JULIA ROONEY MUSIC SCHOOL

MUSIC EDUCATION THAT RESONATES

 

OVerview

This in-demand studio of more than 35 students offers music lessons to fit the needs of your busy lifestyle. Julia Rooney is an active performer and teacher in Vancouver who welcomes every opportunity to share her joy of music with her students in a fun and supportive learning environment. Julia has the skills, experience, and attitude to help you achieve your musical goals - big or small!

JULIA ROONEY, Director & Head Teacher

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Credentials

  • Master of Music in Opera, University of British Columbia

  • Bachelor of Music in Opera, University of British Columbia

  • Summer Academy Diplomas, Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria

  • Music for Children Teacher Training, Orff Certification Level 1, Carl Orff Canada

  • Piano & Voice Training, Mount Royal College Conservatory in Calgary, AB

  • Training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC

  • French Immersion Certificate, Province of Alberta

Experience

  • Over 10 years of teaching experience

  • Over 15 years of working with children

  • Considerable experience working with English Language Learners

  • Some experience working with students on the Autism Spectrum and students with a variety of learning disabilities

  • Experienced musician regularly performing and teaching in Vancouver

  • Learn more about Julia here

D’ARCY BLUNSTON, Associate Teacher

In order to accommodate the increased demand for music lessons, Rooney Music School is pleased to announce the addition of an associate teacher, D’Arcy Blunston.

D’Arcy is a reputable and experienced music teacher well-versed in classical, musical theatre, and CCM techniques. Her teaching philosophy is all about tailoring instruction and coaching to the unique voice and goals of each student!

Learn more about D’Arcy here.

 
We love Julia - she is a fantastic music teacher!
— Mary, parent of 9 year-old piano student

Classes Offered

Lesson Information

  • Convenient classes in your home (Vancouver West Side, other areas to be considered).

  • Weekday Daytime Lessons Available

  • After School Lesson Times Available

  • Private Lessons (one on one) with the option to create your own Semi-Private Group for Singing, Music & Movement

Not ready to commit to weekly lessons?

  • If you are an adult seeking sporadic daytime lessons, please visit this page.

  • If you are a new student, you get to try three lessons before committing to a term, so read on for more information.


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VOICE LEssons

  • Recommended for ages 7+

  • Develop confidence in singing while increasing your range

  • Learn to breathe properly to support your sound

  • Learn how to project a clear, healthy singing voice that does not tire easily

  • Work on voice repertoire in classical, musical theatre, folk, and jazz styles

  • Julia has helped many students prepare for auditions, RCM exams, Kiwanis Music Festival, musical productions, talent shows, open mic nights, choir concerts, and even for singing in film and television series.

  • Piano, Digital Piano, or Keyboard required for the lessons

  • Recital Performance Opportunities Available

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Piano LEssons

  • Recommended for ages 5+

  • Develop musicality and proper piano technique

  • Learn how to play piano with skill, confidence, and enjoyment

  • Work through the Faber Piano Adventures Series or Royal Conservatory of Music Celebration Series (Advanced Beginners)

  • Learn to read music on the staff (treble and bass clefs)

  • Julia has worked with beginner students of all ages and has prepped students for RCM exams.

  • Piano, Digital Piano, or Keyboard required for the lessons (it is highly recommended to have weighted keys)

  • Recital Performance Opportunities Available

Music & Movement Classes

  • Recommended for children 3 to 8 years old.

  • Day-time classes available during the week

  • Classes include singing, actions, and creativity!

  • In-person classes include percussion instruments

  • Semi-private: You select the classmates by putting together a small group of your child's friends

  • Private: Available as a 30 or 45-minute class, but can also be done as a 15-minute add-on for younger siblings.

  • Parent participation is required for the first few classes. Following this, parents may enjoy a coffee hour nearby in the home, however each parent is responsible for their own child for the duration of the class.

  • No required equipment, just an open area is needed

Music Theory Classes

  • Recommended for ages 8+

  • Available as an add-on to Singing or Piano lessons

  • Increase your lesson time by 15 minutes to add Music Theory

  • Work through levels in the Royal Conservatory of Music Celebrate Theory or Frederick Harris Keyboard Theory book series.

