Mary Balinov has been serving the local community since 1998

Four-year-old Veronica Guglietti is one of the students of Mary Balinov, director and program coordinator of The Tots and Pre-School Music Academy.

Serving the community since 1998 is Mary Balinov, director and program coordinator of The Tots and Pre- School Music Academy.

Mary started her music program nine years ago in the basement of her Bolton home by introducing music and dance to pre-school children. After two years, she moved into her own studio space and added moms and tots to her already popular program. She has since outgrown that location and today she runs her music business in a spacious 2,700- square-foot music studio, which she shares with her professional musician husband Tisho and seven other highly educated music teachers. Her new pay-as-you-go music program has parents ringing her phone 24/7.

"We are in 'the now,'" she explained. "I make it a point to document every phone call and the nature of the inquiry. I also insist on speaking with everyone personally. Back in September, I realized that people are looking for something flexible to fit their changing work schedule. It took me three months to come up with an alternative program that did not tie people down to a long-term schedule and financial commitment."

"All I need is one-day notice and I'm there when parents need me," she added.

Children aged three, four and five are introduced to musical instruments, music theory and various types of dance and choreography. Every child responds positively to music and the longterm benefits are undisputed and well-documented with facts backed by university studies.

Many parents have happily reported back to their music teachers that their child's academic marks (especially math) have skyrocketed since they enrolled in music lessons.

Balinov and her staff are firm believers that no child is too young to be introduced to music. Her program sets the foundation and prepares children to pursue music lessons with their own private teacher.

"People are stunned when they see my three-year-old students read music notes," she commented. "I know from experience that the younger they are, the easier they are to teach."

A second location will open in Alliston this spring.

"This will operate as a Child/Parent Music Centre," Balinov explained.

She added it will give parents the opportunity to share music activities with their children.

Future plans include opening two more Child/Parent Music Centres in Orangeville and Barrie.

For more information on the pay-as-you-go music program, visit www.tisho.ca and click on "tots & preschool music academy." To reserve a spot for moms and tots, which starts again in April, call Balinov at (905) 951-7416.

The studio is located at 19 McEwan Dr. at the corner of McEwan and Nixon Road in Bolton.