About Us

Welcome to Cornerstone Music Café

Where Music and Community Meet

At Cornerstone Music Café, we believe in the power of music to bring people together. Located in the heart of Calgary, our café is more than just a music school; it's a community hub where passion for music and delicious food converge.

Our Story

Sylvia Age 4

Sylvia and Jim Johnston, the owners of Cornerstone Music Café, have a unique journey that brought the café to life.

The couple first met while working at Cornerstone Music—Jim as a drum instructor and Sylvia as the administrator. Jim, a drummer since his teens, and Sylvia, with restaurant experience dating back to age 14, combined their passions and envisioned adding a café to the music studio, transforming it into what is now Cornerstone Music Café.

Both Jim and Sylvia are known for their hard work and determination, traits that run deep in their family history. Jim’s grandmother, Cecille, was not only a nanny at the Historic Bow Valley Ranch in Fish Creek but also a skilled piano player. In the café, you’ll find a special photograph of Jim playing drums alongside his grandmother on the piano. Sylvia’s grandmother, Ida, owned a café/garage in the Hamlet of Irvine in Cypress County, where a young Sylvia could often be found enjoying crinkle fries or ice cream.

Shortly after the café opened, they welcomed their son, who has grown up in the café, eager to help and be part of the family business. Family and community are at the heart of everything the Johnstons do, a value instilled in them by their grandmothers’ legacies.

Jim Age 2

Meet The Team

Owner, Cornerstone Music Café

Sylvia Johnston

Sylvia is the passionate owner of Cornerstone Music Café, combining her love for music, community, and great food.

With a deep curiosity for the world, Sylvia has spent three years working abroad and has traveled to numerous countries, including Scotland, England, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Italy, Tenerife, Ghana, the Czech Republic, Mexico, and Jamaica. Her travels have fueled her love for learning, new cultures, and culinary experiences. When she’s not busy running the café, Sylvia enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, always on the lookout for new adventures and opportunities to connect.