Teaching Faculty
Waltons New School of Music
'Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.'
– Japanese Proverb
'It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.'
– Albert Einstein
My children have been taking online lessons with Barbara Dagg, who is an outstanding piano teacher with the experience and patience to inspire even the most challenging of children. She tried different techniques and ways of teaching to find something that worked well for both of my children. For my oldest, she was supportive and understanding as she went into her first pre-exam and gave her confidence. For my youngest, she tried different ways of working with her to find something that stuck. They have both progressed tremendously in the last year and enjoy playing. We have had a great experience with the school, and I have already recommended it to other families.
Éamonn is a great [tin whistle] teacher. He cherishes what I already am capable of and knows exactly what to teach me to make me progress every week.
Paddy Kiernan is a charismatic musician and a great teacher. His greatest asset is his continuously positive and enthusiastic approach to teaching, which derives from his deep love for music. He has encouraged me to work methodically to improve myself as a musician, while also helping me to understand my potential. I’m very lucky to have a teacher like him.
The school has a warm and welcoming environment with a very courteous and helpful administration and excellent teachers. [mandolin student]
We have been here for three years now, and our kids are very happy in Waltons and with their teachers. The teaching at Waltons is a professional combination of enjoyment and tuition. As a result, both my children have been inspired by their teachers to practice their instruments. Playing guitar or drums is not a chore anymore but has become a passion for them.
My personal experience is that Waltons New School of Music has a long tradition of fostering musical talent in its students, and my tutors have continued that tradition with respect, flexibility, skill and creativity. I really enjoy working with Adam, my Irish harp teacher, and he has helped me develop my own skills and style at my own pace.
Fantastic course! [Introducing Guitar for Teens] John is such a great guitar player and teacher, and he really inspired me to learn guitar. I can play a few songs now, and I’m definitely going to continue learning.
The teacher explained everything clearly and efficiently [and] made the complicated works easier to grasp. [Leaving Cert. Music Easter Revision Course]
I liked the encouragement and guidance, the comradery with the group and the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, as well as the great teacher, very knowledgeable and experienced, with great insight into songwriting and lots of tips. [Songwriting Workshop]
The wonderful teacher, very supportive and patient, made for a very enjoyable experience. There was a lovely sense of camaraderie in the group learning and playing together. [Flute Ensemble]
I’ve been taking Intensive Lessons in blues guitar on and off for the past couple of years. They’re a great solution for someone who can’t commit to weekly lessons. Also, I have a fantastic teacher who gives me plenty of material to work on between my lessons.
Great, flexible, friendly and encouraging teacher. [Songwriting Workshop]
My daughter had no previous knowledge of the cello, and we took a big gamble investing in an instrument and lessons. Little did we know that in a short period of time her tutor Enrien would help build her confidence and take time to explain how to play the instrument, from holding the bow to understanding how to read music with ease. We are so impressed with Enrien. Not only he is super professional and shows so much dedication in each lesson, but his teaching has instilled in my daughter such love for the instrument that she wouldn’t miss a lesson! Thank you very much. We are so delighted and would highly recommend the school and its tutors.
I have been learning flute and piano at the school for the past two years. I really enjoy coming to lessons, and the staff at the school are very friendly and approachable. My teachers are great, and their inspiration has motivated me to continue…. The school is also very accessible by any means of transport. I have recommended it to many of my friends.
Very enjoyable course [Introducing Music Technology], with all details well explained by a knowledgeable and friendly teacher.
The passion and ability of the individual teacher makes a huge difference both to the learning outcome and to the enjoyment of the lessons. Sinéad has the ability to make these happen. [voice student]
Sinéad was brilliant. She brought out the best in me, and I am much more confident now about my voice. I loved everything about the [Musical Theatre Workshop] course. Fun, laughter, confidence building.
Very good [voice] teacher, with excellent knowledge of good technique. Keep up the good work!
I’ve really enjoyed learning a new instrument and new songs, as well as the group camaraderie. The teacher is very patient! [Introducing Ukulele for Adults]
Excellent tutor who takes personal interest in our progress. I am learning so much, am enjoying every class and have improved significantly since I started the course. [Introducing Tin Whistle]
I recommend Waltons New School of Music without reservation to anyone who has a desire to learn a musical instrument or take a refresher course.
Very well taught! Notes are easy to understand, and it definitely boosts your confidence towards the exam. [Leaving Cert. Music Easter Revision Course]
I like the structured approach and empathetic teacher with the ability to identify and help areas of weakness. [Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Adults]
There is a really pleasant atmosphere. The teachers are always available and proactive, as well as the people who work at reception.
A pleasure to spend an hour doing something different with a genuinely passionate musician and totally nice bloke. [Irish Music Tasters]
Excellent teacher! [Making Music (Ages 3-4)]
I thoroughly enjoyed The Art & Craft of Songwriting workshop with Melanie O’Reilly. I found the content very interesting and informative, and I’m continuously putting it into practice in my writing. Melanie is a brilliant teacher, enjoyable and fun to listen to. She has so much knowledge and experience, and the course has helped me to get a grasp on how to go about writing a song with a structure. It was also a lovely way of meeting people with similar interests, and we still keep in touch. I would highly recommend the course.
