A new free music academy in Abbotsford opened its doors on Oct. 1.
The Bakerview Music Academy (BMA) is located in Bakerview Church, 2285 Clearbrook Rd.
The program starts with 30 children from under-privileged situations. They are offered a snack plus two hours of professional classical music instruction twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
All the children have the opportunity to learn one instrument – either the violin, cello or piano – and will sing in the choir.
The program is inspired by the “El Sistema” system in Venezuela and by the St. James Music Academy in East Vancouver.
The program in Venezuela currently has more than 350,000 children enrolled in free music instruction. In some cases, the kids attend four or five times a week.