Kingston Strings Music Society logo Kingston Strings Music Society · est. Oct mmxxv Enroll
Annapolis Valley · Nova Scotia

Play
Skillfully.

A music studio teaching Violin alongside Royal Conservatory theory for a variety of other music interest — for students, parents, and teachers who believe music is a craft worth practicing well.

Begin Registration View Studies
Kingston Strings studio — violin in hand, mid-lesson.
In the studio
xxxiv
Years Teaching
v
Faculty Members
rcm
Theory & Practical

What's On.

News and upcoming engagements, gathered in one place — from open registration for the new season to our band-practice ensemble and seasonal group lessons across the Annapolis Valley.

Registration Open · 2026–2027 Season

Next season's registration is open.

Lesson registration for the 2026–2027 season is now open. Though we have traditionally focused on the violin family and piano, we're expanding our mission to offer instruction across all orchestral instruments — strings, reeds, woodwinds, brass and percussion — taught by our master faculty. Classes begin the second week of September.

Season
September – June
Instruments
All orchestral instruments & piano
Rates
Children's rates available
Savings
Discounts available
Announcing the Kingston Strings 2026–2027 music season. Lessons run September to June, now including all orchestral instruments — violin, viola, cello, double bass, reeds, woodwinds, brass and percussion — plus new piano instruction. Children's rates, family discounts, and service member discounts available.
How to enrol Reserve a place for the coming season by beginning your registration, or write to us at info@kingstonstrings.org with any questions about instruments, rates, or discounts.
Band Practice · New for September

Dust off your instrument (or start fresh!)

Remember the energy of band practice? We're bringing that classic, structured format back — designed for teens and adults alike. Under the expert guidance of Roger, a seasoned educator with a deep background across all levels and instruments, you'll find our rehearsals both rewarding and incredibly fun. Come join the ensemble!

When
Thursday evenings, starting Sept
Band fees
Discounted if enrolled in regular lessons
Kingston Strings band practice — a new music ensemble group lesson taught by Roger Taylor, open to all experience levels.

Who it's for Teens & adults

  • Beginners — learn your very first notes in a supportive environment.
  • Returners — dust off your old instrument and pick up right where you left off.
  • Veterans — keep your skills sharp and enjoy playing in a group dynamic.
Good to know Rehearsals are Thursday evenings starting in September. Let us know as soon as possible if you need to rent an instrument from us, so we can make arrangements to get one to you. To register your interest, write to us at info@kingstonstrings.org.
Seasonal · Tuesdays at 6:00 PM

Summer Group Lessons.

An ensemble-style setting where students learn to follow a conductor. Our summer season focuses on building community through music, culminating in an informal concert on the final evening.

InstructorTaught by Aleksa Lear

$110/ month
Season
June 2nd – Aug 25th
Evening
Tuesdays · 6:00 PM
Ages
All ages welcome
Location
Kingston Strings Studio

Beginner Track · i

  • Early Suzuki repertoire
  • Basic note reading
  • Playing in a group

Intermediate Track · ii

  • Learning harmonies
  • Ensemble leadership
  • Irish & Folk techniques
Repertoire Early Suzuki music paired with layered harmonies, hymns, and fun Irish and folk tunes.
i.

A small faculty, each a working musician.

Five faculty members — each a dedicated musician — carrying the studio between them. The studio stays small on purpose — so every student is known, and every lesson is prepared for.

i

Jonathan George

President

After a successful career as a professional pilot, Jonathan took over as President of Kingston Strings Music Society in 2026. He is deeply committed to providing world-class music education in the Annapolis Valley, focusing on excellence in both music and character development. He also enjoys lutherie, violin making and violin family bow maintenance in his spare time. "I am so grateful to be working with such dedicated professionals, committed students and supportive community."

ii

Amy Spurr-Caveney

Vice President

Amy began her violin journey with Kingston Strings and is now a full-time violinist and regularly plays with the Nova Scotia Symphony Orchestra and other well know musicians. With degrees from Memorial University and the University of Toronto, she oversees the Society's professional standards and faculty development, and is deeply committed to providing a quality learning experience for all students.

