Musical Explorations
A Pre-Instrumental Music Course
for Children Aged 5-6
Next course starts 3 May 2025.
'The teacher does a brilliant job with the course. Each child is listened to and well looked after, whether the classes are in the school or online. My son loves the course and has learned lots of new things. He looks forward to every Saturday.'
– N. Anisimov
'I like the variety, the different instruments introduced and the visiting teachers. My son really enjoys the songs, and he loves to sing them during the week.'
– I. Doicheva
'The teacher...is lovely, very caring, a natural educator.'
– Z. He
'[My daughter] really enjoyed coming to her class. It was the highlight of her week, and we would listen to the songs she had learnt all through the week. It was great to see her grow confident amongst the other children. The teacher was great with the kids and always brought a smile to [my daughter's] face. Thanks again for your help!'
– S. McKenzie
Course Description
Part of Waltons New School of Music's Music for Me pre-instrumental programme, Musical Explorations, for children aged 5-6, follows on from our Musical Adventures course (ages 4-5) but can also be a great starting point for children with no previous classroom music experience. The course provides children with a range of individual, partner and group activities and games through which they can work with more advanced concepts such as music reading, tempo, dynamics and timbre. In addition to working with a number of classroom percussion instruments, children develop their music reading skills with recorder playing.
Children can repeat this course as long as they remain within the age range of the course. The activities will vary each time the course runs, and the course's key concepts will be reinforced through repetition.
Enrol your child in this course.
Questions about the course?
See our main Pre-Instrumental Music Programme page for more information about the programme as a whole and Music for Me FAQs page for some frequently asked questions about our Music for Me courses. You can also use our Contact Form or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Parent Participation
Parents are encouraged to volunteer as 'helpers' for one of the classes, although this is not a requirement. Volunteers are there not only to assist the Music for Me teacher with class activities but also to understand better what their children are learning. Participating in your child's class shows how much you value his or her musical discoveries!
If you have enrolled your child in one of these courses, please complete our Parent Participation Form before the course begins, indicating what date or dates you are available to participate.
Child Safety & COVID-19
The health and safety of children attending lessons and courses at the New School is of the utmost importance to us.
First, the New School has a comprehensive Child Protection Policy in place, and all teachers are Garda vetted.
And second, although the COVID-19 pandemic is thankfully behind us, the disease remains a threat. So with the health and safety of both students and staff at the New School in mind, we have retained some of the equipment and policies we put in place during the pandemic to make in-school tuition safe. See our COVID-19 Safety Policy page for more information.
Jade Roche
Jade has been immersed music since the age of four, studying both piano and voice. She also spent ten years in the Billie Barry Stage School and was awarded a Music Merit Award by her secondary school for her dedication to music. She graduated from BIMM with an honours BA Degree in Modern Commercial Music. Jade has an extensive background in performance and has performed in the then Point Depot, the National Concert Hall, the Gaiety Theatre and Liberty Hall. With her artist project Pastiche, she has performed her original music in the 3Olympia, the Academy, Collins Barracks, the Button Factory and Whelan's. She has also performed internationally at Primavera Pro in Barcelona and Iceland Airwaves. Jade's love of writing and performing music is rivalled only by her love of teaching it. And she derives great satisfaction in helping others to succeed in their vocal, piano and pre-instrumental music journeys. Her teaching philosophy is always to learn just as much from her students as they learn from her.
'My teaching philosophy is rooted in mutual learning, where both students and I grow together. I am also committed to continuously evolving my teaching practices, staying up to date with the latest pedagogies and syllabi. I understand this is more than music for many students; it is also an outlet for social interaction, personal development and growth. I bring real-world experience into the classroom, helping students develop their skills while fostering a love for music. My goal is to empower students to reach their full potential and discover their unique musical voices while having fun!'
2024-2025 Third Term
Course Schedule & Fee
9 weeks, 3 May – 28 June 2025
Saturdays 12.15 – 1 pm
Course Type: In-School
Tuition Fee: €153
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the course fee. Places are limited to twelve and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Many of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
Have you have enrolled your child?
Please complete a Parent Participation Form.
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
See our Music for Me FAQs or
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
a comprehensive music centre in the heart of Dublin.