Course Description

Designed for absolute beginners, this summer version of Waltons New School of Music’s Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Adults 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. The course has introduced hundreds of adult beginners to the basics of playing piano.

After the course, students can continue their tuition at the school with our Improvers Piano/Keyboard for Adults course or with private or partner lessons (see ‘What happens after the course?’ tab).

Requirements

Course participants will need to have acoustic pianos, digital pianos or electronic keyboards to practise with at home, as well as copies of The Classic Piano Course, Book I, by Carol Barratt (Chester Music) before the course begins. A full-size (88-key) acoustic or digital piano is recommended (rather than an electronic keyboard), as both have ‘weighted’ keys. (See the Recommended Instruments tab on this page for a list of recommended digital pianos, two of which are available from Waltons Music at discounts for enrolled students.)

Enrol in this course.

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Questions about the course?

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or call us on (01) 478 1884.

Have you enrolled in this course?

Download our Introductory Handout
for tips on how to get the most from it.

Stage System

This course covers Stage 1 of the New School’s ten-stage system of student progress and assessment, which culminates in the equivalent of a teaching or performing qualification (Stage 10) should the student progress that far. Participants who successfully complete the course can be issued with a certificate of completion of Stage 1. If you are taking the course, please let the school office know if you would like this certificate. See About Our Stage System for more information.

Private Lessons

Summer Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Adults is one of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private piano lessons in a range of genres for students of all ages and skill levels. See Piano • Keyboard Tuition for more information.

Daniel Smith

Dan has been a musician and music lover from an early age, beginning his piano studies at the age of eight. He has received both an ARIAM teaching diploma (scoring high marks in Harmony, Counterpoint, Form, History and Performance) and an LRIAM (Licentiate or advanced) teaching diploma, and he has taught piano, theory and musicianship to students of all ages and abilities both privately and at the New School for over a decade. He has also prepared numerous students, from Preliminary to Diploma, for exams with the ABRSM, RIAM and LCM examination boards. A multi-instrumentalist, Dan has played drums with his band Gypsies on the Autobahn for many years, touring extensively throughout Ireland and the UK; the band recently released their second album, Suspended. He has also worked extensively as both an accompanist and session player, improvising in a wide range of genres/styles for different groups.

Gabriela Wacławska

Hailing from Poland, where she played the piano from a young age, Gabriela graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in Piano Performance with a Pathway in Music, Media and Technology and earned her Master’s in Music and Media Technologies at Trinity College Dublin. She was awarded the Yamaha Entrepreneurship Prize for her interdisciplinary project Soundmirrors and received the E3 Scholarship from Trinity College. Gabriela is an experienced piano teacher, pianist, composer and vocalist. She has successfully prepared many students for grade exams and adapts her teaching to the needs and goals of a wide range of learners, from beginners to advanced players. She has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, playing works by Brahms, Poulenc, Szymanowski and Ravel, and her repertoire ranges from Bach and Chopin to Steve Reich, pop, jazz, and contemporary styles, inspiring students to explore music in its full breadth. Beyond teaching and solo performance, Gabriela also performs classical repertoire, reimagined pop and folk, and experimental works with her ensemble gabubabu. Recent highlights include leading sound workshops at Dublin’s Liberties Festival and performing in its closing concert, as well as playing the opening concert at the Guinness Storehouse.

Reviews • Testimonials

‘I would highly recommend this class – it far exceeded my expectations. And I’m so pleased that I decided to learn piano. It’s been such fun.’
– M. Bell

‘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

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

‘I would highly recommend this course as a great first step to learning piano/keyboard.’
– G. Byrne

‘The classes are well paced with a very hands-on approach; you feel you’re being properly guided along.’
– A. Corcoran

‘I have a cracking teacher and really enjoyed the course. I loved the logical way he took us through the basics and gave us heaps of encouragement and praise.’
– H. Daly

‘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

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

‘The very positive approach by the teacher was so encouraging!’
– D. Germaine

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

‘Excellent tuition. Very enjoyable, and makes difficult learning very easy. Highly recommended.’
– L. Johnson

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

‘I’ve wanted to play piano for years, and thanks to Waltons now I can!’
– P. McCooey

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the course and can’t wait to continue and fulfil my lifelong dream of playing the piano! And I couldn’t recommend my teacher highly enough. He is fantastic – so clear, thorough and patient, and an excellent communicator.’
– R. McDermott

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

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

‘I’ve wanted to learn piano for many years, and I’m glad I was finally bold enough to try. My teacher was not only patient but provided an atmosphere that wasn’t at all daunting or intimidating. I loved it!’
– N. Milne

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

‘A great way to start an instrument and start learning it in a way that suits your own needs.’
– T. O’Neill

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

‘Friendly environment that lets you progress at your own pace.’
– P. Yang

Have you taken – or are you taking – this course? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.

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2026 Summer Term
Course Schedules

JULY COURSE
5 weeks, 1 – 29 July 2026
Wednesdays 6.30 – 8 pm
Teacher: Gabriela Wacławska

AUGUST COURSE
4 weeks, 5 – 26 August 206tt
Wednesdays 6.30 – 8 pm
Teacher: Gabriela Wacławska

Tuition Fees

JULY COURSE
Standard Fee: €160
Discounted Fee: €144 *

AUGUST COURSE
Standard Fee: €130
Discounted Fee: €117 *

* Students taking more than one Summer Term group course, either concurrently or in another part of the Term, receive a 10% discount off the second group course. The discount applies both to courses taken concurrently (in the same part of the term) or in two different parts of the term. It can only be applied to Summer Term courses and to a second course with the same or lower tuition fee than the first course.

Enrolment

Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the course fee. Places in each course are limited to eight 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.

ENROL NOW

Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.

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Questions about the course?

CONTACT US

or call us on (01) 478 1884.

Recommended Instruments

If students don’t already have instruments to practice with at home, the following reasonably-priced ‘starter’ digital pianos – all available from Waltons Music – are recommended for this course:

• Nux WK310 Digital Piano Bundle • Economy:
  Piano + Piano Stool + Headphones • €633
• Nux WK310 Digital Piano Bundle • Plus:
  Piano + Adjustable Piano Bench + Headphones • €662
• Yamaha YDP145 Digital Piano Bundle • Black:
  Piano + Adjustable Piano Bench + Headphones • €946
• Yamaha YDP145 Digital Piano Bundle • Rosewood:
  Piano + Adjustable Piano Bench + Headphones • €946

Nux Digital Pianos can be purchased from Waltons Music at 5% discounts for students enrolled in the course. If you would like to obtain a discount, please contact Waltons with your instrument choice, as well as the product number, and include a scan or photo of your course payment receipt.

CONTACT WALTONS

What happens after the course?

Two weeks before the end of each Introducing course, participants will be given options for continuing their tuition with the New School if they would like to do so. Although an ‘improvers’ or continuation course cannot be scheduled on the same day/time as the Introducing course, one can be arranged if enough course participants would like to continue and the teacher has timetable availability or there is timetable availability with another teacher. Participants can also continue their tuition with private (one-to-one) lessons or ‘partner’ lessons with another class member. (See Tuition Options – Private • Partner • Small Group Lessons.) We are happy to discuss these options with you.