PICKERING -- Getting kids to do their math homework may not always be easy.

But sometimes, all they might need is something to look forward to after they finish their geometry.

Bob Spencer, owner of Creative Math and Music, said getting kids to hone their arithmetic skills might be as easy as letting them play their guitars afterward.

Mr. Spencer was a banker for almost 20 years before leaving to pursue his passion, teaching music and math. He has a degree in math and played various instruments throughout his life, including accordion, trumpet and guitar.

So he decided to start a business that would combine his two loves.

He says learning music improves brain function and helps students enhance their performance in other areas. Many parents who have students in his music programs notice improvement in their children’s marks overall, Mr. Spencer said.

This improvement can be credited to the discipline needed to master an instrument and also do difficult calculations.

“To learn an instrument you have to be focused and committed to practising; it’s the same for math,” he said.

And his strategy for teaching music is a bit different from other lessons, he said. For music, kids learn in a small group setting that is similar to a band.

“The concept for small group lessons is that students meet other kids and are social while learning music at the same time,” he said.

And instead of a year-end performance kids perform once or twice a month at local venues.

“In math you are tested,” he said. “Performances are the ongoing tests for music.”

Kids that are enrolled in both music and math programs get a discount and Mr. Spencer said parents often use the music lessons as a reward for math practice.

Mr. Spencer has been in business for five years and credits the growth his school has experienced to referrals from parents. He had 100 students in September 2007 and by June 2008 he had 175 enrolled.

“It says a lot about our teachers,” he said.

To learn more about Mr. Spencer’s programs visit www.creativemathandmusic.com or call him at 905-686-MATH.