Alexander Doan School of Music

September, 2026 Newsletter

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Alexander Doan

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WELCOME BACK!!!!!!

Ok, so we didn’t really go anywhere considering lessons still continue through the summer months, but we are sooooo back for our monthly newsletter, and holy moly is this ever a big one!!!! Sooooo much awesome news in our first one to kick off year 4!!! Yes, it’s the official start of year 4 for the Alexander Doan School Of Music!. It’s honestly amazing that we are now starting year 4. As I’m writing this, I just can’t believe how much my life has changed since I returned to the Niagara Region in 2023. I returned to teaching music, relaunched my business here, student enrollment is full, multiple awards and of course, Sue! As I’ve told many people recently, I’ve finally won life. Sue and I had a wonderful summer. In June, Sue and her mother travelled to Alaska for a one week Alaskan Cruise, sailing as far as Skagway after departing from Vancouver, and in August, Sue and I were in Montreal for a weekend for a friend’s wedding. In addition, we spent many weekends at a lovely little beach in Fort Erie, and our summer excitement reached it’s peak last weekend with an incredible milestone for us, but more on that in the newsletter (hmmm, I wonder what it could be?). Hearing about everyone’s vacations through the summer is always a highlight for me, as is hearing from the kids about the first week of school. And just like last year, the summer lessons consisted of intial prepping for this year’s recital. I’m very excited about the recital this year. All of the students are pretty much ready, with only some minor tweaks needing to be finalized. We have tons to get through, so let’s not waste anymore time. Here’s what we have for our September, 2026 newsletter…..

  • REMINDER – 2026 Annual Alexander Doan School of Music Student Recital Announcement
  • Canadian Choice Award and Reader’s Choice Award Nominations
  • New Schedule
  • Payments Thank You
  • Alex and Sue’s Engagement!!
  • Student Of The Month

REMINDER – 2026 Annual Alexander Doan School of Music Student Recital Announcement

Here’s another reminder for some of our new students of our Annual Student Recital that was announced at the start of May, including the FAQ’s that were answered…..

  • Event: 2026 Annual Alexander Doan School of Music Student Recital
  • Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
  • Time: 1pm-3pm
  • Where: St. Andrew’s United Church, 5645 Morrison Street, Niagara Falls

F.A.Q.’s

Is it mandatory that I, or my child(ren), perform at the recital? No, it is not mandatory, however, it is strongly encouraged. I’m very proud of each of my students and it’s important to showcase what the students have been working on and let’s be honest, parents love to take pictures! And for my adult and retired students, I encourage you to perform as well. Many of my young students are always surprised to find out that an adult takes music lessons with me. Many of them are surprised and think only kids do. I think it would be great for them to see you perform as well. It can be very inspiring to a young musician.

Why October? As we did last year, the decision was made for our annual recitals to take place in October. The sanctuary at the church, where the recital is being held, does not have air conditioning. I didn’t want everyone to have to deal with the heat at the end of June, so I picked a time that would be more pleasant and before the winter weather hits. Also, it gives me more time with each student to prepare music over the summer months to perform, especially for those whom have just recently started studying with me. I’ll start focusing on recital pieces with students towards the end of June/beginning of July.

Why Niagara Falls? The school is an officially registered Niagara Falls business, so it makes sense. Also, Niagara Falls is more centered on tourism, so having an event like this, even though its only for us, I feel can contribute to the arts here somehow.

Do the piano students need to bring a keyboard, or are you providing a rental? Neither. This was the icing on the cake. The church is once again allowing us full use of their beautiful Grand Piano!! I’m so excited that our piano students are going to have this opportunity again!

Are you still planning on doing a Toy Drive? Yes. Last year we filled two donation bins and I have no doubt that we can do that again this year. The church takes donations for slightly used or new toys and the church will be providing the donation bins again. They do sell the toys (at a very low cost) at their events, but all of the proceeds go to charitable causes and not for profit. They did assure me of this last year and it will be no different this year.

