Sing Music Studio, located in Port Credit, allows children (from newborn to age 7) and adults to take part in voice and piano lessons that are designed to expand their minds and teach them all about different styles of music.

The studio offers several different programs for students of any age, including Sing and Play Dates (themed classes), Sign and Sing (using singing and sign language), workshops and programs.

Mandi Galer, who runs the studio, started it in 2006 after establishing herself as a musician and singer. Galer knew she was great at teaching and wanted to teach music to a younger audience.

"As a musician, I can bring a lot more to the table when I work with children," she said.

Within two years, she built her first teaching program, which was a big hit with kids. Since then, the business has grown significantly.
Sing features Kindermusik programs, which are the world's most trusted name in music and movement programs for newborn and young children. Parents interested in seeing what Kindermusik is all about can stop by for any of the weekly Kindermusik programs and take part in a free trial class.

Galer, a Kindermusik Maestro (one of the top instructors in North America), said that having a connection with the students is the most important part of teaching.

"Kids seem to gravitate towards me because I'm a big kid as well," said Galer. "When I'm engaged with them, they can't keep their eyes off me."

Most musicians teach at a higher level of education, which leaves young children at a disadvantage because they are taught by educators with a very basic level of education. Children and families love the program, and often come back multiple times to take in different classes because of their quality, she said.

As for the future, Galer said she would like to open a studio outside of her home and create a larger music school.

For more information and a full roster of programs, call 416-388-8787 or visit www.singonline.ca.

The weather is still hot, but one Port Credit business has the coolest (and sharpest) hockey equipment in the village!

Bert's Sports, located at 255 Lakeshore Road East, recently reopened after being under renovation for the past three months. With a new floor space and new product selection, there's plenty for local residents to be thrilled about, said Ewan Mason, a partner in the new venture.

While the store has provided quality products and services to both novice sports enthusiasts and competitive athletes for the past 38 years it now boasts a wide selection of new product lines and an extensive selection of high quality previously owned skates and equipment. The store carries full lines of hockey equipment from several manufacturers like Bauer, Graf, Easton, Reebok, Warrior and many others.

Bert's also has a number of new specialty services, including the Pro Sharp skate sharpening service, the revolutionary Sani Sport cleaning machine (which disinfects equipment in less than 30 minutes) and Bert's TV, an in-house video channel showing educational and product videos on pertinent topics. In addition, the new owners built, a shooting gallery in the basement complete with synthetic ice where kids can try out new composite hockey sticks. The main floor boasts an entertainment wall with NHL 2010 video games and table top hockey for kids and adults to play while they are waiting for their skates to be sharpened. "It's probably the coolest hockey shop on the planet," said Mason, who purchased the shop last November from former owner Anand Mahabir and has been revamping it ever since.

There has always been a need for a customer-focused high-end hockey store in the area, said Ewan, because of the roots of competitive youth hockey in the village. As a parent of 4 children who play hockey, he has long been involved with local community sports programs.

People come from all across the Greater Toronto Area to buy skates because of the wide selection and quality products, he said. Customer service has always been a key part of the store's success, because the staff are willing to go above and beyond for the customer.

"If you forgot to get your kid's skate sharpened for the weekend tournament, and it's a late Friday or Saturday evening, we will still get it done for them," he said. "I was born in Port Credit, live in this great lakeshore community and work within it, and I like to think that Bert's is an integral part of this community. That's what it's all about."

There aren't many independent hockey stores in the area that have the same variety of equipment and services that Bert's does, which makes it a true jewel for residents in Port Credit and the surrounding areas. Serving the community has always been a top priority for the staff, and always will be, he said.

"We never want to forget what our roots are," said Mason.

For more information, call 905-278-4780 or visit www.bertssports.com.