I had an excellent piano teacher for my Intensive Lesson – very clear, organised, friendly and patient! Doing a lesson with him was a pleasure, and I plan to continue my piano/keyboard studies here. I highly recommend the school for its excellent teachers, very helpful administrative staff, user friendly website and convenient and accessible location!
The instructor is extremely knowledgeable but also patient and approachable. Highly recommended. [Music Fundamentals]
Ableton Live Basics is a great course to get started with Ableton Live, and it has given me the confidence to make my own music. The course was set at just the right pace, and every class covered something new without being overwhelming. The teacher’s friendly and relaxed attitude made the whole experience really enjoyable.
My daughter thoroughly enjoys each [guitar] lesson. In just a short space of time she has developed confidence in playing her guitar and a desire to improve and learn more. This is purely attributable to the fantastic tuition from her teacher. Thank you!
Michael’s style of teaching is very informative as he provided a history of different musical styles, which helped [us understand] what is possible on the instrument. [Introducing Harmonica] was a great introduction to the harmonica for someone who is picking it up as a hobby while also providing enough content for someone starting with the instrument seriously.
Really super lessons, both in person and online. Studying voice musical theatre with Sinéad Flynn has been such an enriching experience. She has a lovely manner, very encouraging and still critical and pushing me to improve. I have learnt so much in the past 18 months, and the lessons have done wonders for my confidence. I’m even taking exams in my forties!
I honestly didn’t think I would get so much out of online singing lessons, but my teacher’s just brilliant and I have learned loads. I live much too far from Dublin to come to the school on a regular basis, so online tuition has been a great experience for me.
Top class vocal teaching that is specifically tailored to each student.
Excellent teacher and class environment in which to (re)learn singing! [Introducing Singing for Adults]
Melanie is a very talented teacher, and her [Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble] classes are a joy. She has a natural flair for communicating her extensive knowledge of jazz and swing music with infectious enthusiasm and fun. There was a lovely dynamic in our group, and we all learned to sing great songs with impressive rhythm and harmony.
Great teachers and a great environment. I have improved my musical abilities a lot thanks to the school. [voice student]
Marta has been teaching me classical voice for the past three years at the New School, and the progress I have made under her guidance has been truly remarkable. Her deep expertise, structured approach, and genuine passion for music have had a significant impact on my development as a musician. Thanks to Marta’s dedication and effective teaching methods, I have consistently achieved high grades in advanced singing music exams. She combines technical rigor with encouragement, making each lesson both productive and inspiring. Marta’s personal teaching style and commitment to excellence sets her apart as a teacher. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a skilled and nurturing classical voice instructor.
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble with Melanie. She is a brilliant teacher and made the classes very enjoyable and educational. Her song choices were fantastic, and we learned to sing in some wonderful three-part harmonies. Many thanks!
What I most liked about my voice lessons was the teacher’s skills and open attitude towards the student as a unique individual, as well as her friendly and compassionate manner. This school really stands out for the positive and friendly attitude of all the people who work there, from the teachers to the people at reception, which creates a safe environment to learn and have some fun!
My [drum kit] teacher made it very easy to learn the drums, as he broke each skill down into its elements. Also, the drum kit here is fantastic.
My daughter has a wonderful violin teacher here. She certainly has the knowledge and expertise, but most importantly she knows how to work with children and motivate them to stick with it. We’ll be back.
Introducing Irish Fiddle was a really enjoyable course. All of the tunes I learned were broken down and made easy to learn and pick up. The teacher was extremely helpful, accommodating and approachable, and this gave me the confidence in going on to learn the fiddle.
Sinéad is a wonderful teacher. Every week she has encouraged me with her positive feedback, and I have gained a lot of confidence about my singing since starting lessons with her. I would recommend Sinéad and Waltons New School of Music to anyone who enjoys music. I also like the fact that the school accommodates both online and face-to-face tuition, and it’s both very central in town and easy to access by public transport. Finally, I have booked rooms in the school to practice my singing outside of lessons – which is an excellent facility.
I was delighted to hear that such a renowned music school was now offering online music tuition. I live in the west and had great difficulty finding a piano teacher near me who could teach my skill level. (I wanted to work on a performing diploma.) My piano lessons with Waltons so far have been great – everything I could have hoped for. I have a superb teacher who is both encouraging and very clear in her advice and instructions, and I’m confident that she’ll prepare me well for my diploma.
The teacher was very enthusiastic. His love for the music shone through! [Irish Music Tasters]
I’ve really enjoyed my online lessons. I had tried learning banjo with YouTube videos but found the whole experience frustrating and difficult. Now I have progressed faster with just a few lessons (so far) with a great teacher than I had when trying to learn myself for over a year!
