Canadian National Conservatory of Music

Our History
Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music “Helping shape Canada’s vast musical landscape”

Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music has become a national conservatory with students and teachers across Canada. In February 2002, Debra Wanless called like -minded colleagues to help her initiate a much needed new national music conservatory. The CNCM mandate is to support and nurture the composition, study and performance of Canadian music in a holistic and all encompassing program of study. The first goal of CNCM was to create a Piano Pedagogy Licentiate Diploma, as the founding members found that the training and examination of piano teaching specialists in Canada was lacking in comprehensive and depth of knowledge programs. Since that time, the response from the music community, teachers, parents and students has been overwhelming; so much so, that it was decided to initiate other programs.

CNCM was the first conservatory to offer a Primary/Elementary Pedagogy Diploma in piano. This assists candidates in developing strong pedagogy skills and serves as a firm foundation for all new teachers. Launched in 2003, the curriculum is a five credit program combined with an additional forty hours of observation time with an experienced teacher. CNCM provides the Primary/Elementary candidate with valuable resources through four different pedagogy handbooks. CNCM is the only school to offer an Early Childhood Pedagogy Diploma, Associate Diploma by credit in piano pedagogy, Licentiate Diploma, and two Fellowships in piano pedagogy.

The Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music Teacher’s Associate Diploma in Piano Pedagogy by credit is a new approach in conservatory examination assessment. Students and teachers who are leading busy lives can opt to take this curriculum in twelve separate credits. Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music is proud to offer a Licentiate Diploma in Piano Pedagogy, the first of its kind in Canada. This diploma will present the successful candidate with a program of extensive study including research, pedagogy and piano performance skills. Junior and Senior Fellowship Diplomas in Piano Pedagogy are also offered by CNCM. These diplomas will offer the successful candidate a program of further extensive study. The Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory’s examination program is designed to offer thorough training, flexibility, creativity and choice for both the student and the teacher.