Brenden Benoit is excited to be welcoming students to Sona Music and Audio Services in Clearwater in what was the former Clearwater Times office. It will be opening the week of Nov. 20 following some renovations that included the addition of a soundproof space with plans to continue even more improvements.
“We have one room soundproofed, and we will be working on further soundproofing the other two classrooms. The lessons we offer right now are piano, guitar, drums, voice, and we will be working in production in recording digitally. We aren’t limited to private only and will offer semiprivate and group classes.” says Benoit.
The new music studio will be offering “numerous masterclasses and clinics” in the valley as well as hosting special guest performers while working closely with community groups like Wells Gray Lively Arts, local schools and non-profits.
Benoit’s wife, Amber is the Tourism Wells Gray executive director, and the couple is expecting their second baby in February. The young family love living in the North Thompson and have big dreams in contributing to the growth of further music education for all ages.
“Within the next five years we hope to be providing jobs to other students who hope to become teachers in the music field. We are also hoping to provide opportunities for acts and musicians coming through.” A main goal for Sona will be to “jump start” the music programs within the school systems and elsewhere “throughout the North Thompson Valley” while reminding the public why music is such an important aspect of personal growth and fulfillment. Benoit says, “We are very happy to be filling that void and hoping to create some great partnerships through funded programs offered in the province eventually.”
The new multi-studio music academy has already begun discussions with groups like Wells Gray Lively Arts and the North Thompson Arts Council. For now, the music instructor has mainly concentrated on school programs with Raft River Elementary and Clearwater Secondary School along with working with the District of Clearwater’s healthy living program.
Along with his passion for music Benoit is also an Aikido instructor and enthusiast. Aikido is a non-competitive martial art that utilizes movement and timing to neutralize attacks without relying on physical size or strength. “Our dojo is open on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Centennial Hall which is in the Clearwater ‘flats’ in the former Improvement District building and under the direction of our sensei, Myrna Harrod-Taniguti. This year the kids’ programs have exploded, and we are still looking to recruit more students for the adult classes in Aikido.”
Sona Music will be booking lessons with three instructors currently, voice and drum lessons will be conducted by Benoit, Allison Oviatt will be teaching piano and Andy Leese will be teaching guitar as a well known local solo guitarist.
“We will be looking for additional instructors with some teaching experience here and there and through the next few years I will be developing programs to help train students who would like to learn to be a music teacher one day as well which in turn will add to the job market here,” says Benoit.
To contact Sona Music serving the North Thompson Valley from Barriere to Blue River, for more info, they welcome all inquiries anytime at: 778-886-1676 or email: sonaclearwater@gmail.com
