Experienced music and arts facilitator Lauren Best is offering individual lessons and coaching as part of broader endeavours as Best Practice Arts. Private music and multi-arts instruction will compliment a range of other services including group classes, workshops, and consulting.

Best moved back to Owen Sound in 2015 after years of training and working in community arts in Toronto, where she had relocated to release her debut album. "I love coaching people to help them grow their individual skills and interests, and over the years I have found it very rewarding to teach music lessons to beginners of all ages," says Best. "I hope to provide under one banner not only individual learning but also group experiences and other services, focusing on music and multi-arts as a way for people of all walks of life to have fun and experience the benefits of music and creativity." Since returning to the area, Best has worked with local organizations such as Sheatre and Sandcastle Theatre.

Private and semi-private lessons will be held in Owen Sound and Meaford. In Meaford, lessons will take place at the Meaford Artisan's Hub. "The HUB is a natural place for arts-based learning to occur", says Nadia Mear, HUB co-founder. "While receiving music lessons at the HUB with Lauren, youth and people of all ages are able to become familiar with the space and engaged with the arts. It encourages them to continue to be involved in the local arts community."

Lessons in piano, voice, songwriting, performance, and other studies including digital media will be available to everyone from preschoolers to retirees. Personalized instruction emphasizes healthy and technically sound performance with opportunities for creative expression and individual growth.

In Owen Sound, in addition to individual lessons there will be a drop-in Family Music Monday program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers. Every Monday at 10:15 am, this pay-what-you-choose program will take place in the Frog Ponds Cafe side room. Young children, babies, and their parents, grandparents or caregivers are invited to have fun making music together as they sing and learn in a supportive group.

Best Practice Arts will offer a range of workshops and classes in response to community interest and need. Programs offered include HealthRhythms group recreational drumming, as well as singing/percussion wellness groups. Along with other classes, the group drumming programs offered will be based upon the HealthRHYTHMS® protocol developed from medical research that shows the health benefits of drumming with a group, including stress reduction, mood improvement and a boost to the immune system.

A 2014 graduate of the comprehensive HealthRHYTHMS training, Best credits the program with providing people from all walks of life opportunities for self-expression and experiencing the benefits of music. Best also completed the Artist-Educator Professional Training Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music with the designations of Mentor/Lead Artist, and went on to become RCM faculty. Her work included curriculum development, leading workshops/classes/camps, and teacher training/mentorship. Lauren's interest in using neuroscience findings creatively was highlighted in her work with the RCM's new early childhood learning program "SmartStart InterArts", which is based on using music and multiple art forms to develop cognitive skills using both arts and cognitive science best practices.

For registration and more information email [email protected]

source: media release, Best Practice Arts