About the New School

Where are the classes held?
Where can I park?
How can I get there by public transport?
Who is eligible for discounts?
Are there sequels to the beginners group courses?
What is the difference between group courses and group lessons?
Are the same courses offered every year?
How can I find out what you are offering next term or next year?
How do I enrol?
My question isn't listed here. Who can I contact?

How do I know if a lesson or course is the right level for me?

Private lesson tuition, because it is one-to-one, can be adjusted to suit your level (beginner, intermediate or advanced), and whatever your previous musical experience is. Our courses for beginners are just that; in other words, there are no expectations that you will have any previous musical experience. If a class or ensemble is described as intermediate level, then some previous experience and training is expected. If you don't know if your experience is enough to start at the level of an intermediate class, it is best to talk to us.

Where are the classes held?

Lessons, classes and workshops are held at Waltons New School of Music, 69 South Great George's Street, or our annex classrooms in the Centre of English Studies building, 31 Dame Sreet, unless a different location is specified (see our printable facilities map for details). Room numbers are listed on our timetable, posted daily at the school, and generally do not change from week to week.

Where can I park?

The New School is located in Dublin city centre, and there are several car parks in our immediate vicinity, as well as limited on-street parking (go to Location for a map). The school has an agreement with Park Rite car parks that all students, parents and faculty can avail of special student discount rates of €2 per hour or €10 per day at any of their Dublin car parks (the closest is on Drury Street). To avail of these discounts, simply drop by the school office with your parking ticket, which we will stamp for you, and show it to the car park attendant when you leave. Because of our central location, it is also very convenient to take public transport or travel to the school by bike. (There is a Dublin Bikes station on Exchequer Street, a one-minute walk from the school.)

How can I get there by public transport?

The 16, 16A, 19, 19A, 65, 65B, 83 and 122 buses all stop nearby. The last LUAS stop is at St. Stephen's Green, a five-minute walk from the school. The nearest DART stations are Pearse Street and Tara Street, a ten-minute walk.

Who is eligible for discounts?

We offer a 10% discount on 30-minute private lessons for over-65s, unemployed persons and third-level students with valid identification; these discounts also apply to Lunchtime Lessons (30-minute lessons taken between 10 am and 2 pm, Monday – Friday) and to additional lessons taken by a single student or lessons taken by additional students from the same family. Discounts do not apply to group lessons. Tuition assistance for lesson fees based on financial need is also available.

Are there sequels to the beginners’ group courses?

Several of our group courses do have subsequent levels in which to enrol. Or you can go on to more advanced group tuition (see Intermediate-Advanced Courses & Workshops). If not, you can enrol for private (one-to-one) lessons or partner/group lessons with other course participants.

What is the difference between group courses and group lessons?

Group courses take place on fixed days/times, and students can enrol for them individually. Partner and group lessons can be scheduled for any day/time of week, subject to availability, and students enrolling for them are responsible for forming their own groups. (Booking cannot be confirmed until enrolment forms and tuition fees are received from all group members.)

Are the same courses offered every year?

It is not always possible to know as much as a year in advance whether a particular course will be offered, and we are constantly developing new courses and modifying existing ones. Our best recommendation is to try to take the course when it is offered. Be aware, also, that in order to improve instruction most of our group courses have strict enrolment limits, so don't wait to enrol if you know you want to be in a particular class.

How can I find out what you are offering next term or next year?

While we try to plan our schedule of lessons and courses well in advance, it is not always possible to know as much as a year in advance whether a course will be offered. Summer Term lessons and courses are generally posted on the web by early May, and the next year's lessons and courses by mid-July, at which time printed information will also be available.

How do I enrol?

First, you should decide what you would like to enrol for, and the fee. Group course and ensemble fees are listed in the relevant sections; private and group lesson fees are listed separately (go to Enrolment & Fees). You can print enrolment and booking forms from this web site and may register in person, by post, by email or by fax.

My question isn't listed here. Who can I contact?

Contact our administrative staff by telephone (478 1884) during office hours (10am-8pm, Monday-Friday and 10am-6pm, Saturday) or e-mail, and we will be happy to advise you. We are:

Josephine Boyle, Sarah Cunningham, Barry Shanahan, Eoghan Ó Flainn (Administrators)
John Mardirosian (Director)

Waltons New School of Music