Paddy is an excellent, adaptable [banjo] teacher who helped me to achieve my goals.
I learned so much…. The teacher was excellent with a wide knowledge of the field. [Introducing Music Technology]
Great [Introducing Harmonica] teacher – enthusiastic, good-humoured and very helpful.
The [Introducing 5-String Banjo] course is professionally taught, with the targets outlined and explained at beginning of the course. And our tutor Paddy keeps the classes both interesting and varied.
This course [Sight Singing Made Easy] is a great way to learn sight singing with an excellent teacher. I’ve sung with a few choirs over the years, but I always had to learn the music either by ear or with recordings. What a pleasure it is now to just pick up a written song or piece of music and sing it!
I can’t speak too highly of Waltons New School of Music and of Paddy Kiernan’s tuition for the banjo. I love what I am learning and go away from each [Introducing 5-String Banjo] class more motivated to learn.
I have really enjoyed [Introducing Violin for Adults] at the school, especially the outstanding teaching skills, kindness and patience of the instructor. I have to say that choosing this course was a very good decision.
As a past musician who had not played an instrument for 30 years, Waltons and [my teacher] gave me back my music. For that I will always be grateful.
I asked Waltons New School of Music if they could help through their Music at Work programme with a corporate meeting using bodhráns to demonstrate the power of rhythm in a business context. The process was a real pleasure, and everyone I dealt with was knowledgeable and helpful. The session itself was facilitated by Éamonn Galldubh. Ahead of time, Éamonn quickly understood what we wanted to achieve and worked collaboratively on ideas to make the session a success. On the day he quickly established both his credibility and a rapport with the audience. He was a fantastic teacher, had just the right balance of humour, understood perfectly the messages we wanted to incorporate and worked seamlessly with the team without any rehearsal.
The session was a resounding success and exceeded my expectations; our team not only got the messages but had so much fun to boot. Waltons handled all the logistics, and I would recommend them to anyone considering a similar event. A first class service. [Irish Music Tasters]
Inspiring tutor made every single [Jazz Vocal Workshop] class interesting, challenging but most of all fun and highly rewarding.
I’m into my 4th year of [guitar] tuition and have progressed way beyond my expectations – which I thought were ambitious. The environment in the school is serious in terms learning and progression, yet hugely developmental and enjoyable. My tutor is the consummate professional. He has a teaching style that is easy to engage with and breeds confidence and encouragement – all delivered with a subtle but effective eye towards delivery beyond expectations. I’ve never not looked forward to a class. That says it all for me!
What I liked best about the [Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics] course was its interactive nature. the enthusiasm displayed by our teacher John Sweeney and the opportunity to witness a pure professional. And the encouragement and support provided by the school staff has taken the fear out of taking on a music course and added to the enjoyment and confidence to take on more.
I have an excellent [classical guitar] teacher, and I admire his musicality, his talent, his wide-ranging taste and his skills. He is an excellent judge of the right pace for progression and diversification of repertoire, and he’s generous with his many practical and very helpful suggestions on technique and the best use of practice sessions. I have enjoyed my lessons with him enormously, and I feel I’ve made huge progress since I started with him. The atmosphere of my lessons is relaxed yet focused on the music. It has worked really well for me.
Paddy made every [Introducing 5-String Banjo] class an interesting one. He is a superb teacher.
Really enjoyed the [Introducing Guitar for Adults] course, delivered online. We had a very good teacher, calm and relaxed but pushing us at the right times too. He engaged very well with us as students and was very encouraging. I was starting from scratch, and by the end of the course I was able to play through several songs from start to finish – albeit not expertly – and that, for me, was a great result. Would highly recommend this course to any adult learners looking to start playing the guitar.
The Musical Theatre Workshop is just an amazing course. Sinéad is a fantastic teacher – encouraging and honest. Having done the course twice now, I find it has really helped me with my confidence in performing and also in my everyday life. Even my seniors in work have noticed the change, so thanks Sinéad!
Great fun, great teacher, great group and a great skill learned! [Introducing Irish Fiddle]
My child benefited from individual attention from an excellent teacher in a small group. [Introducing Violin for Children]
I’ve learned so much from my teacher that I wasn’t able to learn from singing lessons elsewhere.
A great teacher who offers excellent tuition catered around each individual student’s needs. One of the best. [Introducing Irish Fiddle]
The teacher’s enthusiasm and patience, and sensitivity to the varied standards of playing within the group, allows everyone to reach a satisfying standard of music making. A great opportunity to experience ensemble music making where the whole becomes greater than the parts! [Flute Ensemble]
What I like most about my low whistle lessons with Harry are his patience, his friendliness, his proficiency with the instrument, his knowledge of traditional Irish music and his keenness to impart that knowledge. [online student]
I have such a great [violin] teacher. I’d recommend her to anyone.
