Community Profile: Meet Karen and Doug, Owners of Bloor West Music Studio
As we mark 55 years of Bloor West Village, we are celebrating the businesses that have grown right alongside. Today, we spotlight Bloor West Music Studios, who are turning 35 this November! Their love for music and teaching has inspired generations of local talent and kept the Village in tune.
Karen and Doug started the studio in 1990, two months after their wedding. Today, they have a family of 220 students and 15 teachers, offering lessons in every instrument you can think of – strings, winds, percussion, keyboards, and more.
Doug and Karen’s journey started small from teaching out of a single room, spreading the word through flyers and word of mouth. Slowly, they expanded room by room. Doug has been teaching music since he was 14. Karen comes from a family of entrepreneurs and brings strong business skills to the studio. She manages operations and is also a visual artist. They draw inspiration from their travels, especially from Italy, and bring those ideas back to shape the studio experience.
Doug shares, “BWV has an old-world charm. It is artistic, walkable, and always filled with people.” They both fondly remember their early days and coffee dates at the “Sweet Gallery” café.
While many students live locally, others travel from all over Toronto, especially during event programs. Some former students now return as parents and bring their kids to learn where they once did. They feel proud that many former students are now teachers at the studio. Their daughter Amanda, a high school student, is already following their path. She plays saxophone, piano and guitar, sings, and performs in two bands.
They have seen big changes over the years. “Back then, there was no tech, no website, no online bookings. Today, people can visit our website, browse classes, and book right away.”
At BW Music Studios, students learn, write, perform, and record original songs. You can find their music on Spotify under Bass Bones, including “Downtown” and “Sea Glass.”