Are you affiliated with the church? I am not. When I was first planning our annual recitals I had a list of items that were important to me for picking a venue. Safety, good acoustics, a place we can return to for future recitals and for me to build a business relationship with, resonable associated costs, etc. These were just a few on my wish list. Having a piano was never a major concern as I was planning on renting an 88-key digital keyboard for us. I was so happy about the use of the grand piano and with all the other wish list items being met, it was pretty obvious where we were going and were going to continue to go. I also used to compete at the church as a clarinet soloist in regional competitions when I was in highschool, so I was somewhat familiar with the location and remembered that they rented spaces for music events.

How many songs am I allowed to perform? At the moment, students can only select one song to perform. I have over 30 students. During the summer months, as students choose the songs they want to perform, I might be able to allow the combination of two short pieces into one, but I won’t know that until I know the timing of each piece selected. I’m expecting some overlapping of song choices with some students, however I promise I’m going to make sure we don’t end up with everyone playing the same song and have variety, just as we had last year.

I’m one of your clarinet or saxophone students. Will I need a piano player to accompany me? No.

I’ve never performed in front of people. I’m scared to do it or to make a mistake. It’s ok to be nervous. I still get nervous at times when I’ve performed. Just like last year, I will be right beside you if you want me to be, and it’s ok to make a mistake. You see me do it sometimes when I’m demonstrating a new song for you. And I’ll let you in on a secret…Nobody in the audience will know. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.

Canadian Choice Award and Reader’s Choice Award Nominations

In August, I sent out emails to announce that the school is officially nominated for the 2026/27 Canadian Choice Award and the 2026 Reader’s Choice Award. I know I’ve asked many times over the past year for nominations and votes for other awards that we have won. We wouldn’t have received those awards without your help. I know I just recently asked for votes again for the Readers’ Choice Awards for this year, and some of you might not want to do more voting for us. I understand that, but if there is only one award this year that you want to help us win, please let it be the Canadian Choice Award. This is the big one!! Voting information for both awards is below.

2026/27 CANADIAN CHOICE AWARD INFORMATION

We are extremely proud and excited to announce that Alexander Doan School Of Music has been officially accepted as a nominee for the 2027 Canadian Choice Award! What is the Canadian Choice Award? The award is a Canada wide award that recognizes small and medium size businesses at a national level. Each community/city is represented across the country and businesses are placed into their respective categories. There are 4 stages for becoming a Canadian Choice Award winner, culminating with a black tie awards gala celebration in Toronto every year. The 4 stages are: Nominations, Official Nominees, Top 3 Finalists and Winners.

WE HAVE BEEN NOMINATED IN THE MUSIC SCHOOLS CATEGORY FOR NIAGARA FALLS!!!!

Now, the real work begins, and we need YOUR help!!!!!! In order to be selected as an ‘Official Nominee’, we are asking for your support by voting for us through an easy nomination process.

How To Vote/Nominate Alexander Doan School Of Music

  • Go to this link https://canadianchoiceaward.ca/nominations/?shareurl=Fm4z7cJRSK-3ZfKlOAZ_ OR click on the image below to be taken to our nomination page.
  • Enter your information details (First name, Last name, Email) into the fields provided, then click ‘Send Verification Code’. A verification code will then be sent to the email you provided.
  • Enter the verification code you received in your email into the Verify field provided on the nomination page. In the Relation To The Business section, please choose either Customer or Other (if you are family/friends). The business details will automatically fill in. Scroll down and click on ‘Submit Nomination’. You will then be provided with a link to our nomination page that you can use to share with others via email or your social media accounts. Please do so.