iii

Roger F. Taylor

Head Instructor

A teacher with Kingston Strings since 2005, Roger was educated in the UK (Bristol) and France. He is an accomplished composer, performer, and RCM theory expert who leads the instrumental programs with a focus on refined technique and musicality.

iv

Emily Nyenhuis

Instructor

Emily holds honors in RCM Piano and Violin (Level 9). She combines her advanced studies with a dedicated teaching practice, fostering a love for music in students of all ages through her own studio and at the Kingston Strings Music Society.

v

Aleksa Lear

Ensemble Instructor

With a lifelong devotion to the violin, Aleksa specializes in fostering nurturing environments where technical proficiency meets a deep, intuitive love for the craft. Aleksa leads our Summer Group Lessons, guiding students through the collaborative process of ensemble performance.

ii.

Studies and tuition.

Private tuition and ensemble practice. Billed monthly, cancellable with a month's notice, and priced so a family of two players is never priced out of lessons.

Children's

Children's rate

$45/ month
  • Weekly private lesson
  • Christmas & Summer recitals
  • Season: Sept – June
  • Exempt from discounts
Select
Track

Core Progress

Ideal for regular practice and maintenance — perfect for the busy individual looking for steady, dependable growth. These are 30-minute classes.

$85/ month
  • Weekly one-to-one lesson
  • Suzuki book I – X
  • Christmas & Spring recitals
  • Season: Sept – June
  • 50% off band & ensemble fees
Select
Track

Professional

Designed for those who want to dig deeper. These are one-hour lessons and include ensemble fees.

$110/ month
  • Advanced RCM repertoire
  • Full theory & ear-training
  • Examination preparation
  • Seat on the orchestra
Select Recommended

Ensembles & group practice

Weekly group rehearsals for players who want to make music together. Discount available for students enrolled in regular lessons.

Ensemble

Band practice

$30/ month
  • Brass, reed, woodwind & percussion
  • All skill levels welcome
  • Discounts for enrolled students
Select
Ensemble

String ensemble practice

$30/ month
  • Violin, viola, cello & double bass
  • Minimum 1–2 years of prior lessons
  • Basic music theory required
  • Sight-reading an asset, not essential
  • Discounts for enrolled students
Select
iii.

Rentals & discounts.

Instruments to get started, and the family discounts that keep more than one player affordable.

Support

Instrument rental

$20/ month
  • Luthier-serviced violins
  • Half, 3/4, and full sizes
  • Violas on request
Inquire
Military

Servicemember discount

15%off lesson fees
  • For active and veteran servicemembers
  • A standalone discount in its own right
Inquire
Family

Multi-member family discount

15%off each add'l member
  • Enroll more than one family member and save
  • Full price applies to the highest-value package
  • 15% off each additional member's equal or lesser-value package
Inquire
Season

Free month of June

Freecatch-up month
  • June is a free month
  • To catch up on cancelled or missed lessons
Inquire

Please note: discounts on lesson fees are not stackable.

iv.

Bow services.

Rehairing, repairs, and maintenance for the violin family — bows kept in playing condition by hand.

Violin Family

Rehairing

  • Fresh horsehair, hand-fitted
  • Violin, viola, cello & bass bows
  • Cleaned, combed & re-tensioned
Violin Family

Repairs

  • Tips, wedges & eyelets
  • Winding, grip & leather
  • Cambre & straightening
Partnership

School & orchestra upkeep

Jon also maintains the bows for the Kingston Strings violin school and student orchestra, keeping every player's stick ready for the season.

Jonathan George — Violin Family Bow Repair Services. Bow rehairing with high-quality horsehair, frog and button repair, screw and eyelet replacement, grip and winding, tip plate replacement, and stick straightening and crack repair.
Inquiries

Speak with Jonathan George

For rehairing, repairs, or bow maintenance, reach out directly and Jonathan will be glad to help.

 
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v.

Come by, write, or ring.

Lessons, tours, or a conversation about music. Any of it.

The Studio

743 Academic Avenue
Kingston · NS · B0P 1R0

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Registration

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© Mmxxvi · Kingston Strings — Play Skillfully — Annapolis Valley · NS