For many people, and especially parents, September, not January, is the beginning of a new year. If you’re the parent of an infant to 4-year-old, you might be interested in learning about Rainbow Songs to start off your “new year.”
Rainbow Songs is a Toronto-based family business owned and founded by musician Mike Whitla. There are now 16 locations, one of them at St. Cuthbert’s Church at 1399 Bayview Ave. and taking place on Wednesday mornings.
Rainbow Songs provides a joyful early entry to music for younger children. Most locations provide classes for those aged 0-1, 1-2 and 2-4 and their caregivers, with 45-minute sessions. With a maximum class size of 13 children, Rainbow Songs offers a personalized experience.
The combination of small classes, a local location and once-a-week scheduling often encourages parents and caregivers to make neighbourhood connections that continue outside the weekly outing.
Joanna Kellam, the instructor at St. Cuthbert’s on Wednesday mornings, has been with Rainbow Songs here and at some of their other locations for 11 years. She received her professional training at the Randolph School of the Arts, as well as an additional intensive training course to be a Rainbow Songs teacher, learning how to manage a class and lead classic children’s songs. She also works with Solar Stage Children’s Theatre and runs a classical concert series for kids.
Classes continued during the summer, taking advantage of the shady space on the church green. Volunteers working in the church garden nearby found themselves with Rainbow Songs earworms thanks to listening to Joanna and her guitar leading the children’s voices.
While Mike started the business nearly three decades ago, in 1999, it took a few years before choosing the current business name. The St. Cuthbert’s location joined the fold in 2005.
All business arrangements are handled by General Manager Rachel Bokhout, who takes care of all the admin, contracts, scheduling and marketing. One of Rainbow Songs’ best marketing tools is the referral system. Word-of-mouth brings many families to the business. Those doing the referring can obtain discounts on classes or a cash incentive. Families can also arrange for Rainbow Songs to organize a birthday celebration.
