VISION
KCMS aspires to nurture a community of creative lifelong learners through exceptional music education.
We envision our students developing life skills of resilience, collaboration,
and habits of excellence in addition to reaching their personal musical goals.
Our History
KCMS was founded in 1976 by a group of parents wanting to pass on the gift of music making to their children. Faced with travelling some distance for a qualified teacher, a seed was sown to build a school in Kelowna. The first KCMS faculty included Denis Letourneau, who remains very much active in our music community
to this day.
​
KCMS occupied numerous sites before settling on DeHart Avenue in 1991, and we are again looking for a new home!
​
KCMS celebrates over 45 years of excellence in teaching and now has an enrolment of approximately 400 students, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, and served by an outstanding, 24-strong faculty.
​
About Us
Our goal is to provide high quality music instruction, thereby helping to foster the growth of our music community.
​
The culture of KCMS is characterized by the diversity, creativity, and commitment
of its student body, by the high
professional standards, imagination,
and dedication of its faculty and administrative staff, and by the joyfulness
of musical expression in all genres by
both students and faculty throughout the greater community.
​
KCMS is a member of the BC Association of Community Music Schools, and is a registered non-profit charitable society.
Our Board
Our Board is comprised of a variety of professionals volunteering their time to the music community, for which we are truly thankful.
If you wish to join our Board or support KCMS in other ways, please click the link below!
Lucy Benwell
Executive Director
Amy Chadwick
Artistic Director
Grace Ren
Office Administrator
Robert Payne
President
Message from the President: KCMS Society Board of Directors
Welcome to the Kelowna Community Music School!
We are a charitable, not-for-profit organization that seeks to provide affordable, top-quality instruction to residents in the Kelowna area and beyond.
Musical development and growth are challenging regardless of the level one is pursuing. Our talented faculty develop relationships with every student in their private lessons to inspire and to create opportunities for success.. KCMS group programs provide an opportunity for students to learn together, support one another, and share a slice of life - through music - while pursuing personal growth.
We are exceptionally proud of our Kelowna Community Music School. The Board of Directors, in combination with our fabulous Administrative Team, are consistently looking for ways to improve our students’ personal experiences and love of music making.
Most importantly, we wish to applaud you for pursuing your and your children’s musical journey.
​
Musical advancement helps develop determination, discipline, and dedication – traits that will help anyone through difficult times that will arise in their lives. Though the personal satisfaction, enjoyment, pleasure and pride of artistic achievement are the observable outcomes of the musician’s journey, there are a multitude of benefits beneath the surface that will prove valuable throughout the walk of life. Most importantly, music feeds the soul and fuels the heart!
​
~ Robert Payne