About
Through private lessons and enrichment activities offered year-round, we take pride in fostering creativity, sensitivity, and a deep appreciation for music.
Our Story
Founded in 1963 by Jean Lyons (1921-2005), the Jean Lyons School of Music is Vancouver's longest-established music school. Known as a brilliant teacher and renowned for her theory books, Miss Lyons created an environment where students thrived both musically and personally.
Her vision was to provide music education within an environment that nurtured enjoyment, appreciation, and personal growth, which became the foundation of the School's enduring success.
Born in Vancouver and raised in Powell River, Miss Lyons knew she wanted to dedicate her life to music from the age of ten. She earned her A.T.C.M. and L.R.S.M. in Toronto under renowned composers, pianists, and teachers, including Healey Willan, Sir Ernest MacMillan, and Alberto Guerrero.
Miss Lyons emphasized more than just piano lessons—she encouraged musical enrichment and social engagement through classes and performance opportunities.
Miss Lyons championed Canadian music, less-performed composers, and composition. One of her most notable students, Alexina Louie, went on to become one of Canada’s preeminent composers.
Louie regards Miss Lyons as a pivotal figure in her life, saying, “She had a way of asking the best of you, and you wanted to live up to her standards.”
In addition to her teaching, Miss Lyons was a highly active volunteer in the music community, with organizations such as the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festivals, the Vancouver Women’s Musical Society (now the Vancouver Westcoast Music Society), and helped to establish the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Music Competition. She encouraged community service among her teachers, which continues to this day.
Today, with a team of dedicated teachers, the School continues to offer high-quality instruction in a warm, community-focused environment. For over 60 years, students at the Jean Lyons School of Music have learned music and built lasting connections and life skills.
Miss Lyons has published eight books on Rudiments, Harmony, History and Analysis of Music. Her impressive biography appears in the International Who's Who in Music.
