About Us
Waltons New School of Music
‘For me, music making is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion.’
– Luciano Pavarotti
The pages in this part of our website are divided into two sections and include:
- THE NEW SCHOOL
- Our mission statement
- Our academic calendar and hours
- News about the school
- Our location page with maps
- Our teaching faculty, including brief biographies of all of our teachers
- Our administration, including brief information about our administrators
- Reviews and testimonials about every aspect of the New School and the tuition we offer
- A feedback form, where you can give us your feedback about your or child’s tuition
- Current job opportunities with the New School
- A site map of our entire website, including our external programmes, with links to all pages
- Our Contact page
- REGULATIONS & POLICIES
- Our Regulations
- Our COVID-19 Safety Policy
- Our Child Protection Policy
- Our Dignity at Work Policy
- Our Fire Safety Policy
- Our Environmental Policy
- Our Tuition Assistance Policy
- Our Privacy Policy
You can use the main menu or click on an image below to access a page.
I’ve been so impressed by the standard of teaching here, both in the school and online, as well as by the professional but welcoming atmosphere of the school. I have studied at a couple of other music schools, and Waltons is by far the best. I would recommend this school to anyone interested in music. Whatever your age or ability, you can’t go wrong with Waltons New School of Music.
Dav, my teacher, has been so helpful in helping me to understand my voice. Learning to sing well is a process, but I see good results already. A very big thank you that the school is here and that you’ve given me an opportunity to learn with a professional and to satisfy my desire to sing.
Every week at my [guitar] lessons is a new and positive experience. I appreciate my teacher’s expertise greatly and feel lucky for the opportunity to continue learning from him. Waltons New School of Music is very professional and has a friendly, welcoming environment.
My son is learning the piano and learning how to read music. In the last year and a half, he has gone from strength to strength and is currently on Grade 3. I would recommend Waltons New School of Music to any parent for their children and also to anyone who fancies the idea of learning an instrument. 10/10
Great place to learn music.
Excellent quality tuition in a relaxing and fun learning environment.
I think this is still one of Dublin’s best kept secrets. This school is great.
Best place to learn music in Dublin.
Very professional and friendly school with excellent teachers. I really enjoyed studying here.
My daughter attended Waltons for the introductory guitar course [Introducing Guitar for Children] and has continued with an improvers course for almost two years. She really enjoys it. Her teacher is great – very calm, encouraging and patient, and he doesn’t talk down to them. Every week I see progress and her personal pride in playing a little more accurately and fluidly each time. The atmosphere in the building from all staff is one of professionalism, kindness and welcome.
I have been learning flute and piano at the school for the past two years. I really enjoy coming to lessons, and the staff at the school are very friendly and approachable. My teachers are great, and their inspiration has motivated me to continue…. The school is also very accessible by any means of transport. I have recommended it to many of my friends.
Friendly admin. staff and great teachers. Very pleased overall.
I have been studying singing with Waltons for three years now, and I have found it to be such a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. My voice has really improved, and both the teaching standard and professionalism of the school are very high. My teacher Sinéad Flynn has been particularly helpful to me, and I really enjoy my lessons!
All together I would give the [Introducing Guitar for Teens] course out of 10 – great teacher, great staff, great facilities – Waltons has it all.
The school has an open enrolment policy, so if you are motivated to study music you will be welcomed. There is no discrimination against older students. In fact, the school is very supportive of older people – either for the simple pleasure of music making or for improvement through grade exams.
The school has a welcoming atmosphere and a very high standard of teaching that strives to meet the student’s personalised goals. Competitions, scholarships, etc. are great opportunities for students. [voice student]
Waltons’ music lessons are world class. The teachers go out of their way to encourage their students and make the lessons more enjoyable for them.
Myself, my husband, my daughter and now my granddaughter all study or have studied here. Speaks for itself!
As a past musician who had not played an instrument for 30 years, Waltons and [my teacher] gave me back my music. For that I will always be grateful.
I highly recommend Waltons – excellent courses available and groups to join which are led by enthusiastic directors. With Waltons, you can’t go wrong.