Excellent course. Eoin makes what some would consider a dry subject both interesting and engaging. And being able to read music has opened up a whole new world for me! [Music Fundamentals]
My concertina lessons are great. Learning music for the first time as an adult is very scary, but my teacher had the greatest patience and taught me many tunes. I progressed a lot, and that’s all her merit. She is a very knowledgeable and skilled musician, but she’s also a great teacher. It is very difficult to find both things in the same person.
This course [Musical Theatre Workshop] is excellent for developing both acting and singing skills in fun, relaxed and creative atmosphere. Sinéad is dedicated, enthusiastic and open to letting the class develop their performance. I hope to take the course again next year, as it has given me the confidence to perform and audition for my local musical society.
Great tuition! Have been taking trad flute lessons here for the last year and my instructor has brought me on by leaps and bounds. The Friday Trad Slow Sessions are an excellent way to learn new tunes.
Harry is an excellent teacher who plans a really great term of music – challenging, enjoyable, interesting. He always has a great story and background history of the pieces and is always encouraging and upbeat. He teaches the whistle, but he also fosters a love of Irish music. Really enjoy the Monday classes. [Introducing Tin Whistle student]
I started to play cello in my senior years, and my in-school lessons with Enrien have been invaluable. He has given me a great introduction to the basics of cello playing. The school staff have always been helpful, and the school’s city centre location has been great.
Dave is an excellent (and patient) electric bass teacher, and I always look forward to our lessons. If you’re a late starter (or restarter) like me, don’t be intimidated – give it a go!
Sight singing is a skill that I thought was beyond me, but when it was broken down and explained well by an excellent teacher, and then practiced of course, it’s amazing how quickly it became second nature! [Sight Singing Made Easy]
Great experience – highly recommend it. Excellent teacher and notes, very well explained and easy to understand. [Leaving Cert. Music Easter Revision Course]
I always wanted to play the mandolin but never thought I could. Paddy is an excellent teacher, and his method of teaching has brought me way beyond my expectations.
I decided to take the [Ableton Live Basics] course because I had Ableton Live Lite software that came bundled with some gear I’d bought, and I had no idea how to use it. The course far exceeded my expectations. I’d imagined a course that would give me a couple of tips for using Ableton Live more effectively, but our teacher provided us with so much more. I now realise why Ableton Live is such a popular software – and I now have a very good idea of what it can do!
Really enjoying learning bodhrán with such a great teacher. I just wish I’d discovered these online lessons sooner!
The Songwriting Workshop was transformative for me, taking a lifelong ambition at songwriting and – within a few weeks – transforming it into a weekly/daily practice rather than a vague aspiration. Luan Parle clearly understands the songwriting process intimately, but what is rare is her ability to convey that deep understanding to fledgling songwriters. She dived right into the process from day one, and it was very much “learning-by-doing”. This immediately alleviated my nerves and self-consciousness. She also broke down songwriting into easily digestible components (verse/bridge/chorus/middle eight) and then sent me away to try and write each ‘part’ between classes. The course was really exciting and rewarding – and it also managed to demystify songwriting and make it more realisable. Throughout, Luan’s approach was always one of positivity and optimism – searching out the best parts of my work. The course was also very good value.
With a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and excellent teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed this online course. [Introducing Guitar for Adults]
A wonderful music school with a broad range of courses, excellent teachers and a friendly approach. I would be happy to recommend the New School to anyone. [Irish harp student]
All the fundamentals were covered, which gave us the best foundations for learning how to play the violin correctly. Terrific teacher, and the atmosphere of the [Introducing Violin for Adults] classes was always great and positive. I had fun at every class. Thank you.
I loved the class [Musical Theatre Workshop]. The teacher is brilliant, and I feel much more confident about my singing and acting. Also the class is great fun.
A great [guitar] teacher – patient, organised, knows when to step back and when to push, very adaptable and knowledgeable.
I am hugely enjoying my piano lessons and really like my teacher’s approach. I have made great progress in the last year.
Michael made learning fun and very accessible (i.e. you don’t have to be ‘gifted’ to learn to play). He explains techniques well and is very positive. [Introducing Harmonica]
This has been a most enjoyable and fulfilling learning experience. My [guitar] teacher is a classy, professional but very much down-to-earth guy. He puts you at ease and is hugely encouraging and supportive. On my first visit I was a little tentative on arrival. His style is to engage and listen, and I immediately felt comfortable and assured. Since then I’ve genuinely enjoyed every minute of these sessions. Don’t think I can say that about too many experiences of anything I’ve been involved with over the years!
Harry is a great teacher, with a passion for Irish music that is infectious. [Introducing Tin Whistle]
Experience with my [drum kit] teacher has been fantastic. He’s a great teacher with lots of patience – encouraging and really passionate.
