional wellbeing and enhancing quality of life.

Group Guitar for Complete Beginners

Join Nikki Ferreira for a group guitar class for complete beginners! Group classes are a great way to start learning an instrument in a stress-free and supportive environment. This class is designed for adults (18+) who would like to kick-start their learning. Some topics that will be covered: chords, strum patterns, basic techniques/parts of the guitar, finger-picking patterns, and a few songs that you'll have under your belt for summer campfires!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Mondays; starting Sept. 8, 2025 (12 weeks)
• Time: 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• Cost: $250

Register

Adult Improv Ensemble

Led by Dave O'Neill. Ages 15+!

Music is an innate part of the human experience and making music with others is a timeless endeavour. The role you play as a musician and the contribution you make to the music as an individual is an integral part of the music as a whole; the sum is always greater than the parts!

This ensemble will introduce participants who are eager to collaborate and express themselves creatively to the art of improvisation - “making it up as you go”. This element is completely in the moment and immediate, perhaps never to happen in the same way again. Yet oddly improvisation is a practiced art form; there is a method to the madness!

We’ll use basic song frameworks such as the Blues to explore improvisation techniques. Songs are presented using what are known as ‘lead sheets’, which contain in a condensed form, everything you need to know about a particular song: the melody, the harmony/chords, and the song form. The lead sheet is the platform for practicing improvisation and we explore key concepts that facilitate how to approach ‘making it up as you go’. The knowledge gained is applicable to any style of music, and we veer into popular song territory as our muse takes us via participant input (aka “pick a song!”)

All instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome! A basic working knowledge of rudimental theory and your instrument is strongly advised.

There is a limit of 2 pianists and 2 drummers (drum set and percussion)

A PA, piano(s), vibraphone, drum set and hand percussion will be provided. All other instruments will need to be supplied by the student, including amplifiers

Session One:

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Sept 8 to Dec 15 2025 (14 weeks)
  • No session Oct. 13 
• Time: Mondays 7 - 8:30 p.m.
• Cost: $400

Register

Session Two:

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Jan 5 to Apr 13 2026 (14 weeks)
  • No session Feb. 16
• Time: Mondays 7 - 8:30 p.m.
• Cost: $400

Session Three:

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: April 20 to June 22 2026 (9 weeks)
  • No session May 18 
• Time: Mondays 7 - 8:30 p.m.
• Cost: $280

Group Piano for Complete Beginners

Join us for a group piano class for complete beginners! Group classes are a great way to start learning an instrument in a stress-free and supportive environment. This class is designed for adults (18+) who would like to kick-start their learning. Led by Nick Barkley.

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Tuesdays; starting Sept. 9, 2025 (12 weeks)
• Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $250

Register

Pop/Rock Piano: The Ear-First Method

From classical chops to contemporary freedom.

Are you a pianist with a basic grasp of chords and scales, but find yourself wanting to break free from sheet music? Unlock the world of contemporary music with LAMA Learning Pop/Rock/Contemporary!

Led by Nick Barkley, this course is designed to bridge the gap between formal/classical training and the vibrant world of pop and rock. Come and enjoy learning in a fun, collaborative environment.

We'll show you how to move past the notes on the page and really understand the music you're playing. We'll guide you through the fundamental song structures and chords that form the backbone of popular music from the 60s to now. This course is all about learning WHY you’re playing what you’re playing.

By learning to find the key center of any song, you'll be able to quickly identify the chords you hear and play them on the spot. You'll train your ear to identify melodies and chords just by listening, making it possible to create your own professional-looking chord charts. This course will give you the tools to make music more intuitive and fun!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Wednesdays; starting Sept. 9, 2025 (12 weeks)
• Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $275

Register

Fiddle Jams

Led by Shane Guse, join us for a monthly fiddle jam! This is a drop-in event. This is a fun and supportive group setting where you play when you can, listen when you can't, and make sure to take note of new tunes you hear and want to explore. This is open to players of all ages and levels. If you have never played fiddle before, this is a great opportunity to try it out. The goal is to have fun, build confidence and repertoire, and hopefully introduce fiddling to those who have never had the opportunity to try it. 

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 23, Jan. 25, Feb. 22, March 29, April 26
• Time: 7 - 8 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Ages: All (should have minimum basic proficiency on your instrument) 

A Community Consort

Daniel Cabena and LAMA cordially invite you to participate in our Community Consort. We’re a small group of players & singers who explore early music & historically inspired music-making. Thus far, our Community Consort has included violas da gamba, baroque violins, recorders, voices, lute, sackbuts, harpsichord, organ, and a shawm! So, whatever you may play or sing, do come along!

• Location: 190 Lester Street, Waterloo
• Dates: Ongoing
• Time: Mondays 5 - 6:30 p.m.
• Cost: $180 (sliding scale fee structure available; contact LAMA@wlu.ca) 
• Ages: 16+

Contact the school directly to register.