Waltons provide tuition that is far superior to anything else I have experienced. I feel that my daughter (who is 11) has been made to feel very comfortable with her own abilities and is challenged to improve. Most of all, she seems to enjoy music, to be getting an appreciation of it. We are not at all a musical family, but she is showing an interest which is being fostered in a very natural way. [parent of guitar student]
I was delighted to hear that such a renowned music school was now offering online music tuition. I live in the west and had great difficulty finding a piano teacher near me who could teach my skill level. (I wanted to work on a performing diploma.) My piano lessons with Waltons so far have been great – everything I could have hoped for. I have a superb teacher who is both encouraging and very clear in her advice and instructions, and I’m confident that she’ll prepare me well for my diploma.
I cannot thank you enough. My cello teacher always goes above and beyond in my lessons. And the office staff are knowledgeable, warm and friendly. It’s a lovely place to be a student.
Waltons New School of Music fills an important gap in music education as it is open to newcomers and amateurs, especially adults. It caters for all – from ‘hobbyists’ to top grade exams – and provides wonderful opportunities for music making. Welcoming and non-judgmental, yet pushing for individual best standards. Tá failte romhat!
Excellent [voice] teacher. Excellent school. Thanks for giving me the confidence to get in touch with my real singing voice. Music is one of the greatest gifts we have been blessed with.
Waltons New School of Music and my excellent teacher gave me the opportunity both to learn and achieve something that I didn’t think was possible for me. Through combination of healthy challenge and empathetic guidance, I learnt and grew in ways that I didn’t think I would in such a short space of time. Thank you…. [Songwriting Workshop participant]
From my point of view the teaching at the school is top class.
I enjoyed the [Introducing Singing for Adults] course thoroughly and learned a lot. I would definitely recommend this course and Waltons New School of Music to anybody thinking of taking up singing lessons. The atmosphere is friendly and professional, I personally learned a lot and have decided to sign up for further lessons.
I only started recently, and as a mature student I was a bit apprehensive about going back to music after many many years – but both Andriy, my piano teacher, and Cathy, my fiddle teacher, made me feel at ease, and from week one I have just enjoyed it! Everyone in the school is so friendly and helpful – from the people in the office giving me information on courses and taking time to help me with any queries I had, to the teachers, who are brilliant. I would definitely recommend Waltons – a very welcoming place for students of all ages. Great location. Great teachers. Great staff. A positive experience from the very start!
My piano teacher is super nice and patient, so kind and always encouraging – I truly like her. Very nice staff as well. It felt like home. Thanks everybody – you are all lovely!
Thanks for making the learning very user friendly. I found myself looking forward to coming into Waltons every week for both the learning and the laughter, both of which were always in plentiful supply!
There is a really pleasant atmosphere. The teachers are always available and proactive, as well as the people who work at reception.
Great school with really great teachers, who have a lovely way with children. We would definitely recommend! [mother of Introducing Violin for Children student]
The school is easy to get to, the teachers are great and I’ve learned a lot in just one term. [piano student]
I have experienced a wonderful time at Waltons so far and plan to continue my lessons. The service offered is exceptional and very professional. I would have no hesitation in recommending this school.
Really enjoyed my time at this school. Friendly, professional, with excellent teachers and lovely office staff. Highly recommended.
Overall, an excellent place for learning just about anything having to do with music. It’s conveniently located, classes are affordable, and the atmosphere is great – lots of people, of all ages, with a shared love of music.
Waltons provides such a relaxed but professional environment, conducive to learning. [piano student]
The tuition is reasonably priced, the teachers are good at what they do, and I’m amazed at the huge range of lessons, courses and groups offered!
I’ve known Waltons New School of Music for many years, and I’ve always had very good experiences with its exceptional teaching staff and level of education.
Sinéad is a wonderful teacher. Every week she has encouraged me with her positive feedback, and I have gained a lot of confidence about my singing since starting lessons with her. I would recommend Sinéad and Waltons New School of Music to anyone who enjoys music. I also like the fact that the school accommodates both online and face-to-face tuition, and it’s both very central in town and easy to access by public transport. Finally, I have booked rooms in the school to practice my singing outside of lessons – which is an excellent facility.
I highly recommend Waltons New School of Music. I come from a conservatory background, and the level of tuition is as good. My concert flute teacher Andrew Keeling is very professional and passionate about music and teaching. He brought me to another level with very advanced pieces, while adapting to my learning rhythm and providing the best advice.
I highly recommend Waltons New School of Music for those who want to challenge themselves in life. [voice student]
Great tuition. In-house concerts and scholarships are great opportunities for young players.
