To sing and belong: St. John's music studio offers Christmas cheer and inclusivity
CBC
Shine Music recently opened its doors to the public in St. John's, inviting visitors to listen to its young choirs rehearse for an upcoming winter recital.
About a dozen girls, between six and 12 years old, stood in a row beside a cardboard cut out of Taylor Swift and sang her holiday song Christmas Tree Farm. Their teacher provided the melody on a piano and plenty of encouragement.
"I think it's really fun because you just get to be yourself and sing," said 10-year-old Hailey Ryan.
That group, along with two other choirs, will perform on Dec. 14 at The Lantern in downtown St. John's.
Emily Martin, the studio's owner, said she began Shine Music eight years ago in her basement, while running music programs at Easter Seals. The studio grew quickly, she said, with so many inquiries that she had to bring in additional instructors. Today, Shine Music has a team of seven teachers.
Martin says the studio offers lessons for all ages and abilities, tailoring each session to the individual student. That includes individuals diagnosed with autism, ADHD, those who have faced difficult situations and people with physical disabilities.
"We have a studio that welcomes and celebrates everybody," said Martin.
"My mom had a disability, so I understand the struggles of trying to feel accepted."
Every program, recital and new initiative at the studio, she says, is created with her mother in mind and guided by a focus on inclusion and accessibility. The choirs are not divided by abilities — everyone has a place.
"My goal is to have a space where everybody feels welcome, celebrated and validated knowing they can go out into the world and find safe spaces do exist," Martin said.
As the choir harmonized their parts, parents gathered to watch. Then, Santa Claus himself made an appearance, taking time from his busy holiday schedule to greet the children.
"They're trying really hard," Claus said. "They're all good boys and girls. The music is fantastic."
In another room, four-year-old Zoey Judd practiced I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas with her teacher, Grace MacDonald.
Zoey said she loves music because "it's so musical," and her teacher is "so nice."
Alberta's election agency announced Monday it has approved a proposed referendum question on the province separating from Canada.
One person has been shot by police after allegedly stabbing two people in Toronto's northwest on Monday, police say.
Prince Edward Island's housing market is becoming more balanced, according to new data.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is presenting a new plan worth more than $35.5 billion to keep First Nations children connected to their communities, culture and families.
The RCMP arrested two men who allegedly used a classified ads website to recruit women to smuggle cannabis out of Canada to Nigeria via the country’s biggest airport.
One person is in a critical condition after an incident in Inukjuak, Que., which led to a shoot-out with police.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has picked business executive Mark Wiseman to serve as Canada's ambassador to the U.S.
A man in his thirties is in serious condition after a “targeted” shooting in Kensington Market early Monday morning, according to Toronto police.
One Labrador man is worried he might not make it home for the holidays after Wabush Airport cancelled multiple flights for several days.
Current and former members of Laurentian University’s staff and faculty unions will receive cheques in the new year after paying into a retiree health benefits plan that the university spent on its operational and capital budgets instead.
Shopping local may be the desire, but affordability might decide where shoppers spend their money this Christmas season.
As classes across New Brunswick pause for the holidays, it’s not yet clear which schools are making a dent in chronic absenteeism — a stubborn post-pandemic trend that mostly afflicts the high school cohort, especially in the Anglophone West school district.
CBC Quebec has launched its Make the Season Kind campaign. It's our annual campaign that focuses on food insecurity, while also celebrating kindness, generosity and community spirit around the province.