OverviewOur Programs
OrKidstra’s free after-school programs appeal to children of all ages, offering a progressive musical study that is inspiring, engaging, and fun! Led by professional Teaching Artists, OrKidstra works to create a harmonious community with a focus on singing and playing together.
OrKidstra’s after-school programs provide a safe, beneficial, and creative environment for students to thrive. Research continues to show that music education helps improve academic and social skills, promotes discipline, increases teamwork and problem-solving skills, and boosts self-esteem!
OrKidstra currently offers after-school programming to kids living in and neighbouring the Ottawa communities of Centretown, Vanier, and Heron Gate.
KiddlyWinks
KiddlyWinks is an energetic music and movement program that’s great fun for children ages 5 to 8 years old.
KidSingers
KidSingers is an upbeat choir program that celebrates the beauty and joy of singing together for students 8 years and older.
KidStarters
Get ready to play an instrument! KidStarters sets students up for instrumental success. (8 years +)
KidPlayers
KidPlayers explores the joy of playing wind and brass instruments in a group, proper technique and the basics of music theory. (8 years +)
KidStringers
KidStringers explores the joy of playing string instruments in a group, proper technique and the basics of music theory. (8 years +)
OrKidstra
Orchestras, chamber ensembles, masterclasses, improv & composition, and a youth group. (8 years +)
Locations
CalendarTimes and Locations
We’re proud to say that OrKidstra has over 3,000 hours of programming per year! Led by dedicated professional Teaching Artists, find out when and where OrKidstra classes are happening.
At OrKidstra, we celebrate each and every student for their achievements! Created in 2020-21, our OrKidSTAR awards honour the students and mentors who have reached for the stars and gone above and beyond with their kindness, commitment, respect, musicianship, helpfulness, and love. Please join us in congratulating these shining stars in our community!
2024-25 OrKidSTAR recipients
Centretown Hub:
Aamira Jimenez Torres (KidSingers)
Anlan Qin (Jr Band)
Arsha Mehzabin Prokrity (Jr Violin)
Bap Nguyen (KidStarters)
Beatrice Fritsch KidSingers
George Wang (OrKidstra Citizenship Award)
Dunsin Makinde (KiddlyWinks)
Edison Boyle (Senior KidSingers)
Eleanor Fritsch (Jr Violin)
Emily Wong (Int Strings)
Holden Lyle (Sr KidSingers)
Isla Elieff (Sr Wind)
Jad Issa (KiddlyWinks)
Kai Frankowski (Int Strings)
Kelly Lin (Chamber)
Koby VicElmi (Int Band)
Luca van der Leeden (KidSingers)
Maria Vargas (Sr Strings)
Mariam Krayem (OrKidstra Musicianship Award)
Praise Kaboi (Sr Strings)
Rosemary Stoesser (KidSingers)
Shania Braunovan (Chamber)
Val Ijaola (Chamber)
Jury Tosh (OrKidstra Volunteerism Award)
Ximena Tarazona (OrKidstra Volunteerism Award)
Vanier Hub:
Caszie Lada (Beg Cello)
Mana LemusHeimberger (Beg Cello)
Abby Tejero (Beg Violin)
Cattaleya Guerra (Beg Violin)
Colin Shen (OrKidstra Citizenship Award)
Edwin Tchonang (Int Band)
Ellis de Bruijn (Int Strings)
Frank Exode Tchonang (Int Strings)
Charlotte de Bruijn (Jr Band)
LenaEls Tchonang (Jr Violin)
Sophie Asselin (KidSingers)
Tuntise Adeseko (KidSingers)
Baptiste Simon (KidSingers)
Janelle Avery Soylon (KidSingers)
Aqida Abdulhakim (KiddlyWinks)
Halden Garasi (KiddlyWinks)
Mary Oladipo (KiddlyWinks)
Nathan Falana (KiddlyWinks)
Jayden SmithDesir (OrKidstra Musicianship Award)
Julia Beatty (Sr Band)
Vu Nguyen (Sr KidSingers)
Joy Westwood (Sr KidSingers)
Jayda SmithDesir (Sr KidSingers)
Joanna Zhou (Sr KidSingers)
Ireyimika Bankole (OrKidstra Volunteerism Award)
Heron Gate Hub:
Dhyana Dalwadi (KidSingers/KidStarters)
Issa Ait Ouzineb (KidSingers/KidStarters)
Isla Mulvihill (KidSingers/KidStarters)
Lili Hormozi (KidSingers/KidStarters)
Dinuki Wijesundara (KiddlyWinks)
Rhian Garcellanosa (KiddlyWinks)
Dr. Dasha Shenkman (OrKidstra Changemaker Award)
Greg Allison (OrKidstra Volunteerism Award)
Darya Heynan (OrKidstra Volunteerism Award)
Cecilia Scoles (OrKidstra Volunteerism Award)
Pirahashini Thayanithy (OrKidstra Volunteerism Award)
Praise Kaboi (Sr Strings)
Jayda SmithDesir (OrKidstra Musicianship Award)
Caszie Lada (Beg Cello)
Heron Gate Hub Students – Photo by Greg Allison
TeachersHelp change a child’s future
OrKidstra’s Teaching Artists are extraordinarily talented musicians and music educators who are passionate about OrKidstra’s social mission of success through music.