So-Young is a great teacher who really personalises her jazz piano lessons to cater to each student – what they want to learn, their strengths & weaknesses, etc. Lessons were very fun and had a good mix of comping and soloing. The school as whole has a great location, wonderful staff, high quality lessons and in-school resources.
I’m really happy with Waltons. [bodhrán student]
The great thing about Waltons is that the school runs to suit the student – for me that was so beneficial and a huge change. A great place to learn.
My son’s piano lessons are great, and the school staff are always friendly and helpful.
I had an excellent piano teacher for my Intensive Lesson – very clear, organised, friendly and patient! Doing a lesson with him was a pleasure, and I plan to continue my piano/keyboard studies here. I highly recommend the school for its excellent teachers, very helpful administrative staff, user friendly website and convenient and accessible location!
I was very satisfied with the quality of teaching, the time management, the professional school facilities such as rooms and the environment of many instruments being taught under one roof.
If you are looking to start the wonderful journey of music or just to improve your skills and meet like-minded people, this place would be an excellent choice! All of the staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and I can’t wait for my next lesson every week. It will make you better musician without any stress attached.
I had piano lessons with Lenka and voice lessons with Fiadh here. Lenka was always very energetic and positively engaging. We had a lot of fun, but I also managed to complete Grades 3 and 4 under her supervision. I only worked with Fiadh through the Summer Term, but I feel we achieved a lot in that time frame, and it was exactly what I wanted. Her methodical approach, attention and professionalism are admirable. The staff at Waltons are all very nice and helpful, and the building with its wooden floors, narrow staircases and creative atmosphere quite charming itself. Highly recommend.
The [Introducing Guitar for Adults] tutor is excellent, patient and easy to understand. He makes the class very enjoyable. I also really like the friendly atmosphere in the school. All of the staff are very helpful and professional.
l am really enjoying my flute lessons with Waltons New School of Music. As a student who has never take any music lessons before, l have learned a lot here and really enjoyed it. My teacher is professional, very patient and always encourages me. He even encouraged me to participate in the school’s Most Promising Beginner scholarship competition, even though I had been learning the flute for only 2 ½ months – and I won Third Prize! I see myself making a lot of progress here. The school administrators are very nice too. I highly recommend this school.
Great intro course. Great teacher, staff and location. Great experience! [Introducing 5-String Banjo]
I’m into my 4th year of [guitar] tuition and have progressed way beyond my expectations – which I thought were ambitious. The environment in the school is serious in terms learning and progression, yet hugely developmental and enjoyable. My tutor is the consummate professional. He has a teaching style that is easy to engage with and breeds confidence and encouragement – all delivered with a subtle but effective eye towards delivery beyond expectations. I’ve never not looked forward to a class. That says it all for me!
I started to play cello in my senior years, and my in-school lessons with Enrien have been invaluable. He has given me a great introduction to the basics of cello playing. The school staff have always been helpful, and the school’s city centre location has been great.
Waltons New School of Music is extremely well organised and professional. The teachers are excellent, and the facilities are extremely good.
Its burren of high ceiling rooms supports volumes of happiness.
I have been attending Waltons New School of Music for the past year, and it’s safe to say that I have run out of superlatives when it comes to the place. My own personal experience has been truly amazing from day one.
Firstly, you meet the people in the office, who couldn’t be more welcoming, helpful, and patiently informant. They do what I believe is a tough job very, very well.
I am learning traditional guitar with John Sweeney, and I’d like to take this opportunity to tell anyone thinking about joining up or getting started that this man has a gift, and I have to thank him on a regular basis for not keeping this wonderful gift to himself. He is unbelievably patient, is superbly knowledgeable about music and is just so down to earth and makes the lesson so enjoyable. You can see from him that he clearly loves his job, as he gets the same joy that the student does when things start to come together.
I also attend the Trad Slow Sessions on Friday evenings, and these too are excellent.
I would highly recommend Waltons New School of Music to anyone that is interested in taking up an instrument as I feel that you’re in good hands, you’re getting value for your money (they even have a discount for parking your car in Dury Street Carpark) and you will ultimately come out of there a far better musician than when you went in.
I regret not coming here years ago. I would be a much better guitarist had I done so. Don’t even think twice about it, just go and get lessons, don’t regret it like me. I would highly recommend Waltons. [Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics student]
The teachers here are the best I’ve ever come across. I have been in the school for seven years, and it has never let me down.
