RCM Smart Start

The Smart Start Program, designed by the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) combines music, movement, and play to enhance early childhood development. It offers play-based classes filled with diverse songs and activities in multiple languages, all backed by over 60 years of neuroscience research.

The curriculum targets four key cognitive skills:

  • Attention
  • Memory
  • Perception
  • Cognitive Flexibility

Experience the blend of culture and language in music education, backed by research for proven results. This program provides measurable developmental milestones, ensuring a rich, fun, and educational experience for every child. For more scientific insights, visit Smart Start Program.

The 2024/25 Fall Academic Year Enrollment is now open! Scroll down to see the Fall schedules and registration details.  

For 2024 Summer Sampler Courses, please search “Summer Smart Start” in the search bar to access registration details.

Click Here 🔜 Get Notified About Enrollment Details & Registration Support


Watch Our Webinar To Learn More!

Thank you to everyone who joined our live info session on May 11th! For those who couldn’t make it, CLICK HERE to watch the replay and learn more about the Smart Start program, featuring a Q&A with neuroscience expert Dr. Sean Hutchins.


RCM Smart Start

RCM Smart Start: 3 years old

Instructor: Chloe Hurst: Division Chair, Caroline Jang, Ryan Vermeer
Recommended for: for children that are 3 years old, born in 2021
Class Time: Tuesdays, 12:45-1:45pm (full year Sept-June) Fridays, 4:00-5:00pm (full year Sept-June) Saturdays, 9:45-10:45am (full year Sept-June)
Semester Fee:
  • $450
Class Description: In this class, children learn foundational musical skills such as tempo, meter, pitch, and volume together through educational, movement-based games and multi arts activities. By age 3, children are beginning to develop their singing voices, and as such, singing a wide range of songs is a vital component of the Smart Start curriculum. By age 3, children’s basic cognitive skills are in place. Smart Start is designed to work with these cognitive skills through activities such as recognizing musical patterns, focusing on the most important aspects of music, and understanding connections across artistic representations. Children work in musical and artistic collaborations designed to foster basic musical knowledge and spur on individual and group creativity. Socialization and personal growth are strengthened via group engagement. Many children are ready for an independent music class without their care provider at age three. Generally, we recommend a parent or caregiver attend for the first few classes, until the child is ready to attend class independently. This decision is individual and flexible. This is a full-year class (of a maximum of 30 classes between Sept-May) Tuition: $450 per 15 week semester + $30 material fee per semester
Please Note: Registration for classes and lessons between September and June are subject to an annual registration fee of $75. In addition to covering administrative costs,
this fee grants membership to the Vancouver Academy of Music Society and discounted ticket prices to several ticket events.

RCM Smart Start: 0-12 months

Instructor: Chloe Hurst: Division Chair, Caroline Jang, Ryan Vermeer
Recommended for: 0-12 months for babies born in 2024
Class Time: Tuesdays, 11:30am-12:15pm (September intake) Wednesdays, 12:00-12:45pm (September intake)
Semester Fee:
  • $360
Class Description: Children are naturally curious about music from a very early age, and the positive atmosphere of this class helps foster lifelong connections with music, builds strong parent-child emotional bonds, and provides a weekly forum for social interaction. The goal of this course is to expose you and your child to the basic concepts of music through sensory awareness and self-creation, with particular attention paid to beat, rhythm, and listening skills. Infants are just beginning to explore the world around them, and that includes their musical world. Even before they are born, children can hear music all around them, and our classes start from the very beginning. In this class, you and your child will start to learn about the fundamentals of music through movement, singing, and play. The course is designed to foster basic cognitive skills through a musical framework, and to help parents and caregivers learn ways to interact with the child through music. A typical class begins with a greeting song, followed by gentle bouncing games, finger plays, movement, and many songs. The class concludes with lullabies or other songs for all to enjoy. A parent or guardian accompanies their child for each class for the full session. Tuition: $360 per 15 week semester + $30 material fee per semester
Please Note: Registration for classes and lessons between September and June are subject to an annual registration fee of $75. In addition to covering administrative costs,
this fee grants membership to the Vancouver Academy of Music Society and discounted ticket prices to several ticket events.

RCM Smart Start: 12-24 months

Instructor: Chloe Hurst: Division Chair, Caroline Jang, Ryan Vermeer
Recommended for: 12-24 months for babies born in 2023
Class Time: Wednesdays, 10:00-10:45am (September intake) Fridays, 2:00-2:45pm (September intake)
Semester Fee:
  • $360
Class Description: The active, music-based activities in this class help support your child’s cognitive, social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development, while facilitating parent-child bonding. Coordination, body control, and spatial awareness skills are accrued through games built around walking, dancing, and age-appropriate percussion instruments such as shakers, drums, and bells. As infants grow into toddlers, their musical abilities and needs develop as well. This class works with toddler’s ever-expanding cognitive skills through rich and engaging musical activities with the child and caregiver. Activities focus on topics such as musical memory, creative artistic play, and active imitation. Parents and caregivers both participate, providing further exemplars to interact with your child musically. Tuition: $360 per 15 week semester + $30 material fee per semester
Please Note: Registration for classes and lessons between September and June are subject to an annual registration fee of $75. In addition to covering administrative costs,
this fee grants membership to the Vancouver Academy of Music Society and discounted ticket prices to several ticket events.

RCM Smart Start: 2 years old

Instructor: Chloe Hurst: Division Chair, Caroline Jang, Ryan Vermeer
Recommended for: for toddlers who are 2 years old, born in 2022
Class Time: Tuesdays, 10:30am-11:15am (September intake) Wednesdays, 11:00am-11:45am (September intake) Fridays, 3:00-3:45pm (September intake)
Semester Fee:
  • $360
Class Description: Set your child on the right path by engaging them in music and movement based play. This class focuses on developing gross motor function in toddlers by encouraging them to move their bodies in time to sounds and music. At age 2, children are beginning to develop more complex cognitive skills that will aid them later in life. These classes focus on cognitive skills relevant to music, such as sustaining attention, remembering songs, and recognizing perceptual cues. Children in these classes will learn how to apply these skills towards musical exploration, and gain greater musical independence through basic musical skills. At this age, parents or caregivers assist their child’s musical creativity and gain further skills for musical interaction with their child. With an emphasis on the fundamentals of listening and singing, playing simple instruments like maracas and drums, and taking turns, this course helps develop music competence and fosters confidence, belonging, and security among its weekly attendees. A single designated care provider accompanies their child for all classes for this course. Tuition: $360 per 15 week semester + $30 material fee per semester
Please Note: Registration for classes and lessons between September and June are subject to an annual registration fee of $75. In addition to covering administrative costs,
this fee grants membership to the Vancouver Academy of Music Society and discounted ticket prices to several ticket events.