World Traditions Music School
Explore an instrument, a repertoire of songs, or a repertoire of dances with professional artists who have teaching experience
Courses to explore the world's musical traditions
Learning World Music
The Centre des musiciens du monde offers instrument, singing, dance and ensemble lessons rooted in living musical traditions: West Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Iran, the Balkans, Quebec and many others.
Lessons are open to children and adults alike, from beginners to experienced musicians. Private lessons, group lessons, ensembles or online learning: each path is built around your goals.
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Courses for All Levels
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, every course adapts to your level. Groups are formed according to participants’ experience.
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Several Ways to Learn
Private lessons, group lessons, ensembles or online courses. Sessions in the fall, winter and spring, as well as discovery workshops and skill building intensives.
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Specialized Musicians
All of the Centre’s teachers are professional musicians, trained in their tradition of origin and experienced in teaching.
Everything you need to know
Frequently asked questions about music lessons
How do I register for a course?
All registrations are done online through the Amilia platform. If you don’t yet have an account, you’ll need to create one first.
Group Lessons
Choose the course you’re interested in directly from the Amilia registration form, available on the course page, then follow the registration steps.
Private Lessons
Before registering, book a phone appointment with our team through Amilia. This first conversation lets us open your file, better understand your goals, and offer you a schedule suited to your needs, based on the teacher’s availability.
Who are the music lessons for?
Music lessons are open to all levels, from beginners to more experienced musicians. Whether you want to discover a new instrument, develop your musical skills, or deepen your knowledge of a particular musical tradition, our teachers adapt their teaching to your path.
Who are the teachers?
Our teachers are professional musicians specialized in the musical traditions of their culture of origin. They have in depth knowledge of their instrument, its techniques, history and repertoire.
Beyond musical learning, they pass on a living cultural heritage, while adapting their teaching to each student’s level, pace and goals.
Is it possible to rent or buy an instrument?
Depending on the instrument chosen, our teachers can advise you on the options available for obtaining an instrument suited to your level and practice.
Where do the lessons take place?
Lessons take place at the Centre des musiciens du monde, located at 5043 Saint-Dominique Street in Montreal, in the Mile End neighbourhood. Some lessons are also offered online.
Is it possible to take lessons online?
Yes. Some lessons are offered online, in a private format. See our list of online lessons to discover which ones are offered remotely.
Why learn a traditional instrument?
Learning a traditional instrument is a way to discover a musical culture, its history and its practices. It’s a way to explore new rhythms, techniques and repertoires while developing your own musical expression.
Are the lessons suited to beginners?
Yes. No musical prerequisite is required to get started. Teachers guide each student according to their level, learning pace and goals. More accessible instruments, such as many traditional percussion instruments, make it especially easy to quickly discover the pleasure of playing music.
What's the difference between a private lesson and a group lesson?
Private lessons offer personalized guidance based on your goals and learning pace. Group lessons allow you to learn in a collective setting, develop your musical ear, and share the experience with other students.