Excellent teacher. I had so much fun learning to play guitar in a fun and relaxed environment. I will definitely come back. [Introducing Guitar for Teens]
Everyone is back home and more-or-less recovered from the short nights and travel, and can look back with a lot of pleasure on the fine weekend in Dublin. I would like to thank you for all your work in engaging the wonderful teachers, finding the classroom space, and having it all work out in timing and pricing. Thanks also for passing on my many requests to the teachers! I know it took quite some time, but it really helped make it the right kind of course for my pupils. I’m very grateful that the school and the teachers were willing to be flexible! I would also like to thank your colleagues…for the warm welcome, and for making us feel at home in the school.
Huge thanks too to all the teachers: John, Éamonn, Harry and Aoife. They were fabulous! The course was a great success for my students, and I would definitely be happy to work with Waltons New School of Music again. [Irish Music Tasters]
Very friendly and professional school, with great staff.
I am only sorry that I did not find out about the [Introducing 5-String Banjo] course sooner at age 61. Better late than never. Paddy is a fantastic teacher, and the course so far is a blast!
My voice teacher is caring, kind and hard working, and I feel I have improved so much.
Hugh is a great drum kit teacher, and I always enjoy the lessons. He’s very patient and always makes them interesting. Great set-up as well. Thanks for everything.
My [violin] tutor is amazingly patient and always provided me with so many alternative ways to approach a difficult section within a piece I was practicing for my exam. The feedback always started with the positive! What I especially about taking online lessons was not having to factor in the travel time. And regarding the school, I was made to feel part of a community, whether calling into the office or emailing. Everyone in the office and on the faculty is so supportive.
I have the best [guitar] teacher in the world!
I have wanted to do a music technology course for years but the opportunity didn’t come up until I saw that Waltons were offering an online version of their Introducing Music Technology course. Signing up was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I thoroughly enjoyed the course. My zero experience in recording music was no problem because it is tailored for beginners, and looking back on how much I learned in such a short space of time is incredible! The teacher is very friendly, helpful, and explains things in a clear and concise way. I would highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in the subject!
Pia brought me in the world of jazz (one that I didn’t know at all) with great skills, a perfect choice of songs, and a practical approach that made me enjoy the singing and at the same time gave me the desire to learn more about the theory of this music. Highly recommended for any singer or any lover of singing! [Jazz Vocal Workshop]
I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the singing/voice classes [Summer Singing for Adults] I have taken with Fiadh Rua Gregg: the mix of exercises, technical knowledge and skills, learning new songs, and the experience of singing with other people. I also enjoyed listening to and learning from other people in the group. I have learned so much about my voice, and I really value this learning – considering how much I use my voice in my work.
The whole experience has been deeply enriching. I appreciated how Fiadh pitched and paced each class with a blend of tasks that provided a challenge while also offering a sense of achievement. While I attended all classes online, I felt very much part of a group, and this was due to Fiadh’s skill as a teacher, as she created such an encouraging, facilitative and supportive atmosphere. I had wanted to take singing/voice classes for years, and I’m so glad I did!
My daughter has a great [violin] teacher! I was hesitant at first to sign her up for online lessons, as I could not picture how music lessons might be held online. However, the lessons are fantastic! The teacher notices even small things and has done an excellent job in teaching and motivating my daughter to improve.
My [violin] teacher…is passionate about teaching and loves to help her students progress. I have learned so much since I started and am now a much better player.
Radha really enjoys her piano lessons each week and has learned so much this year. She especially likes how Dan mixes up the lessons with a variety of styles – classical pieces, modern music, and even songwriting. His positive and encouraging approach keeps her motivated, and it’s great to see how much she’s grown in skill and confidence. We’re really grateful for the balance of structure and creativity Dan brings to the lessons. I think it’s helping to develop a genuine love of music in her, which is so nice to see.
Sinéad Flynn is the best teacher I have ever had, for any discipline. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone interested in exploring their voice as an instrument. Sinéad is an exceptional teacher, very knowledgeable and encouraging, with a wonderful disposition. Also, the school staff are great, and the location is excellent.
I think Sarah is an excellent piano teacher with a wealth of knowledge about music. She assesses my performance and sets expectations for me every week based on how fast or slow I am progressing. Her lessons are extremely well structured with a rightful emphasis to perfect the basics, and it’s really inspiring to learn from her.
Melanie is very experienced teacher/songwriter, and she was very generous about sharing her knowledge. She was also very supportive and gave everyone on the course plenty of time and support with their individual creative projects. Really enjoyed the [Art & Craft of Songwriting] workshop!
A great atmosphere to learn in. I have got to know a few other students here, and the teachers are more than helpful with any musical questions that I have and have had. With the tuition I received from Waltons, I got into college to study music at Third Level. [bass guitar & piano student]
I found the [Introducing Guitar for Adults] course very enjoyable and very much looked forward to my hour class every week. My teacher created a very relaxed and fun learning environment and managed to include enough variation for me to have a good understanding of guitar playing. Will be continuing classes in the next term.
Luke is a great [piano] teacher who nurtured and expanded [my daughter’s] musical abilities. We were very pleased with the tuition she received at Waltons New School of Music. The school administration also takes a real interest in matching your child to the most suitable teacher for what it is that you and your child are hoping to achieve from the lessons.
