Our Story
Arcadia Academy of Music is a family owned and operated franchised system founded by Carmine Di Rauso in 1984. Three generations later, Arcadia Academy of Music continues to be a leader as one of the largest franchised music schools in Ontario. Recognized by the industry for its quality, Arcadia Academy of Music has received many accolades and awarded numerous industry awards.
The Arcadia Academy of Music concept is simple yet effective – providing a personalized approach to delivering music education programs through quality and vision. This concept amalgamated with honesty, integrity and transparency has provided our longevity for the last 30 years. We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to be exposed to music, enriching their lives inside and outside the classroom and delivering music programs that revolutionize the way music is taught and learned.
Innovative and forward-thinking, Arcadia Academy of Music boasts three unique programs: Core Program (Royal Conservatory of Music and Arcadia Academy of Music curriculums focused courses), Contemporary Program (student driven and performance-based curriculums) and Specialized Program (Band, Composition, Digital Audio Production, Audition Preparation, Improvisation courses of College/University standards). Our curriculums are designed by the some of the best music educators who also happen to be influential musicians in the industry.
We recognize the importance of music education and actively pursue every beneficial opportunity that would increase the quality of our music programs at Arcadia Academy of Music. We want our students to receive the best possible tutelage to ensure that when they step into the music industry as an active employee, they possess an edge over their competition. Our faculty across all Arcadia Academy of Music franchises comprises versatile, talented and educated individuals with worldly experience and a passion to inspire and educate students.
We also foster a philanthropically driven environment at Arcadia Academy of Music bringing together our staff, faculty, students and community members to inspire and motivate through creativity and support of charitable endeavours. Hence, our students are not only educated to become leading musicians in the industry by means of our superlative curriculums alone but leading musicians with great character and values through community building.
Arcadia Academy of Music will continue to grow and foster an environment tuned to the sounds of children providing enriching music programs to the leaders of tomorrow.
Click here to read full feature on City Life Magazine.
Market Opportunities
Ajax | Barrie | Guelph | Hamilton | Kingston | Kitchener | London | Markham | Milton | Mississauga | Oshawa | Ottawa | Peterborough | Pickering | Sudbury | Toronto | Whitby | Brantford | Cambridge
Where we are.
Want to meet with us?
Debbie Daniel
Director, Franchising & Real Estate
e: debbie@arcadiamusicacademy.com
c: (647) 234-2363
Thank you for your interest in our one-of-a-kind franchise opportunity, and we look forward to speaking with you and hopefully meeting with you on a more personal level. Should you join our team, you as a Franchisee will have comfort in knowing that our role is ongoing, from visitations to recommendations for improvement, as well as problem-solving and continuous support. We believe that it is only with the combined efforts of all parties that a franchise relationship can be successfully established and flourish.
The Industry
Benefits of Music Education
Exposing young people to music education offers the additional benefit of increasing their appreciation for the creative process. Over the past several years, we have witnessed a material erosion in the respect accorded to the creative process by society at large. We believe gaps in music education have contributed to this and that plugging those gaps and restoring music education to its former pride of place will also play a role in restoring respect for creators and their creations. Due to the contribution that music education makes to a highly skilled, innovative workforce, and the creation of vibrant scenes that attract creative employees and employers alike, this report recommends that private music education initiatives be matched by an increased public commitment.
Through research, it has been deduced that the link between music and economic success also demonstrates that music education is an important contributing factor to national and individual economic success. As the Canadian Music Education Research Cooperative has noted, “[e]very person in society participates in music-making or consumerism of music to a significant degree, and music education holds a pivotal position in ensuring the future creation of new artists, genres, and informed responders. While healthy music programs are essential to the continuation of a dynamic and vital society, music education serves to educate and support creators of, performers and responders to music. In addition its importance of societal health and well-being, the arts industry represents a significant component of the Canadian economy and the role that music education plays in maintaining the arts is vital.
Music education’s benefits have long been a subject of interest among neuroscientists and psychologists, and music has been credited with a variety of positive effects on children’s brains. Many studies have been conducted on the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument and the effects of music on critical thinking, spatial reasoning and cognitive development.
