Merriam Music

Business Details

38 Years

experience

Award-Winning Music School & Piano Showrooms in Toronto Area

Founded in 1988 by Alan Merriam, our business redefined music education and piano retail by blending inspiration, fairness, and excellence into every lesson and piano-buying experience. As a family-owned institution, we have grown into one of North Americas leading music education and retail destinations, operating campuses in Oakville, Vaughan, and Toronto. Our school delivers over 3,000 weekly lessons through innovative programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and inspiring performance stages.

Our piano showrooms feature over 650 new and 150 pre-owned instruments from renowned brands like C. Bechstein, Kawai, Roland, and Steinway. We are committed to transparency, fairness, and personalized guidance, helping customers find their perfect piano with confidence. Our globally recognized YouTube channel and Online Academy extend our expertise to students worldwide, ensuring accessibility to high-quality music education regardless of location.

Services

Piano Lessons Vocal Lessons Guitar Lessons Drum Lessons Music Production Piano Rental Piano Tuning Online Lessons Summer Camps RCM Exams Preparation

Details

Year established: 1988

Highlights and features

We offer proprietary Keyfest curriculum for accelerated musical fluency.
Our state-of-the-art facilities include multimedia stages and recording studios.
100+ teachers with an average tenure of 4.5 years ensure expertise and consistency.
We provide seamless online and in-person learning with 3,000+ weekly lessons.
Our YouTube channel has 100K+ subscribers and 20M+ views for global accessibility.

Website

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Services

Piano Lessons

Our piano lessons combine personalized instruction with innovative curricula for all skill levels. Students benefit from expert teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and performance opportunities. Whether you're a beginner or advanced player, our programs foster musical growth and confidence through structured learning and creative exploration.

Vocal Lessons

Vocal lessons focus on technique, song interpretation, and performance skills. Our certified instructors tailor sessions to individual goals, from classical training to contemporary styles. Students gain confidence and stage presence through regular recitals and ensemble opportunities.

Music Production

This program teaches recording, mixing, and composition using industry-standard tools. Students access professional studios and collaborate on projects. The curriculum bridges technical skills with creative expression for aspiring producers and engineers.

Piano Tuning

Professional piano tuning services ensure optimal sound quality. Our technicians use precision tools and techniques to maintain acoustic and digital instruments. Regular maintenance extends instrument lifespan and enhances playing experience for students and professionals alike.

Online Lessons

Flexible online lessons deliver the same quality as in-person sessions. Using advanced platforms, students connect with instructors globally. The program includes interactive tools, HD video, and customized lesson plans for continuous learning from any location.

People

Alan Merriam

Founder & CEO

Alan Merriam founded Merriam Music in 1988, revolutionizing music education and piano retail. With a background in performance and pedagogy, he developed the Keyfest curriculum and expanded the company into a North American leader. His vision emphasizes innovation, quality, and accessibility in music education.

Stuart Harrison

President

Stuart Harrison joined Merriam Music in 2005, rising to President in 2021. A graduate of the University of Toronto's Jazz Program, he has led sales, marketing, and digital initiatives. He co-owns the company with Alan Merriam, focusing on growth and operational excellence.

Questions

What types of music lessons do you offer?

We offer piano, vocal, guitar, drum, bass, string, and music production lessons for all ages and skill levels, including private, group, and online formats.

Are your instructors qualified?

Our 100+ instructors hold degrees from prestigious institutions like Juilliard and Berklee, with an average tenure of 4.5 years, ensuring expertise and consistency in teaching.

Do you provide piano rental services?

Yes, we offer piano rental options for students needing instruments at home, with flexible terms and maintenance support included.

Can I earn school credits through your programs?

Yes, our Merriam High School program offers Ontario secondary school credits for music courses, recognized by the Ministry of Education.

What piano brands do you carry?

We feature top brands including Kawai, Roland, Yamaha, Steinway, C. Bechstein, Schimmel, and Seiler, along with a selection of used pianos.

Do you offer summer camps?

Yes, we provide summer and March Break camps for children, combining music education with fun activities in a collaborative environment.

Reviews (7)

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Adam C.

Jan 26, 2022 Report

Our daughter has been taking group piano lessons with Merriam since she was 4 and weve loved it! Shes been lucky to work with the same wonderful teacher consistently -Miss Michelle Dizon. She is amazing with the kids both in person and now online. She is caring, supportive, always available and helpful, and able to cater to each childs individual development and needs despite the group setting. Its been a pleasure to see our daughter develop her music skills over the last few years under her careful guidance. Highly recommended!

Citas Garcia

Dec 26, 2021 Report

My daughter likes her piano teacher Ms. Michelle. She is very reliable and always encourages the kids. Whenever she gives an additional piano piece to study and learn, my daughter practices it right away. Even the games that Michelle plays with the students are about music. She gives equal and proper attention to all her students. We appreciate every creative token that Michelle is giving the kids.

Teshley Gregorich

Nov 25, 2021 Report

My daughter has been attending group piano lessons at Merriam for over 5 years now and it's incredible to see the progress. The teachers are personable, encouraging and professional. We've been fortunate to have Alana Merriam as an instructor who truly engages with her students and helps them achieve their learning goals through support and motivation.

Kerry Bair

Nov 09, 2021 Report

My daughter has been in group piano classes with Michelle Dizon for the past four years. Michelle has created a nuturing and fun environment that really keeps the children engaged. She has found a perfect balance of providing each child with individual feedback and guidance while reinforcing concepts learned with group activities. She goes above and beyond to ensure that the children's interest and love of music grows and my daughter's increasing skill and musicality definitely reflects this. Thanks Ms. Michelle!

Cesar Acosta

Oct 16, 2021 Report

I have 2 kids enrolled in the group piano for a few years now (Oakville location). I have to say that the curriculum is excellent and the group lessons make it vey fun for young kids. The teachers are great and children have many opportunities to perform on stage.
Michelle Dizon in particular is an excellent teacher, shes been my daughters teacher for the past 2.5 years and I have to say that she is very energetic, great at working with small children and makes lessons very engaging with games, contests and rewards for children. Highly recommended for learning music in a professional and

Jan Mathew

Oct 14, 2021 Report

My son has been learning piano from this school for more than 3 years now and still counting. Love the part that for group lessons, parents are involved in the class so that we can follow along what they are learning and continue the practice at home. Our teacher (Ms. Dizon) has been excellent with her delivery and makes it easy and fun for the kids to understand the lessons clearly. She is always energetic and really fun to have as a teacher. I highly recommend this school for anyone who would like to learn music.

Warren D'Souza

Jul 25, 2021 Report

Merriam is a really great music school for kids. Miss Hadley is doing a great job teaching the kids in the group piano program. Group piano is such a good way for kids to learn as opposed to the traditional one on one setting. Also, the recital component really helps kids with their confidence. I highly recommend Merriam!