The [Introducing Singing for Adults] course is a truly uplifting and fantastic experience. We have an amazing teacher who has great patience and brings humour to our classes, so that we’re always relaxed.
My son’s [piano] teacher has a great approach and teaching skills for all levels. Would not change her in a million years. Concerts which are held in the school are fantastic preparation for stage or exams.
I’ve really enjoyed Paddy’s [5-string banjo] lessons. I like has laidback teaching style, and I’m really pleased with the progress I’ve made over last two terms under Paddy’s tuition. Looking forward to continuing! I’ve also found online lessons to be particularly useful and productive. Travelling to Dublin for a lesson would not make sense. Very happy to recommend Waltons to anyone looking for music lessons.
Very enthusiastic and able teacher. Go raibh maith agat! [Trad Guitar Basics]
As a non-neurotypical learner, I was able to learn music technology and DAWs (I focused on Logic Pro) with a patient teacher at a pace that suited my needs, and I progressed well. I look forward to continued progress!
I am so glad I took this amazing course [Songwriting Workshop]. It far exceeded my expectations. Luan is an excellent teacher, and writing a song with her was a great and enjoyable experience. It is such a great opportunity being offered by Waltons. I believe that there are many people who would like to write a song and just need this guidance. Brilliant course.
Michael has an encyclopaedic knowledge of harmonica and the blues. He gives great encouragement to his students whilst showing great patience. [Introducing Harmonica]
Great [Introducing Ukulele for Adults] teacher. Never having played an instrument before, I didn’t have high expectations for this course, but years ago I fell in love with Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s ‘Over the Rainbow’ on ukulele and wanted to play it – and believe it or not, now I can!
My singing teacher is very professional and knowledgeable and tailored my lessons to suit my needs. She is also easy to build a rapport with.
Amazing classes with incredible teachers. Don’t be afraid and think you can’t sing. This school will show you how everyone can be a singer and truly be happy after every single class. [Introduction to Song Performance student]
Waltons’ music lessons are world class. The teachers go out of their way to encourage their students and make the lessons more enjoyable for them.
I have a very understanding and helpful voice teacher who’s great at getting me to pronounce some tricky Italian words! I also really like the convenience of online lessons with no need to travel.
Great course [Songwriting Workshop]. Really enjoyed having someone walk me through a scary new thing, with great skill and experience.
Sinéad is the best voice teacher I’ve ever had. In a few months, I’ve built up so much confidence in my voice and I can really hear how I’ve improved. I get to work at my own pace and have had the chance to sing some of my favourite pieces too. If you want to work on both technique and mindset, then I highly recommend Sinéad’s tutoring.
The school has a welcoming atmosphere and a very high standard of teaching that strives to meet the student’s personalised goals. Competitions, scholarships, etc. are great opportunities for students. [voice student]
This course [Introducing Bodhrán] was brilliant. I can now play Riverdance on the bodhrán! John was such an inspiring teacher, and his passion was infectious. I would highly recommend Waltons. Thank you.
You really develop an appreciation of the Irish tradition and culture. The teacher was great. [Irish Music Tasters]
The teacher’s easy manner gave me the courage to have a go even if I wasn’t getting things right. By my own reckoning I have made huge progress since I began the [Sight Singing Made Easy] course.
I really enjoy working with my [voice] teacher – she is wonderful. I very much like the atmosphere at Waltons, as do my family. I look forward to next term and to improving my voice and technique.
Our [Introducing Irish Fiddle] teacher was really supportive and enthusiastic from the start, and her love for music was contagious! I really enjoyed learning from her and I will definitely continue taking lessons from Waltons.
Loved the way you get to express yourself…. Sinéad gets the best out of you, and it is so much fun! [Musical Theatre Workshop]
I have a very friendly and understanding voice teacher. I learned a lot from the lessons, and she has a wealth of knowledge. She approached the lessons with ease, and I felt comfortable singing with her. I looked forward to my lessons every week and I would highly recommend her to other students who wish to pursue voice/singing lessons. I also like that there are both online and in-person tuition options. I found it difficult to find online singing lessons, and it was very beneficial for me as I do not live in the greater Dublin area and I am on the move a lot. Waltons New School of Music offers a great range of subjects and a large variety of instruments to learn. The enrolment process was straightforward, and their communication regarding enrolment and finalising lessons was very quick and efficient.
Thoroughly enjoyed the course [Musical Theatre Workshop]. Sinéad is a super teacher!
I was very self-conscious about starting piano lessons as an adult beginner, but I am enjoying them so much. My teacher is so encouraging and supportive, and everything is well organised. My Monday music lesson is the highlight of my week.
I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and our teacher’s enthusiasm and dedication to teaching us how to play. [Introducing Guitar for Adults]
I felt my basic guitar skills improved considerably over the online improvers Guitar for Adults course. Plenty of challenging and interesting songs to work on to continue to improve. The teacher was great. He clearly knows his stuff and is very easy going, approachable, encouraging and genuinely interested in making sure everyone was getting something from the classes.