If you are looking to learn a new instrument, or how to sing, I couldn’t recommend Waltons New School of Music enough. It’s centrally located so is easy to get to, and the teachers are experts in their fields. The classes are taught in a relaxed environment, and they will no doubt leave you confident and competent in your chosen discipline. [Introducing Singing for Adults student]
Paddy Kiernan is a charismatic musician and a great teacher. His greatest asset is his continuously positive and enthusiastic approach to teaching, which derives from his deep love for music. He has encouraged me to work methodically to improve myself as a musician, while also helping me to understand my potential. I’m very lucky to have a teacher like him.
The school has a warm and welcoming environment with a very courteous and helpful administration and excellent teachers. [mandolin student]
My children have been taking online lessons with Barbara Dagg, who is an outstanding piano teacher with the experience and patience to inspire even the most challenging of children. She tried different techniques and ways of teaching to find something that worked well for both of my children. For my oldest, she was supportive and understanding as she went into her first pre-exam and gave her confidence. For my youngest, she tried different ways of working with her to find something that stuck. They have both progressed tremendously in the last year and enjoy playing. We have had a great experience with the school, and I have already recommended it to other families.
Relaxed and friendly atmosphere, helpful staff, great teachers.
Great school. Very good, caring teachers make learning enjoyable.
My classical guitar teacher Andrew Keeling has a huge knowledge of music and vast experience in the music industry (just Google his name and you will be impressed!). He can explain the most difficult things in a simple and comprehensible way. I was a complete beginner when I started, and I can’t believe how fast I’m learning and how much I’m enjoying the lessons and playing this instrument. I would recommend Waltons New School of Music to anyone who wants to explore the mind-blowing world of classical guitar.
I recently started learning bass guitar in the school and couldn’t be happier. David Mooney is a great teacher, and I’m really enjoying my lessons. I appreciate his vast music knowledge and experience, his flexibility and his passion for teaching and for the instrument he teaches – passion that he is really able to transfer to students. We explore many music genres and techniques in my lessons, and at the same time I’m learning improvisation, which I really love because it gives space to creativity. If you want to learn bass guitar, I would definitely recommend lessons here. The school is a guarantee for music lovers. If I only could, I’d take everything they offer!
Our group is made up of students studying to become music teachers in the public schools of Denmark, and we attended your Introduction to Irish Music and Tin Whistle Taster. I must say that both of them were perfectly planned. The Introduction was delivered with humour and a smile, making a sometimes heavy subject easy to understand, and the Tin Whistle Taster was great, focusing on different methods of teaching beginners to play.
We had a great time and experience at Waltons New School of Music, and I would highly recommend that music students at our school do the same if they choose Dublin as their destination for future study trips. [Irish Music Tasters]
David is calm and understanding teacher who is very good at explaining and imparting his knowledge of the violin. Would definitely recommend. And it’s convenient and easy to take online lessons on my laptop from home. I have had a very good experience with the school overall – great teachers and helpful staff in the school office.
There is a bright future for my kids here, despite coming from a background where no one was interested in music. There is no better place than Waltons – an absolute heaven for music.
My son takes drum kit lessons with Zach at the New School. Zach uses a variety of teaching techniques, making the lessons both interesting and enjoyable. The school has a great location and facilities for teaching.
I have a very friendly and understanding voice teacher. I learned a lot from the lessons, and she has a wealth of knowledge. She approached the lessons with ease, and I felt comfortable singing with her. I looked forward to my lessons every week and I would highly recommend her to other students who wish to pursue voice/singing lessons. I also like that there are both online and in-person tuition options. I found it difficult to find online singing lessons, and it was very beneficial for me as I do not live in the greater Dublin area and I am on the move a lot. Waltons New School of Music offers a great range of subjects and a large variety of instruments to learn. The enrolment process was straightforward, and their communication regarding enrolment and finalising lessons was very quick and efficient.
As an adult student it can be quite daunting starting a new instrument, but Waltons has been extremely supportive and I felt at ease from day one. My Friday evening [tenor saxophone] class is fast becoming the highlight of the week!
Sinéad is a fantastic [voice] teacher. She’s super attuned and knows how to put her students at ease, creating a space for them to take risks and explore their musicality and voice. She’s also incredibly encouraging and engages with the person in front of her in a holistic, empathic, super-experienced and grounded way. And she paces the level of challenge really well. In general, I’ve had such a positive experience in the school; all the staff are lovely and extremely helpful, balancing warmth and professionalism. A beating heart of music education in Dublin’s city centre.
