One of our teachers will be assigned to your school for centre for a residency, usually ranging from 10 to 30 weeks. He/she will teach weekly classes or lessons that can take place either during school, and integrated into the weekly timetable, or after school. Courses can be paid for by the school, parents association or parents themselves. Residencies can be one-off, they can continue for another period subject to student interest, or you can opt for a different instrument or subject for their next residency. Residences can also be directed towards a final ‘showcase’ performance for other students, teachers and parents.

Our courses, while providing sound instrumental or vocal tuition, aim to do more than that. They are also designed to engage participants in all aspects of active music making: listening, composing and performing. In other words, participants learn the fundamentals of music along with their instruments. Our purpose is to introduce a core subject, music, with an element of fun to young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience it, or simply to provide an accessible and rewarding start to further music education.

Our outreach teachers have been carefully selected for their ability to work with and inspire young students or special needs participants. All teachers are Garda vetted and fully insured.

Our outreach teaching faculty include:

• Gabriele Braga – violin lessons & courses
• David Burns – violin lessons & courses
• Marta Burns – singing lessons & Music for Me courses
• Sinéad Flynn – singing lessons & courses
• Éamonn Galldubh – bodhrán, guitar tin whistle & ukulele lessons & courses
• Cathy McEvoy – choir
• Sansão Maia – capoeira courses
• George Mercer – guitar & ukulele lessons & courses
• Balbina Rogala – Music for Me courses
• John Sweeney – bodhrán, guitar & tin whistle lessons & courses

Yes! Music education teaches creative thinking, self-discipline and cooperation. Children and young people who participate in music classes or lessons are more motivated, enjoy their school week more and tend to be better students. Countless studies have shown that intelligence, test scores, reading ability, mathematical ability and social skills are all greatly improved by the study of music and fine arts.

For advocacy articles on the critical importance of music education specifically and arts education in general, see the Why Music? page on our website.

Our requirements for outreach music courses are:

• All Group Courses. A large classroom or school hall with good ventilation and light, whiteboard/marker or blackboard/chalk.
• Bodhrán, Guitar, Irish Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Ukulele, Violin. Instruments for each student, at least one music stand for every two students (except Bodhrán course).
• Capoeira. A large, uncarpeted space cleared of desks and chairs, CD player.
• Choir and Singing. An acoustic or digital piano.
• Music for Me. Classroom percussion instruments, with the teacher bringing additional instruments.

Our requirements for outreach private lessons are:

• A suitable classroom.
• An instrument for each student to bring to lessons and practice at home.
• A music stand (for all instruments except bodhrán).
• An acoustic or digital piano (for piano, singing and ideally for violin).

We can provide your school or organisation with everything you need to get started, including information flyers and enrolment forms to distribute to students and parents.