Our School of Performing Arts (SoPA) gives you the opportunity to develop your artistic skills while building the business knowledge you need for a successful career in the arts. Our instructors are working musicians who can help you gain the real-world experience you need in a hands-on learning environment. Check out our instructors here.

You will train and perform in the 300-seat Florence Simmons Performance Hall, and our SoPA Garage, a rehearsal space and recording studio. While you’re here, you will participate in industry events, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to gig all over Prince Edward Island.

Our two-year Music Performance program also prepares you to continue your musical education after you graduate through degree pathways, including agreements with Berklee College of Music, Acadia University, and the University of Limerick. Find out more about our degree pathways here.

SoPA has strong roots in the local music scene, and is home to the Holland College Welshmen Community Band. People from all walks of life play in the band. It’s a great way for Holland College students who were in high school band programs to continue to play their instrument when they are in college or university, regardless of what program they are taking.

We are also active in local high schools, through the SoPA All-City Jazz Band. The band was formed as an outreach program to promote excellence in music and act as a bridging ensemble for future SoPA students. The group is comprised of some of the finest high school jazz musicians in the province. Students were selected based on recommendations from their high school teachers and on their musical merit.

Take a virtual tour of an ensemble room and the SoPA Garage here. Take a virtual tour of the Florence Simmons Performance Hall here.