Sources: Canadian Music Education Research Cooperative, Music Education in Canada: What is the State of the Art
The New Economic Competitiveness
More and more people are building a lifestyle around their creative experiences, and as creativity plays a larger role in our day-to-day lives, these experiences become more valued. Thus, the economic benefits of the arts extend beyond the traditional economic factors. The ability to maintain creativity and innovation requires access to a vibrant cultural environment. There have been many studies that have documented the benefits of exposure to different from of arts, and they generally conclude that, as one of the studies states: “people cannot create when they work and live in a culturally sterile environment”. Communities that offer a wide variety of cultural amenities are more likely to attract quality workers. Businesses, too, are starting to recognize the value of an investment in the arts, and more specifically in music. Thus, they often aim to create an office environment that includes music space, aiming not only to influence how their employees work, but also give them a place and chance to unwind.
“Successful communities are those that are multidimensional and diverse; in addition to offering employment that offer a wide range of lifestyle amenities and a climate that encourages and cultivates creative expression. Cultural offerings such as music are a strong draw for creative workers…a flourishing arts scene seems to suggest a region values and supports creativity in all its forms – technological and economic as well as artistic and cultural”
There is growing understanding that the connection between the arts and the economy and a significant body of statistics has been published regarding the economic impact of Canada’s creative industries. For instance, during the first decade of this millennium, the creative cluster, music included, has emerged as a major and a growing source of GDP for Ontario. The creative industries in Ontario generate $12.2 billion in GDP for Ontario’s economy annually and are number one in Canada by GDP. The creative cluster not only contributes to Ontario’s economic, social and culturally well-being today, but it has the potential to grow at a significant pace in the near future.
FAQ
Why Arcadia?
- At Arcadia, we understand the power of music. Music is everywhere. As all forms of technology evolve, the enrichment of sound in every device is an integral part of the evolution of technology. As fast as music evolves, so does Arcadia. As we understand this to be a necessity in educating our students, we must be able to relate. Our methods, programs, systems, franchise owners and instructors alike, not only understand, but are fully equipped to deliver this message.
What is the Initial Franchise Fee?
- The Initial Franchise Fee is $30,000
What is the Advertising Fee?
- The Advertising Fee is 2% of gross sales, paid monthly
What amount of liquid capital must be available to acquire an Arcadia Franchise?
- The unencumbered liquid capital amount ranges from $100,000 – $125,000 and includes Franchise Fee, Pre-Opening Expenses, Working Capital, Inventory, applicable taxes, etc.
Is there an opportunity in my area?
- At present, Arcadia has eight schools in operation in ON. Please see Market Opportunities for a listing of available markets.
What type of training does Arcadia offer?
- Operating an Arcadia franchise requires that you be involved in the operations of the business. Your involvement in the business is correlated to its success. You will be required to perform many functions except that of teaching. Of course, you can reduce the demands put upon you by hiring capable staff members as you grow. The franchise owner is provided with eight weeks of classroom/practical training at Arcadia’s head office pre-opening and up to one week of in-school training post opening.
How do I hire instructors?
- Arcadia will train you to interview and assist you to hire your first group of teachers.
Do I have to be an educator or have a musical background to succeed?
- Our franchisees have come to us with diverse backgrounds. The support and training you receive from Arcadia will aid you in running your business. Our training is comprehensive and will assist you in getting started.
What is the Royalty Fee?
- Years 1 & 2: 5% of gross sales, remitted monthly and Year 3, onward – 7% of gross sales, remitted monthly
What is the cost of opening an Arcadia franchise?
- The Development Cost of a premise ranging from 1,000 – 1,200 sq. ft. which includes, but is not limited to, design; leaseholds; furniture, fixtures and equipment; signage; instruments; is subject to various factors, ranges from $100,000 to $190,000.
What qualifications must an individual meet to be considered as an Arcadia Franchisee?
- A passion for delivering music education programs through quality and vision
- Music education or an educational teaching background is helpful, but not essential
- The ability to manage an academy that encourages and supports students and teachers
- The ability to deliver an excellent customer service experience
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal and computer skills
- Strong ties to your community
- A full-time commitment to Arcadia
- The ability to meet the financial requirements
What type of support does Arcadia offer?
Arcadia provides the following support:
- Right to use trademarks and trade names
- Real Estate
- Design, Drawings and Construction process
- Proprietary Software
- Ongoing Operational and Marketing support
- Loan of Confidential Operations Manual
Where do I find instructors?
- Arcadia has a proven system of finding teachers. We will teach you how the system works and assist you through the process.
Franchising: 905-851-8631
