imaginit music studio

promoting innovation, consciousness & delight

imaginit music studio operates in the film district (Eastern & Carlaw area) in downtown Toronto . Please contact us by telephone or email for our address or to come visit. It is a multi-use facility offering private music lessons and group workshops and is available for recording, rehearsal or writing sessions.

The studio is approx. 650 sq feet and features a well-maintained baby grand piano, good acoustics, good microphones and good vibes. Please contact us for sound equipment details.

The interior is warm & inviting, with rich fabrics & tones, a global attitude, lots of natural light from high windows, and a clean, fresh smelling bathroom!

A unique, free-standing building, the studio is at ground level, and set back from the street with a private, hang out garden area giving it a country cabin feel. Parking, load-in and drop off can take place conveniently right at the double front doors.

REHEARSING / RECORDING / COMPOSING

The space can be rented hourly or by blocks for solo or group rehearsals, writing retreats for songwriters and composers and for recording demo or CD projects.

Perfect for roots, jazz, folk, world and classical ensembles and singer/songwriters, the studio can provide live-off-the-floor or multitrack recording. Engineers, arrangers, producers, instrumentalists and vocalists can be sourced from the studio talent bank.

To hear examples of Lisa Patterson's production and engineering work please visit the MUSIC page.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Studies are offered in Piano; Saxophone; Voice; Theory; Composition; Songwriting; Creative Improvisation; Guitar or a custom designed combination. Lessons are designed for each individual's needs, skills and desires because we want to inspire you to want to spend time with your instrument. Most of us have had at least one experience where music lessons turned us off rather than on, so we endevour to keep it fun while accomplishing goals and dreams. From Mozart to the Blues, Global disciplines to Avril Lavigne, your input is valuable. Multitrack recording is available and used with all students, especially those working on songwriting, composing and improvising.

WORKSHOPS

Women's Group Vocal Workshop
international songs & contemporary improvisation

Young Songwriters
co-writing; arranging; performing; recording

Youth Band
lifting; listening; jamming; directing; performing

Musicianship for Kids
rhythm & melody; hand drumming; singing; story telling with music

SPECIAL EVENTS

Young Songwriter's Showcase
Kicked off in 2004, imaginit music presents a unique opportunity once a year in the Spring for youth songwriters to perform back to back with professional songwriters who are active recording / performing artists. Young songwriters from the Toronto downtown ages 8 ñ 18, each play & sing one composition, interspersed with mentoring pros, who do a couple songs each. Afterwards, CDs are sold & signed and questions and mingling are encouraged. Past mentors include Nasri, Lori Cullen, Blair Packham, Arlene Bishop, Kathryn Rose, Lynn Harrison, Daniela Nardi.

Sponsored by: imaginit music
Songwriter's Association of Canada (songwriters.ca)
and the Ralph Thornton Center (ralphthornton.org)

Performance Parties
Twice a year, in December and June, the studio hosts a gathering of students, friends and family, and general public, to celebrate musical accomplishments. Some people call them recitals but we prefer to keep it low pressure and make it more of a celebration. Each student sings, plays, or sings AND plays a piece and we all get to enjoy everyone's progressing confidence and skills. Please contact us for June and December performance party dates.

Performance parties are held at the spacious and acoustically pleasurable Ralph Thornton Center in South Riverdale, Toronto: www.ralphthornton.org

Please support their 88 KEYS PROGRAM: you can help this non-profit community center by "buying a key" of the beautiful new Yamaha acoustic piano.

Student CD Release
Each June, since 2003, the studio releases a compilation CD of original songs, stories and compositions from all students. Some tracks are simple with only one or two instruments and others are complex multi-track arrangements, but they are all expressive and original. CDs are available for purchase at the studio and performance parties.