ABOUT US

Our Vision

Metalworks Institute is the educational creation and natural extension of world-renowned Metalworks Studios; home to some of the world’s most successful artists and producers. Mandated by founder Gil Moore to provide a superior curriculum, as well as an unrivaled social, educational, and artistic experience. Metalworks Institute is not your average school.

Accordingly, Metalworks Institute embraces a philosophy of mutual respect, inspirational mentoring, and balanced life values. The state-of-the-art campus facilities, located adjacent to the studio complex, support this vision. Providing students with the best tools, instructors and environment to complete their studies: Metalworks sets the standard for entertainment arts education.


 

Metalworks Institute Founder Gil Moore

Our Founder

Gil Moore first rose to prominence as the drummer for Canadian supergroup and Music Hall of Fame inductees Triumph. When the band stopped touring in 1988, Moore dedicated himself full-time to Metalworks Studios – now 17x winners of Canadian Music Week’s Recording Studio of the Year award.

In 2004, the studio expanded into live sound and lighting through Metalworks Production Group – 2018 winners of Canadian Music Week’s A/V Production Company of the Year award. Then, in 2005, Gil Moore founded Metalworks Institute with the goal of passing the vast skills and knowledge of the Metalworks team onto the next generation. Now, our graduates inspire us daily with their accomplishments.

Our History

The Metalworks story began with the incorporation of Design Staging Inc. on October 11, 1977 – a sound company, management hub, and creative workspace for legendary Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductees, Triumph. As Triumph’s ascent in rock evolved, the company’s name was changed to Metalworks. While the initial focus was on studio recording, the Metalworks brand ultimately expanded to embrace multiple facets of the entertainment industry – from recording, to live event production, to education.

Metalworks Studios has maintained an unsurpassed level of excellence spanning four decades. Recognized for an unprecedented seventeen times as Recording Studio of the Year at the CMW Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards, the studio has hosted an illustrious array of international recording artists, producers, and film stars, while maintaining a vital role in the continuing development of emerging talent.


Metalworks Studios' Studio 1 in 1978


  • Music School of the Year

    We are proud to announce that Metalworks Institute was chosen as Music School of the Year 2019 as voted by the industry at Canadian Music Week’s Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards! We are honoured to receive this award for the second time and we would like to thank the students, faculty and staff for their hard work, dedication, and continuing support.

  • Paul Kitchin Award for Outstanding Community Involvement

    Metalworks Institute is honoured to have received the inaugural Paul Kitchin Award for Outstanding Community Involvement from Career Colleges Ontario (CCO) for our involvement with Interprovincial Music Camp (IMC). Thank you to everyone at CCO and IMC for your important work and continued support.

 
  • “Metalworks gave me the foundation I needed to start my career. The instructors are great, and they are all veterans of the business which makes all the difference. If you’re looking to break into the music business but don’t know where to start, Metalworks is a great place, and has served as a launchpad for many respected pros.”Mr. WordPress

    Riley Bell

    Producer/Mixer – 2018 JUNO Award-Winning Recording Engineer of the Year (Daniel Caesar, Jessie Reyez) Class of 2012 Professional Sound & Business (Studio Production Major)



  • “The best part about it all is running into fellow MWI Alumni in the business. When you graduate - you’ll know exactly what I mean. We are the music business illuminati and we stick together!”Mr. WordPress

    Jennifer Essiembre

    Director, ole Label Group, Class of 2009 Entertainment Business Management


  • “Metalworks absolutely gave me the most hands on and real-world experience that helped me with exactly what I wanted to do after I graduated. The program was great, and the staff and community have all been amazingly supportive.” Mr. WordPress

    Darren 'Jeter' Magierowski

    Audio Engineer – Route 66 Recordings/Jukasa Studios (July Talk, Alexisonfire, Harrison Kennedy, The Trews) Class of 2010 Audio Production & Engineering Diploma Program


  • “Metalworks rewards hard work with honesty, curiosity with knowledge, and devotion with reinforcement. Those with a true passion for the music industry have the chance to prosper here.”Mr. WordPress

    Tom Wood

    Front of House (FOH) Engineer – (Shawn Mendes, Jessie J), Class of 2012 Show Production & Event Management Diploma Program


  • "The instructors at Metalworks went above and beyond to teach me very valuable life lessons. They were passionate about music and provided me with all the tools I needed to be successful."Mr. WordPress

    Michelle Owen

    Tour Manager for The Glorious Sons, Class of 2014 Entertainment Business Management

About our Educational Partnerships

Metalworks Institute collaborates with a select group of educational partners who assist us in maintaining the highest degree of currency in our technical protocols and curriculum content for our students. Learn more about our educational partners.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EDUCATIONAL DISTINCTION


Students are prepared for leadership roles and are taught about lifelong learning through innovative instruction techniques and exceptional learning resources.

Our unique educational concept is all about uniting faculty and students in the acquisition and application of technical, artistic and business knowledge in a real-world professional environment. The Faculty at Metalworks Institute have been carefully selected for their industry expertise, awards, achievements and teaching skills. The Metalworks group of companies is always on the cutting edge of industry developments. Adapting our programs to these developments and the latest available technologies is crucial in maintaining our state of the art facilities and providing a unique hands-on educational experience.

Metalworks Institute’s ever-expanding campus will support future programs as we continue to explore creative ways of producing exceptionally skilled graduates in all areas of the entertainment industry.

All of Metalworks Institute’s full-time diploma programs are approved as vocational programs under the Private Career Colleges Act 2005.