John was very passionate about music and made me love playing the guitar. [Introducing Guitar for Adults]
My son takes drum kit lessons at the New School, and his teacher uses a variety of teaching techniques to make the lessons both interesting and enjoyable. The school has a great location and facilities for teaching.
The Introducing Bodhrán course is a really good intro into trad music, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who’s thinking about it. John is an amazing teacher, great at explaining things!
The teachers are obviously passionate, and this coupled with their musicianship and knowledge makes the learning an enjoyable and rewarding habit.
Dav is a very talented [voice] teacher who is especially skilled in dealing with adult students.
I have an excellent acoustic guitar teacher, and I could notice real improvement as we progressed through these online sessions. I would recommend the school for its competitive prices, good schedule availability and great teachers.
John is a great teacher, and I enjoyed every minute of my [Introducing Guitar for Adults] course and my practice at home. Your patient and experienced tutors, nice and helpful staff and wide range of classes make you the best music school in Dublin. I have recommended you to all of my friends.
Marta is an amazing [voice] teacher. I studied singing [in Dublin] and Paris when I was younger, and the standard of teaching from Marta is much higher than anything I received in the past. More, she brings the techniques that she learnt about in master classes from world-renowned singers such as Barbara Bonney. Marta is encouraging and positive, vocally and emotionally; I feel uplifted when I finish my lesson. It is such a blessing to have her as my teacher. I strongly recommend her.
Paddy is an excellent banjo teacher and quite an amazing banjo player. The classes were very enjoyable and instructive. [Introducing 5-String Banjo]
Waltons New School of Music provides fantastic online tuition that I’m able to easily fit into my week’s schedule. It’s so easy and works seamlessly, going from corporate meetings to summertime blues. And I wholeheartedly recommend Peter Dobai, my saxophone teacher.
I’ve been taking online lessons, and my guitar teacher has inspired me to start playing again after 30 years. He’s a super teacher and sends me helpful notes straight after each lesson. I’ve been learning more and more difficult guitar pieces after my initial tentative lockdown attempt to restart lessons.
I find Dav’s [voice] lessons to be excellent and fun. My voice has improved greatly, and her relaxed style makes the lessons very enjoyable. Highly recommended.
I was nervous learning an instrument like the guitar for the first time as an adult, but our teacher made us all feel at ease and the pace of the [Introducing Guitar for Adults] lessons suited our learning development. I can’t wait to come back!
Great [piano] teacher, always ready to help, with incredible patience and very helpful suggestions.
Great, knowledgeable teacher. This beginner guitar class [Introducing Guitar for Adults] helped me go from not knowing one end of a guitar from the other to actually being able to play a song!
I enjoyed the [Introducing Singing for Adults] course immensely and learned a lot. The teacher was excellent and I liked the whole welcoming set up in Waltons New School of Music.
A silver lining of this pandemic was that lessons moved online, and even though I had moved to Kerry I could continue learning to sing with Sinéad Flynn. She is a fabulous teacher and a huge asset to the New School. I would highly recommend to any aspiring singers or performers to sign up for lessons with Sinéad and the New School. [voice student]
John is a great guitar teacher. He helped me understand the instrument / fret board a lot more and helped me to correct bad habits.
I’m finding [Introducing Violin for Adults] very enjoyable and not at all intimidating. The teacher makes us feel at ease as we learn the violin.
Sinéad is the best voice teacher I’ve ever had. She makes every single lesson fun, interesting, and useful. And many thanks for the online tuition option. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to take lessons anymore, since I am now based in Germany. Finally, every single interaction I’ve had with the school, be it online or in person, has always been very pleasant and helpful.
Thanks to all in the New School for arranging such professional tuition with such experienced staff.
This course [Songwriting Workshop] gave me great confidence in songwriting, and to have the guidance of a professional songwriter was so helpful. The course helped me both lyrically and musically to realise my songwriting potential, and I am now constantly writing new material.
I’m very grateful to my flute teacher for his patience while I was taking my time to play some high notes properly! In my 2nd year at Waltons, I am able to enjoy playing my favourite tunes!
Excellent teacher. Excellent tuition. Friendly and encouraging. The Introducing Violin for Adults course content was perfectly pitched for a violin beginner. I enjoyed it immensely.
I’m absolutely delighted that I signed up for the [Introducing Irish Fiddle] course, which is at the perfect level for a group of adult beginners. Rebecca is a fantastic teacher with an approachable and accessible teaching style, and she communicates so well with our group. There is a lovely rapport in the class. Overall, the New School has a great atmosphere and is a great environment for learning music. The staff and teachers are so professional and accommodating. I would definitely recommend it to a friend!
A truly excellent online course. The teacher is really engaging and not only makes the essentials of music reading (and writing) easy to understand but makes the whole learning process fun as well. I would highly recommend this course [Music Fundamentals] for anyone interested in learning to read music who doesn’t know where to start. You won’t regret it!
