'In the beginning was noise. And noise begat rhythm. And rhythm begat everything else.'
– Mickey Hart
'My 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.'
– G. Gunn
'Great teacher, with great patience, who tries to get the best from my son at every lesson, while making it fun.'
– A. Gannon
Private, Partner & Group Lessons
The New School offers lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced students in drum kit (all styles, from beginner to diploma level, see Drum Tuition FAQs) and Irish percussion (bodhrán, bones and spoons). Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- or 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour bodhrán or drum kit Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are also available.
Go to Tuition Options for more information on private, partner and group lessons, and Enrolment & Fees for tuition fees and enrolment forms.
Group Courses for Beginners
Beginning students may join Introducing Bodhrán, which offers an in-depth introduction to this popular instrument, as well as Introducing Latin Percussion, which combines instruction in several instruments with ensemble playing in traditional and contemporary Latin rhythms and styles. Both courses are followed by courses for intermediate and advanced groups (subject to minimum enrolment).
Ensembles
Intermediate-advanced bodhrán students may be interested in joining Rig-a-Jig, our traditional music group. Drum kit students may be interested in joining one of our Jazz Ensembles.
Outreach
Drumming Around the World, Sounds African and Sounds Samba are exciting one-hour workshops combining dynamic live demonstrations with fun and fascinating activities designed to help young people develop their musical awareness through the exploration of rhythms and percussion instruments from Latin America or Africa.
Recommended Instruments & Payment Plans
In association with Waltons music shops, we have selected several recommended acoustic and electronic drum kits, bodhráns and congas for drum and percussion students at the New School. Because the cost of instruments shouldn’t deter students from starting lessons, we have also created payment plans for instruments priced €150 or more that allow students to purchase beginners' instruments or upgrade their existing instruments without a large financial outlay. Payment plans consist of an initial deposit and six monthly payments made by post-dated cheques or credit/Laser card payments. Go to Recommended Instruments for more information.
Drum Kit Practice
The New School’s drum kits are available for limited practice rental by currently-enrolled students only. Go to Practice Facilities for more information.
Faculty
David Burns (Irish / world percussion)
Ciara Byrne (Sounds Samba workshop)
Brian Fleming (Irish / African percussion, Sounds African workshop)
Evelio Galán (¡Deja que hable mi tambor! workshop)
Solomon Ijigade (Drumming Around the World and Sounds African workshops)
Jim Magill (drum kit)
Eddie McGinn (Latin percussion, ¡Deja que hable mi tambor! and Sounds Samba workshops)
Ian McTigue (drum kit, Irish percussion, Drumming Around the World workshop)
Hugh O'Byrne (drum kit)
Kevin O'Hare (Irish percussion)
Back to top