The Steelpan programs have been operating in schools within Montreal and Toronto for over 10 years. The Steelpan program and workshop aims to expose students to a bright and uplifting musical experience where they will learn about the invention, development and progression of the Steelpan as an instrument and as a cultural representation in our multi-cultural Canadian society. This program is all about inclusivity and diversity of all aspects, from the students involved to the repertoire they will be presented to learn and perform, which encourages the students to better understand their potential as leaders, ambassadors and builders of communities.
Some of the schools that have hosted the Steelpan program include:
-L' Amoreaux Collegiate Institute -Dixon Grove JMS
-North Kipling JMS -Greenwood Secondary School
-Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School -Linden School
-Don Mills CI -Woodbine Middle School
-Port Royal Public School -Camp Gesher
-Robert Service Senior Public School
*TDSB Mental Health & Wellness Conference
How the workshops are formatted:
Delivered as a 1) presentation & performance or 2) group workshop
1) Presentation & Performance includes:
Introduction to the Steelpan instrument and culture:
Musical demonstration and performance of the Steelpan through the years, from its invention up to now. Discussing the global reach of the unique instrument.
*opportunity for a few students to come up and try out the instrument
Q&A session
2) In-school Workshop includes:
Introduction to the Steelpan instrument and culture:
Participant involvement (accommodating maximum 15 students)
-Learning proper hand and stick-holding technique, and positioning behind the steelpan
-Begin learning your first song on Steelpan then perform it to your best ability at the end!
*Participants can range in age/grades beginning from age 7.
Pricing:
Presentation/Performance:
-$150 / Initial hour
-$75 / additional hour
Workshops:
-Single day workshops: same pricing as above
-Also available as a customizable weekly program (min. 8 weeks). $75/session
*Additional fee for rental of additional sets of steelpans (up to 7 sets, which could accommodate 7 to 14 participants). No additional fee if Steelpans are provided
Testimonials:
“My experience with the Steelpan program was great. It was a new skill I learned. The program allowed me to interact with other students and [I] also learned a new instrument. Overall, it was a great experience.”
"I've known Zaynab for four years as her steel pan student and she's always so kind and patient when she's teaching. Her pan skills are also amazing and she's overall very confident and gets along with everyone! It was a pleasure to be in her class!"
“Steel pan drums was an amazing experience. I got to learn a new style of music, and a new instrument. I also got to make new friends in this awesome program. It was really fun to hear cool sounds from the musical instruments. It is so cool to make fun beats and songs from these steelpan drums. The instructors are also really fun to learn with and I always felt included.”
“One of the many things I enjoyed about the program was the fact that everybody in the program always included, and no one ever got left out, which is one of the many great things about extra curricular.”
“The first day I walked into the cafeteria to attend my first ever steelpan drum meeting, I was kindly and enthusiastically greeted by Zaynab, also known as the nicest human being alive. Honestly, I have never met someone nearly as caring as her. She is the reason my time in the steelpan drum [club] was enjoyable. She never gets mad and has the impressive ability to teach while the annoying non-synchronized music is being played, which would instantly cause an explosion in my brain while trying to use my weak human voice trying to suppress the noises of the {steel}pans. The snack and juice were delicious, which was also another thing that created an excitement in attending meetings, although that didn’t give me any necessary energy since the presence of Zaynab already [gave] me enthusiasm and interest to learn. I believe that what defines the steelpan drum club experience is the interaction and the relationship between the teachers and the students. The songs are honestly never difficult to learn or play, practice is crucial and was the only thing required to perfect playing skills. It’s the way the teacher [gets] us to practice that made the performance of songs flawless. Zaynab is one of those rare teachers who isn’t accompanied with an appearance of a teacher, which made it possible for students to interact with [her] as if they were friends. There wasn’t a need to specifically focus and pay attention to not disrespecting the teacher as a student (as with other teachers) since we [were] like friends and we just naturally respect each other; they teach, I listen.”
Some of the schools that have hosted the Steelpan program include:
-L' Amoreaux Collegiate Institute -Dixon Grove JMS
-North Kipling JMS -Greenwood Secondary School
-Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School -Linden School
-Don Mills CI -Woodbine Middle School
-Port Royal Public School -Camp Gesher
-Robert Service Senior Public School
*TDSB Mental Health & Wellness Conference
How the workshops are formatted:
Delivered as a 1) presentation & performance or 2) group workshop
1) Presentation & Performance includes:
Introduction to the Steelpan instrument and culture:
Musical demonstration and performance of the Steelpan through the years, from its invention up to now. Discussing the global reach of the unique instrument.
*opportunity for a few students to come up and try out the instrument
Q&A session
2) In-school Workshop includes:
Introduction to the Steelpan instrument and culture:
Participant involvement (accommodating maximum 15 students)
-Learning proper hand and stick-holding technique, and positioning behind the steelpan
-Begin learning your first song on Steelpan then perform it to your best ability at the end!
*Participants can range in age/grades beginning from age 7.
Pricing:
Presentation/Performance:
-$150 / Initial hour
-$75 / additional hour
Workshops:
-Single day workshops: same pricing as above
-Also available as a customizable weekly program (min. 8 weeks). $75/session
*Additional fee for rental of additional sets of steelpans (up to 7 sets, which could accommodate 7 to 14 participants). No additional fee if Steelpans are provided
Testimonials:
“My experience with the Steelpan program was great. It was a new skill I learned. The program allowed me to interact with other students and [I] also learned a new instrument. Overall, it was a great experience.”
- Salman Shaikh, Student. Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School
- Natalie Monteque, Teacher. TDSB Toronto District School Board
- Mona Ngang, Student | L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute
"I've known Zaynab for four years as her steel pan student and she's always so kind and patient when she's teaching. Her pan skills are also amazing and she's overall very confident and gets along with everyone! It was a pleasure to be in her class!"
- Betsi Li, Student. L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute
“Steel pan drums was an amazing experience. I got to learn a new style of music, and a new instrument. I also got to make new friends in this awesome program. It was really fun to hear cool sounds from the musical instruments. It is so cool to make fun beats and songs from these steelpan drums. The instructors are also really fun to learn with and I always felt included.”
- Param Shah, Student. Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School
“One of the many things I enjoyed about the program was the fact that everybody in the program always included, and no one ever got left out, which is one of the many great things about extra curricular.”
- Anonymous, Student. Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School
“The first day I walked into the cafeteria to attend my first ever steelpan drum meeting, I was kindly and enthusiastically greeted by Zaynab, also known as the nicest human being alive. Honestly, I have never met someone nearly as caring as her. She is the reason my time in the steelpan drum [club] was enjoyable. She never gets mad and has the impressive ability to teach while the annoying non-synchronized music is being played, which would instantly cause an explosion in my brain while trying to use my weak human voice trying to suppress the noises of the {steel}pans. The snack and juice were delicious, which was also another thing that created an excitement in attending meetings, although that didn’t give me any necessary energy since the presence of Zaynab already [gave] me enthusiasm and interest to learn. I believe that what defines the steelpan drum club experience is the interaction and the relationship between the teachers and the students. The songs are honestly never difficult to learn or play, practice is crucial and was the only thing required to perfect playing skills. It’s the way the teacher [gets] us to practice that made the performance of songs flawless. Zaynab is one of those rare teachers who isn’t accompanied with an appearance of a teacher, which made it possible for students to interact with [her] as if they were friends. There wasn’t a need to specifically focus and pay attention to not disrespecting the teacher as a student (as with other teachers) since we [were] like friends and we just naturally respect each other; they teach, I listen.”
- Kenneth, Student. Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School