Emma Ellison
Founder & Managing Director
17 years in the field
Education
Music and art lessons for children and adults
Extexttra is a Canadian music and art studio where beginners and returning learners find patient teaching, flexible scheduling and a genuinely welcoming room to make mistakes in. Whether your child is picking up their first violin or you're finally learning the piano after years of putting it off, we help you start at the right level and move forward with confidence.
What we teach and how lessons work
We offer private and group instruction in music and visual art for all ages, from curious five-year-olds to adults returning to a childhood hobby. Lessons are structured but never rigid — teachers adapt pace, repertoire and projects to each student's goals, whether that's exam preparation, performing at a recital or simply playing songs you love.
- One-on-one music lessons in piano, guitar, violin, voice and more
- Small group classes for children who learn well alongside peers
- Drawing and painting instruction covering fundamentals through personal projects
- Studio recitals and showcases to perform in a supportive setting
- Beginner-friendly tracks for adults with no prior experience
By the numbers
79%clients who come back
20specialists on the team
99%client satisfaction
5,950+clients served
Guides to help you get started
Choosing an instrument, understanding how children progress, or deciding between group and private lessons can feel overwhelming at first. Our plain-language guides walk you through the practical decisions so you arrive at your first lesson knowing what to expect. Read them whether you're a parent planning for a child or an adult taking the leap yourself.
How to choose your first instrument
A beginner's guide to choosing the right first instrument based on age, goals and interests, so you start music lessons with confidence.
Music lessons for children: a parent's guide
What to expect from children's music lessons, the right age to start and how structured classes build confidence and skill over time.
Learning music as an adult beginner
It's never too late to start. Learn how adult beginners can take up an instrument, set realistic goals and enjoy steady progress.
Group classes vs private lessons: which is right?
Compare group classes and private lessons for music and art, including cost, pace and social benefits, to choose the best fit for you.
Preparing for a recital with confidence
How recitals work and how to prepare, from practice routines to managing nerves, so students perform at their best.
Getting started with art lessons
A guide to beginning art lessons for children and adults, including what mediums to try first and what structured classes cover.
Meet the team
A small, senior team — you speak to the same people from the first call to the final handover.
Oliver Barlow
Customer Success Manager
14 years in the field
Laura Harper
Quality Manager
12 years in the field
Why families and adults choose Extexttra
Extexttra is run by working musicians and artists who teach because they love passing the craft on, not because they're between gigs. Our editorial content is written and reviewed by instructors with real classroom and performance experience, and we only recommend approaches we actually use with our own students. We keep our advice honest and free of hype — no promises of overnight results, just steady, well-supported progress. Parents appreciate that we treat beginners with patience and adults as capable learners who deserve a serious program.
Practical resources for students and families
Beyond lessons, we share tools to keep learning on track between sessions. These are the same checklists and tips our teachers hand out, gathered in one place so students and parents can reference them anytime.
- A first-instrument comparison to help narrow your options
- A practice-at-home routine for children and busy adults
- A recital preparation checklist covering the weeks before a performance
- A beginner's art supply list for drawing and painting
- Questions to ask when choosing a music or art class
Trusted by
Lumline
Kerora
Miranova
Gravstead
Extexttra is a Canadian music and art studio where beginners and returning learners find patient teaching, flexible scheduling and a genuinely welcoming room to make mistakes in.
Ready to start your music or art journey?
Whether it's for your child or for yourself, we'll help you choose the right program and get started with confidence.