What does Music Equal? For the audience, music equals happiness and enjoyment. For instructors, music may equal pride and satisfaction. The MCMA's Music Equals outreach programs ensures that those facing economic and social barriers can still access music and all of it's benefits. It's amazing to see what young musicians can achieve through the magic of music!

Among its three arms, the Music Equals Program brings music to the community:

The Strings, Rock and Song Program offers music instruction in a school setting;

The Bursary Program brings deserving youth facing socio-economic barriers into our individual instruction programs;

The Concert Series shares the talents of students and the faculty with our neighbors by hosting live musical performances in community hubs within our underserved communities.

All parts of the Music Equals Program seek to change lives by taking music to the streets and schools of Winnipeg and beyond, because we believe that music belongs to everyone.

What our Partners are saying:

"The physically largest young boy in our school never felt like he fit in; he always walked with his head down and never made eye contact. After participating in the music program he now walks with his head held high. He sees himself as an artist and someone who can accomplish things."       

“Most of our children have never been exposed to instruments such as the violin. Not only does the program provide exposure to a wonderful instrument and culture, but it provides a benefit to all our children involved.  Educationally, the benefit encourages music learning in the school, especially for those students that may be slightly academically challenged.  Personally and socially, the benefit encourages teamwork, respect and cooperation.  Musically the benefit helps keep students excited about music class with the hope that it extends outside of the classroom.“   

What our Students are saying:

"This class was awesome! The song makes me happy. I like the words. It was my first time standing on a stage, and I was feeling kind of shy, but the song really helped me through it. I want to perform on stage again and again!"

"I love the songs that I have learned. It is fun when you first learn a song and learn how to get through the problems. It was awesome to play for people."       

“I have a skill now. I have a hobby…I don’t just go and sit down and play videogames all day"

"I never knew I could play until I tried."