My daughter has been taking violin lessons in the school for over a year now, and both her and my experience has been fantastic. From the quality of time her teachers have given her, to the promptness and informed interactions with the office staff, I couldn’t recommend Waltons New School of Music highly enough.
I’ve gained so much since I’ve taken [Musical Theatre Workshop] classes here. My confidence has grown immensely, and I’ve come on as both a singer and performer. Sinéad is an amazing teacher who has pushed me out of my comfort zone and believed in me so that I can reach my full potential and be the best performer that I can possibly be.
My teacher is a gem. A kind person with a deep understanding of music, who knows how to teach it. [voice student]
The teachers were extremely talented, engaging and knowledgeable. I loved the demonstrations of various instruments (especially the pipes). [Irish Music Tasters]
Excellent online course, great teacher, highly recommended. [Summer Music Technology Essentials]
Thank you very much for the very informative, exciting and interesting three days for our students at your school! They really enjoyed playing the tin whistle and bodhrán and singing traditional Irish songs. Your teachers did a really good job, and the students learned a lot in a very short time. A fascinating new experience! [Irish Music Tasters]
A very enjoyable course [Introducing Singing for Adults]. The teacher was very experienced and all participants improved hugely, even shrinking violets!
Small class, lovely teacher, lovely students. [Introducing Ukulele for Adults]
The [Introducing Violin for Adults] course gave me a great introduction to a difficult instrument in a friendly, fun environment. It was challenging but thoroughly enjoyable, which I think should be credited to the patience and helpfulness of the teacher.
I have a cracking teacher and really enjoyed the [Summer Piano/Keyboard for Adults] course. I loved the logical way he took us through the basics and gave us heaps of encouragement and praise.
Very professional and friendly school with excellent teachers. I really enjoyed studying here.
Thank you Waltons New School of Music for providing a course I had been looking around for and for delivering on its promises. Superb tutor! [Introducing Music Technology]
Dav, my teacher, has been so helpful in helping me to understand my voice. Learning to sing well is a process, but I see good results already. A very big thank you that the school is here and that you’ve given me an opportunity to learn with a professional and to satisfy my desire to sing.
Excellent teacher. Excellent revision. [Leaving Cert. Music Pre-Exam Revision Workshop]
My online singing lessons with the New School over the past few months have been a revelation! I know it can take people a bit of time to get used to online learning, but I have an excellent teacher who explained everything so clearly and listened to my singing so intently that I honestly prefer online lessons to in-person now. And the best part of it is that I have no commute!
What I liked best about the course was the fast progress we made, the great atmosphere of the class and Rebecca’s amazing teaching and passion for music. [Introducing Irish Fiddle]
Marta is an amazing voice teacher. Kind and encouraging, she has helped me to grow as a singer both in technique and in confidence. She has also helped me to complete Grades 4 through 6 of my classical singing exams, and I have received distinctions each time.
My guitar teacher is both very fun and enthusiastic, and he teaches incredibly well – knowing how to tailor his lessons to his students’ needs. I would also recommend the school because of its friendly admin staff, who always reply quickly, and its great location. [electric guitar student]
Gabriele is such a friendly and helpful [violin] teacher. [My daughter] felt really comfortable with him as he made the lessons so enjoyable.
I have an excellent piano teacher – she is very patient, friendly and encouraging at all times. She also has the brilliant ability to break down the more complex aspects of a piece into simpler parts, which makes it easier to understand and learn them. She has a great technical knowledge of the piano and music theory as well.
I have really enjoyed my private piano lessons, which are tailored to my needs. My teacher is meticulous and passionate and very kind. And the school staff are professional and good at communication. The New School has reignited my love for music and piano. I felt supported and guided to complete my Grade 7 exam after years of taking a break from piano.
If you are looking to learn a new instrument, or how to sing, I couldn’t recommend Waltons New School of Music enough. It’s centrally located so is easy to get to, and the teachers are experts in their fields. The classes are taught in a relaxed environment, and they will no doubt leave you confident and competent in your chosen discipline. [Introducing Singing for Adults student]
Our teachers are listed in alphabetical order by surname. You can also filter teachers by department or area.
Click on an image or name to access a biography.
- All Faculty
- Drums • Percussion
- Ensembles
- Guitar • Bass • Ukulele
- Irish Music Tasters
- Jazz
- Leaving Certificate Music
- Music at Work Programme
- Music Technology
- Outreach Programme
- Piano • Keyboard
- Pre-Instrumental (Early Years) Music
- String Instruments
- Theory • Musicianship • Songwriting
- Traditional • Folk • World Instruments
- Voice (Singing)
- Wind Instruments
Lenka Dobai
Ana Dundovic
Sinéad Flynn
Grace Galligan
Siobhán Kavanagh
Jennifer McMahon
Joan O’Malley
Melanie O’Reilly
Jade Roche
