SJMA

Saint James Music Academy (SJMA) is a community-based after school program providing high quality classical music education to children living in and around Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Through our orchestras, choirs, music therapy programs, and so much more, students from grade 2 to grade 12 experience the joys and challenges of learning music together – and of playing an important part in something beautiful that is larger than themselves.

The story of SJMA began with one person determined to give children a better chance in life. When cuts to public school funding meant that Vancouver’s inner-city children had limited or no access to quality music education, long-time Downtown Eastside area resident Kathryn Walker decided to do something about it. She began a two-year process of building alliances and support in the community for a music academy that would not only teach music but use music as a means of reversing the negative social forces that neighbourhood children commonly face. SJMA opened its doors in September, 2007 with 45 enrollments. Since then, the Academy has grown rapidly each year, touching the lives of many hundreds of children.
At its heart, SJMA remains the grassroots community organization of our founding fourteen years ago. Through the success of many people coming together: teachers and volunteers, parents and staff, and a wide network of donors and friends, the children continue to grow and learn, transforming our own hearts in the process.
To volunteer with us you don’t have to be musicians you just need to have the passion to be around kids and love to help.
OUR impact is YOUR impact and together we are helping children build a musical life for themselves.

WE PLAY MUSIC FOR CHANGE IN 5 KEY AREAS

LIFE SKILLS

Music is our means to teach kids vital social and other life skills.

WELL-BEING

We nurture the whole person: food for the body, music for the soul, each other for human connection.

HAPPINESS

Music is a gateway to joy. As children grow in self-esteem and overcome barriers, they experience the ineffable but real beauty of life itself.

EDUCATION

Music develops the intellect, including in literacy and math.

COMMUNITY-MINDEDNESS

Choirs and orchestras are microcosms of community life where kids learn they are a vital part of a larger whole.
Looking forward to hear from you and grow together.