Cingolani Academy of Music & Performing Arts

A Studio History: 1965 – 2011

The Cingolani Academy of Music and Performing Arts began as a small business back in 1965 when Gerlinde Baumgarten came from Germany to Canada and started a small  accordion school known as “Lindy’s School of Music”.

As a single mother of two, emigrating after the war, Lindy found herself in Canada where she opened a rooming house and taught the odd accordion lesson on the side to make extra money. As the demand for the instrument grew in the 60′s, she founded her own music studio. Her daughter Ingrid became one of the teacher and helped build a strong, reputable teaching foundation that is still upheld today.

In 1981 when Lindy retired and moved to New York to help run the American Accordionists Association and develop the Keyboard Studies Centre, Ingrid and her husband Derni Cingolani (two time Canadian Accordion Champion and ranked third in the World) took over and re-opened the business. Over the next 25 year period, the studio was not only found in Barrie, but also Angus and Shanty Bay. It had quadrupled in size with the  addition of more instruments and teachers from all over Ontario.

2006 found us moving into the third generation. Their daughter Renée re-vamped the business, and with a name change and new mandate, built the studio into a full performing arts academy. As a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (voice/piano) and a career in professional theatre that began in 1994, she felt the next logical step was to expand the studio and add all aspects of performance, yet still keep the small town family atmosphere. The new goal of the academy was to bring Toronto to Barrie and create a facility and outlet for the community to drive ambition, motivate while educating, build self-esteem, confidence, and extend creativity.

After the success of the studio expansion, and following a rigorous audition process with Cirque du Soleil, Renée decided to change her focus. She was asked to join Cirque’s database as a potential singer/musician and as such, in August 2011 the studio was sold and changed hands. Renée continues to teach in Oro-Medonte, awaiting her contract with Cirque to begin.

The Cingolani/Baumgarten family still firmly believe that the arts can change a life and help each person reach their full potential for growth. We will dearly miss everyone and wish you all the best of luck for the future and continued success in your artistic endeavors.