About Us
Our Story
Founded in Toronto in 2006 by Annie McDonald and Michael Johnston, McDonald Johnston Music Studio (MJMS) provides a wide range of music lessons to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
MJMS teaches and celebrates music rooted in traditions of diverse Canadian communities. We are comfortable working in many musical styles: folk, pop, jazz, classical, blues, rock, country, indie, and RCM.
MJMS started with a handful of students taking lessons from Michael in our Toronto apartment in 2006.
From 2007 – 2010, hundreds of students came to our home studio for lessons on piano, guitar, accordion, voice, songwriting, recording, and theory.
In September 2010, we opened our music school on Roncesvalles Avenue with four dedicated teaching rooms and space for our March Break and summer music camps.
We began offering in-home lessons in Toronto’s West End in 2015, and in 2018, a new chapter began for MJMS as we moved into our largest space yet, a brand-new renovated studio HQ at 2176 Dundas Street West, Toronto.
Beginning in 2020 MJMS is proud to offer virtual lessons so you can safely learn with us wherever you are.
In the spring of 2021, we officially changed our name to McDonald Johnston Music Studio Inc - still MJMS, for short! - to reflect our 15 years of business partnership.
Our wonderful community of instructors and students, neighbours and friends motivate and inspire us daily.
We love what we do!
What Our Students Are Saying
“Lessons with Michael far exceeded my expectations. His gift of fusing the rudiments of musical theory with joy and spontaneity is refreshing.”
— Tom, Adult Student
“I have to say I’ve been quite impressed with how quickly and smoothly you guys have made the paradigm shift to remote lessons. I can only imagine how much work it’s been, and it’s very much appreciated. At first I thought it would just be a stop-gap measure and a bit of a novelty, but it seems like this may become the new normal. Kudos to all of you for blazing the trail, and doing it with such a positive attitude.”
— Peter, Parent
“I wanted you to know what a huge success that first online lesson was for my child this past Monday. He was so happy afterwards!! I can’t thank you enough. The other aspect of what you’re doing (that is such a magical side effect of the music lesson) is that it gives him contact with someone he really cares about.” :)
— Kerry, Parent
“My daughter has been a student of MJMS for the past five years. She has studied vocal, guitar, piano and other instruments with a variety of wonderful teachers and musicians who have really inspired her. It has been an extraordinary experience for her and I have watched her grow in confidence as a musician and performer. MJMS is a place for people who love music.”
— Sheilagh, Parent
“We most certainly are grateful for what you have given to each of our girls and brought to our family and home – a place where the music and the singing never stops!!”
— Brigeen, Parent