  • An excellent way for singing students to learn how to read music

Julia’s gentle yet disciplined approach, was the perfect way to introduce music to our twins. They looked forward to their weekly lessons and we could see their confidence grow as their skills developed. By the end of the year they were able to gain valuable experience performing at a intimate and non-threatening recital Julia held for all of her students. We have enjoyed learning and growing musically with Julia.
— Tina, parent of 4 year-old twins

In-Person Private Lesson RaTES

  • No taxes or travel surcharges

  • $68 for a 30-minute lesson

  • $78 for a 45-minute lesson

  • $88 for a 60-minute lesson or for two consecutive 30-minute lessons

ONLINE Private Lesson RaTES

  • No taxes

  • $53 for a 30-minute lesson

  • $63 for a 45-minute lesson

  • $73 for a 60-minute lesson or for two consecutive 30-minute lessons

SeMI-Private Class RaTES (In-Person)

  • For Singing or Music & Movement classes

  • No taxes or travel surcharges

  • 2 Students: $40 each for a 45-minute lesson / $35 each for a 30-minute lesson

  • 3 Students: $30 each for a 45-minute lesson / $25 each for a 30-minute lesson

  • 4 Students: $25 each for a 45-minute lesson / $20 each for a 30-minute lesson

Studio Recitals

  • Studio recitals are held two times per year typically in March and June.

  • There will be an online recital in December.

NEW STUDENTS:

  • New students are not required to register for a term until they have tried 3 lessons. Following the initial 3 lessons, you may decide to register for the remainder of the term. (Please note that for the Fall Term, I do anticipate filling my studio, so please complete the initial 3 lessons in the summer to ensure I am the correct fit).

LESSON TERMS:

  • For information on the current term, please view the Registration Page

  • Fall Term: September to December

  • Winter Term: January to March

  • Spring Term: April to June

  • Summer Term: July & August (No set term dates. You decide how many summer lessons you'd like and when, and we set the schedule in advance)

STUDIo POLICIES:

  • Lessons are scheduled weekly at the same time and length for the duration of a term (with the exception of summer classes). Daytime and Sunday morning lesson times are available.

  • You are allowed to cancel 2 lessons per term. A minimum of 24 hours notice via email are required to cancel a lesson to be eligible for a make-up lesson. A maximum of 2 make-up lessons are allowed per term.

  • If Julia cancels a lesson due to her non-availability, it will be rescheduled as possible or carry over to the next term as credit. A lesson cancelled and rescheduled by Julia is not counted as a make-up lesson.

  • The recording of lessons (audio or video) is strictly prohibited as it interferes with the learning process. If there is something that you would like to record, please endeavor to do it outside of class time.

PAYMENT & BILLING:

  • After all the registrations have been processed, you will be offered a lesson time which you are free to accept or reject at your discretion.

  • You will receive a detailed invoice of your lesson time, dates, and payment required.

  • In order to confirm/hold your lesson time, you must pay for the full term or split payment into 2 installments upon receipt of your invoice.

  • Cheques and Interac E-Transfers are accepted. If you’d like to pay cash, we can work something out.

  • Receipts will be issued via email each time payment is received.

Julia is so helpful. I had a great time at the lesson today - I feel much more confident about my abilities now!
— Alex, 18 year-old singing student
I really enjoyed learning practical skills and techniques from Julia which helped improve my confidence in singing, all the while in a relaxed and comfortable setting.
— Tom, 22 year-old singing student & guitarist

A Little Bit About JULIA ROONEY:

I come from a musical background partly because I just began to sing all the time from the age of three. I loved music classes in preschool so much that I asked for a piano for my fifth birthday. I began taking piano lessons and enjoyed playing and singing at the same time so I asked to join a choir at age 6 and asked for private singing lessons at age 7. Growing up (first in Saskatoon, then in Calgary), I enjoyed competing in local music festivals in classical voice and musical theatre while continuing to play piano and study music theory in the RCM system as well. I decided to make opera my focus in post-secondary education (BMus & MMus, UBC), but continue to enjoy a variety of musical styles and instruments.

Currently, I am an active musician and teacher in Vancouver, a member of the Vancouver Opera Chorus, and have performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, North Shore Light Opera, Heroic Opera, Opera Mariposa, Bard on the Beach: Opera & Arias, UBC Opera, UBC Symphony Orchestra, Applause Musicals, Fear No Opera (Victoria), Westben Arts Festival Theatre (Ontario), and the North Czech Philharmonic, as well as on tour across BC with Vancouver Opera in Schools during the 2013-2014 season. My private music studio was officially established in 2015 after teaching on and off for a number of years. In the spring of 2017, I held my first studio recital, which now happens 2-4 times a year. Additional teaching opportunities have included Extra-Curricular Music Instructor at Capilano Elementary School (North Vancouver), Group Singing Instructor for Lights Up Musical Theatre Camps (Richmond Location), as well as teaching many audition-prep classes and coaching on-set for local actors. In February 2022, Julia began teaching preschool music classes with Music Band Wagon, a music outreach program with the Vancouver Academy of Music.