2026 READER’S CHOICE AWARD INFORMATION

The nominations for the 2026 Reader’s Choice Awards are now open, and we’ve made it into the FINAL VOTING stages!!!!  As you recall, we won in 2025 for both categories that we were nominated in, thanks to your votes.  This year, we have been nominated again in the categories for ‘Best Music Instruction’ and ‘Best Music Instructor’.  This year, they are doing the voting a little different.  Only the top 5 businesses move to the final voting stage, so now all votes count more than ever.  And, this year you will need to sign in for the initial voting, unlike last year where you only needed to login for the final votes.  You can use your Google account to sign it (completely safe) or create a Free account.  If you voted for us through all the stages last year, you probably already have an account.  Here’s how to vote for us this year:

  •  Follow this link to be sent to the Niagara Region voting in the Arts, Culture and Entertainment section https://best-businesses.thereaderschoice.ca/o/niagara-falls/readers-choice-2026-voting
  • Scroll down to the ‘Best Music Instruction’ section to make your selection
  • Scroll down to the ‘Best Music Instructor’ section to make your selection
  • Deadline: Nominations close on September 25th
  • REMINDER – you will need to login to do the voting this year.  You can create a Free one or use your Google account (safely) to login.

New Schedule

As there is every year with the kids returning to the school classroom, there are always some schedule changes for music lessons because of extra curricular activites. Thank you very much to all of the parents who worked with me in regards to any schedule changes that needed to be made to. With the changes, I am now teaching a little later into the evenings most days, with no downtime. What does this mean for make up lessons now? When needed, make up lessons will be scheduled for a Sunday at a later time. I currently have both Saturday and Sunday off now, but will open up certain Sunday’s for make up lessons. I will inform everyone as to when I’m opening a Sunday for make up lessons, and as always, I will try to accomodate you as best I can if a Sunday doesn’t work for you.

Payments Thank You

I wanted to take a quick moment to thank everyone for recently ensuring that payments are made on time every month, in regards to the email that was sent out in August. Your support, once again, is very much appreciated and having payments on time again has now removed any cause for concern. Thank you again. 🙂

Alex and Sue’s Engagement!!

I’m not going to lie…I’m sitting here with the biggest smile on my face because I get to officially announce this to students and parents.

On Saturday, September 12th, SUE AND I GOT ENGAGED!!!!!

This has honestly been the best week of my life, and I think I can speak for Sue by saying the same. It’s been absolutely amazing for us. I proposed in Niagara-On-The-Lake in the morning at our favourite spot (No, not the gazeebo) and the weather was perfect. This was followed by visits to both of our parent’s homes, and both of her brothers. Saturday evening the two of us enjoyed a wonderful celebration dinner at The Keg in St. Catharines (the head chef even came out to congratulate us) and Sunday I took us to the Butterfly Conservatory after a full day of phone calls, video calls, and messages from family members and friends. To top off the weekend, while at the Butterfly Conservatory, a butterfly flew down and landed right on Sue’s engagement ring and we later learned of the importance of that happening (represents the transition for a couple from dating towards marriage, and also represents loved ones that have passed on, giving you their blessing). Thanks to those who have congratulated us and who have also been patient as I’ve teared up telling the story when I’ve arrived for lessons (yup, I’m a softy). And to Ivy and Kendall, Sue says thank you so much for the video message you did for her to congratulate her. Here’s a few pictures from our wonderful engagement weekend. Oh, and no, we haven’t set a date yet…LOL

Student Of The Month

Ari – Student Of The Month – September, 2026.

Our Student Of The Month for September, 2026 is, Ari!!!!!

Ari is one of my many piano students and has been studying from the Faber Piano Adventures series of books. In addition to studying the piano, Ari is also involved in taekwondo, dance, biking and when I first met him, he shared an admiraton of Star Wars!! Ari has also been busy working on his performance piece for the October recital this year, where he will be performing Dvorak’s ‘New World Symphony’!!

Ari received his framed Student Of The Month certificate, and is featured in this months newsletter as well as on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, and on the school website when the newsletter is posted there.

Congrats, Ari!!

Coda

That’s a wrap on our ‘Back To School’ newsletter!! I hope everyone has had a great couple of weeks being back at school, and thank you to everyone for your continues support regarding award voting, payments, friendships, and most recently, the excitement regarding mine and Sue’s engagement.

And, to my beautiful ‘bride-to-be’ who I know is reading this: Thank you for your continued love and support regarding my job and everything you do. Beside every good man is an even greater woman, and I have the best one. 🙂

See you in your lessons!

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