Group Course for Beginners

Comments from Students
Teachers
Schedules & Fees
Enrolment

Held in the New School’s digital piano lab and designed for absolute beginners, this 10-week course encourages the development of each student’s abilities in an atmosphere of relaxed concentration. Students learn the fundamentals of keyboard technique – as well as basic music theory, sight-reading and chordal accompaniment – while progressing through a varied and interesting repertoire that ranges from classical to pop. Headphones allow students to hear themselves play without hearing the rest of the class and enable the teacher to work individually with each student. Alternatively, students can learn to sight read and play together without headphones in an ensemble setting.

Students are advised to purchase The Classic Piano Course, Book I by Carol Barratt, available in Waltons music shops, before the start of the course.

Participating students will need to have an acoustic or digital piano to practice at home. If you do not already have an instrument for this course, please note that Waltons music shops offer suitable instruments, all of which are available on payment plans, for students at the New School. Go to Recommended Instruments for more information.

Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Adults is one of our group courses for adult beginners. Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Children is offered for Children aged 6-8. Private, partner, group and intensive piano lessons are also available for students at all levels, from beginner to advanced. Go to Departments & Faculty - Piano & Keyboard for more information.

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Comments from Students

'A perfect course for beginners. I've already recommended it to a friend and she's starting next term. I highly recommend Waltons for anybody who always wanted to learn to play an instrument but never had a chance. It's never too late, and once you start you won't regret it!'
– V. de Almeida

'I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Never having done any musical training, I can hardly believe all I have learned.'
– R. Butler

'Did not think learning piano could be so easy and fun!'
– D. Lafon

'The teacher was great, and very patient!'
– S. O'Connell

'I was surprised at my ability to progress in quite a short period of time.'
– A. McGrath

'Nice environment with proper time given to all students in a group class.'
– K. Jason

'Gentle patience, with individual attention coupled with a welcoming smile, made this class a joy.'
– J. McNamara

'[V]ery well structured, with a patient and friendly teacher.'
– S. Flanagan

'Exceeds expectations. Didn't think we would get so much individual time.'
– S. Stack

'If you're an adult it's never too late to learn an instrument. Best adult class I've gone to. I will be doing another course here soon.'
– L. Dowdall

'Personally I felt that, being older, I may have been left behind, but small classes give plenty of one-on-one time with the tutor.'
– P. Bissett

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Teachers

Liza Hingerty

Liza studied both piano and music theory at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, obtaining her ALCM and GNEIM diplomas. She went on to teach at the Rathdown School for seven years, as well as continuing her musical studies with voice lessons, before coming to the New School. She has performed widely both as a jazz singer (with her own Trio and Quartet as well as numerous other musicians) and pianist (specialising in music of the 1930s and 40s, from George Gershwin to Cole Porter) at numerous Irish and Italian venues, including The Button Factory, The Bleu Note and Le Basement Jazz Club, among othes. She has been teaching piano and keyboard at the New School, to students at all skill levels, for over a decade.

Ronan O'Sullivan

Ronan studied clarinet, saxophone and piano at third level at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, earning both a Teacher’s Diploma and a BA degree in Performance. He then completed his postgraduate training at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Ronan has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra, Irish Youth Wind Ensemble and the European Youth Wind Orchestra. Aside from his extensive teaching practice (he has taught at the New School for over a decade), Ronan performs regularly with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and performs many concerts as a freelance musician around Ireland.

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2012-2013 Summer Term Schedules & Fees

July

CLASS 1 (Liza Hingerty)
5 weeks, 2 – 30 July 2013
Tuesdays 6.30 – 8.30 pm

CLASS 2  (Liza Hingerty)
5 weeks, 3 – 31 July 2013
Wednesdays 6.30 – 8.30 pm

Tuition Fee: €170

August

(Ronan O'Sullivan)
4 weeks, 7 – 28 August 2013
Wednesdays 6.30 – 8.30 pm

Tuition Fee: €135

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Enrolment

Enrolment for this course requires a completed enrolment form and full payment of tuition fees. (Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a 2013-2014 Summer Term Enrolment Form.) Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Early enrolment is recommended, as places in each class are limited to eight.

Purchasing this course as a gift? Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a Gift Certificate Booking Form.

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