My personal experience is that Waltons New School of Music has a long tradition of fostering musical talent in its students, and my tutors have continued that tradition with respect, flexibility, skill and creativity. I really enjoy working with Adam, my Irish harp teacher, and he has helped me develop my own skills and style at my own pace.
Great school, great teaching, great experience.
Waltons have an exceptional range of courses suitable for any music lover.
I really enjoy working with my [voice] teacher – she is wonderful. I very much like the atmosphere at Waltons, as do my family. I look forward to next term and to improving my voice and technique.
I’m absolutely delighted that I signed up for the [Introducing Irish Fiddle] course, which is at the perfect level for a group of adult beginners. Rebecca is a fantastic teacher with an approachable and accessible teaching style, and she communicates so well with our group. There is a lovely rapport in the class. Overall, the New School has a great atmosphere and is a great environment for learning music. The staff and teachers are so professional and accommodating. I would definitely recommend it to a friend!
There is an overall ‘can do’ atmosphere; very accessible and friendly; no ageism; good opening hours.
A very good school that I can recommend with great confidence. [piano student]
The New School has a great range of teachers and courses, friendly staff and central location in the city. [piano student]
I enjoyed the [Introducing Singing for Adults] course immensely and learned a lot. The teacher was excellent and I liked the whole welcoming set up in Waltons New School of Music.
I had no expectations going to my first [Introducing 5-String Banjo] class, but when it was over, I knew I was in the right place and was going to love it! Paddy is such an affable man, blessed with great patience, who made learning such a pleasure. The class was just so engrossing that the hour seemed to fly by. Prior to my tuition, I was a complete novice musically. And although I’m still very much in the embryonic stage of my musical journey, after my tuition with Paddy I feel that I’ve come such a long way already. I simply can’t stress enough how much enjoyment and knowledge I derive from my class every week.
I also love the ‘old school’ charm that the New School of Music offers – those brief interactions of curiosity and encouragement with students of other instruments, as we await our respective classes.
Waltons New School of Music is a fantastic place to learn a new instrument; the wide variety of tuition available should provide something for all comers.
Have been to the Jazz Vocal Workshop at Waltons as well as one-on-one singing lessons. Teachers are personable, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, so too are the admin staff. I would highly recommend the school and will be signing up again soon for more intensive singing lessons!
David is a truly fantastic violin teacher. He is full of enthusiasm and has great patience, keeping the lessons fun while progress is being made. I would recommend Waltons New School of Music because of its great teachers, very accessible location, and good communication from the school.
After completing my first year of Leaving Cert. Music, I feel as though I am much more knowledgeable about music as a whole, thanks to the tuition! Also, the atmosphere of the school is extremely welcoming and the staff are lovely! [Leaving Cert. Music Two-Year Course]
Great teachers. Very family friendly. Brilliant one to one teaching.
Excellent tutor who takes personal interest in our progress. I am learning so much, am enjoying every class and have improved significantly since I started the course. [Introducing Tin Whistle]
I recommend Waltons New School of Music without reservation to anyone who has a desire to learn a musical instrument or take a refresher course.
Waltons is simply the best.
My [violin] tutor is amazingly patient and always provided me with so many alternative ways to approach a difficult section within a piece I was practicing for my exam. The feedback always started with the positive! What I especially about taking online lessons was not having to factor in the travel time. And regarding the school, I was made to feel part of a community, whether calling into the office or emailing. Everyone in the office and on the faculty is so supportive.
We have been here for three years now, and our kids are very happy in Waltons and with their teachers. The teaching at Waltons is a professional combination of enjoyment and tuition. As a result, both my children have been inspired by their teachers to practice their instruments. Playing guitar or drums is not a chore anymore but has become a passion for them.
I can’t speak too highly of Waltons New School of Music and of Paddy Kiernan’s tuition for the banjo. I love what I am learning and go away from each [Introducing 5-String Banjo] class more motivated to learn.
My piano lessons here have been a very enjoyable experience. I’ve been here for three years now, and a more personal and friendly school you will not find anywhere else. I can highly recommend the New School as an accessible and progressive learning environment for all levels and ages.
