What is Matrix Arts Centre?

Matrix Arts Centre is a charity based in Sutton Courtney, South Oxfordshire, which is the home of music lessons for children, covering keyboard skills, dance, art, and other individual instrumental lessons. Dating back over 30 years, Matrix Arts Centre is founded and run by Lindsay MacKenzie, and prides itself on its welcoming and caring approach to teaching. The Centre uses the Yamaha Music School Education System.

 

What is the Yamaha Music School system?

Yamaha is a Japanese company, which has been developing their teaching system for over 50 years. Throughout this time, over 5 million students have received lessons from more than 18,000 teachers at over 4,500 locations globally. Students are able to begin their musical education from the age of 2, through the Apple Music Programme, in which children have the opportunity to learn to appreciate music in an engaging way, involving storytelling, singing, playing instruments, and dancing. At 4 or 5, children can begin the Junior Music Course, which begins to teach its students basic keyboard skills. After advancing through the various courses, finishing with the Advanced Extension Course, students complete the Yamaha system having studied both music in depth in both a practical and theoretical way. A combination of ensemble group lessons and individual lessons allow students to develop their own skills on piano, whilst also learning how to play as part of a group. 

 

What else is available at Matrix?

Aside from keyboard lessons, Matrix also holds art classes for both Key Stages 2 and 3, and Ballet classes. It’s concert hall regularly hosts recitals and concerts, which provide local people with the opportunity to come and hear immensely talented musicians playing live in a small and comfortable space. For example, on Sunday 28th April, The Carpathians, a big band including, brass, wind, and voice, which plays a wide variety of music, from popular styes, to those written especially for the band.

 

What events are coming up?

On Saturday 6th July, Matrix will hold it’s annual Barn Dance in the Courtyard, which is always sure to be a delight. Complete with live musicians, and food and drinks, much fun is to be had by all the family, and is certainly not to be missed!