Our Teaching Artists care deeply about the well-being of their students and guide them towards making positive life choices by encouraging commitment to musical and personal excellence. OrKidstra Teaching Artists are deeply engaged in the community as well as their musical craft.
Our Teachers
OrKidstra’s Teaching Artists are highly skilled musicians and music educators with their own unique experiences and expertise.
Become a Teaching Artist
Are you interested in exploring how your skills as a teacher and as a musician intersect?
Experiential Teaching Artist Program (ETAP)
In partnership with the University of Ottawa, OrKidstra offers a 3-credit course to undergraduate and masters level students.
MentorsA safe and welcoming place to learn and grow
We encourage and foster mentorship with all our students, along with peer-to-peer teaching, which breaks down barriers and fosters friendship. As the late Maestro José Antonio Abreu said, “A child who knows five notes can help a child who knows only three!”
We also proudly extend this philosophy to our partnerships with local universities and high schools. Since our beginning in 2007, mentors have made a profound and positive impact on OrKidstra’s students – and it’s a two-way street, as there’s no better way to learn about your playing than by teaching it!
Overview
OrKidstra encourages mentorship with all our students, along with peer-to-peer teaching, which breaks down barriers.
Become a Mentor
Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life? Do you have musical skills you would like to share? Think about becoming a Mentor with OrKidstra!
Meet our 2025 OrKidstra Graduates
In this special video, hear directly from our seven 2025 grads as they reflect on how OrKidstra has helped them unlock their potential, find their voices through music, and build…
MusicTeach the children the beauty of music and music will teach them the beauty of life.
Timeless pieces. Modern classics.
At OrKidstra, we choose music that excites our students and resonates with different cultures. We’re proud to say that our students come from over 62 different linguistic and cultural backgrounds and our program includes music from classical, jazz, world, pop, folk and other traditions.
Teaching Method
All OrKidstra Teaching Artists are professional musicians and music educators. While they focus on teaching music, they also deeply care about the well-being and social development of the child.
Under the guidance of their Teaching Artists, OrKidstra’s Kid-Powered levels allow students to determine their own level of commitment.
Research
Music education has proven benefits on the cognitive and emotional development of children and these benefits last a lifetime.
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“Music lessons spur emotional and behavioral growth in children, new study says” – The Washington Post
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“Arts engagement can help counter divisions in society” – ScienceDaily
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“Early Music Lessons Have Longtime Benefits” – The New York Times
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“The Argument for Music Education – Musicians’ brains show striking benefits.” – American Scientist
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“Music Training Can Be a Literacy Superpower.” – George Lucas Educational Foundation
“What you have done in the past has a legacy…Older adults who have had music training in childhood…have stronger sound processing in the brain of these particular details…that are so important for communication.” – Dr. Nina Kraus, Ph.D. and Professor at Northwestern University
Anne Taylor Summer ProgramRemembering Anne, strengthening the future
The Anne Taylor Summer Program enables students from OrKidstra after-school programs to benefit from individual lessons and ensemble rehearsals in July and August. The Program, established in memory of Anne Taylor, also gives students the opportunity to strengthen their role in the community.
Anne Taylor was a member of OrKidstra’s Board of Directors who passed away in the summer of 2014. For Anne, OrKidstra was a perfect fit, combining her abiding passion for children’s education with her deep love of music.
Help Send a Kid to CAMP OrKidstra
Wisdom & Compassion
The late Anne Taylor was at heart an educator, teaching in Montreal, Alberta and Pakistan. Anne was also responsible for bringing a wealth of films from the National Film Board into Canadian classrooms. As well, she founded and co-directed MediaSmarts, an online media literacy site for kids. Anne was a much-loved volunteer in the Ottawa community; she is truly missed by all those who knew her.
Summer fun & music
We are honoured to dedicate our OrKidstra summer program (also known as CAMP OrKidstra) to the memory of Anne. OrKidstra students benefit from individual and group music lessons as well as special workshops, community service events and recreational outings during the summer months.
Apply to OrKidstraBring music into your child’s life
OrKidstra offers free after-school programs in Centretown, Vanier, and Heron Gatebfor kids ages 5-18. Parent Marie says, “I really like that my kids can be involved in music; it’s a very beneficial place for them to be after school.” Help your child grow their potential through music!
