About Acadamh Ceoil

Fáilte/ Welcome

Acadamh Ceoil Chaoimhín Úi Dhochartaigh (Music Academy) is the North West's foremost hub for music teaching and learning – a centre of excellence that promotes participation and inclusivity. With dedicated instrument classes, group options, individual lessons and regular formal and informal performance opportunities there is something to suit all ages, abilities and interests.

Acadamh Ceoil Chaoimhín Úi Dhochartaigh (Music Academy) continues to develop opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to learn, create and perform in new and dynamic ways. With an 
outstanding concert hall at its core, together with
 supporting spaces for informal performance, 
learning and development, An tAcadamh Ceoil encourages and enables a transformative offering of musical discovery. We place equal emphasis on formal and non-formal instrumental progression routes,
 and are attuned to career opportunities in teaching, performance, management, creative production and enterprise.

Traditional Music

We offer music classes on a wide range of instruments, as well as in singing and sean-nós dancing. Our tuition is delivered in instrument specific small group settings or in individual lessons. We also offer mixed instrument performance group classes which will focus on repertoire building and arrangement.

Our main body of classes is open to all ages from 7 years upwards. We also offer a range of adult classes which are available in morning and evening time slots. 

All of our classes are streamed according to ability. (Students can self-select when registering online. The final level will be decided in class in week 1 by the tutor.)

Levels

Starter  – for complete beginners (Step grade level)

Foundation – for those with a good basic knowledge of the instrument and repertoire (Grades 1-3)

Progression – for intermediate level players (Grades 4-6)

Advanced – for more experienced players (Grades 7-8)

We ensure that an individual progression route is devised for each student. Should students wish to pursue grade exams, we offer accreditation through the London College of Music (which provides an opportunity to secure additional UCAS points for third level applicants).

Timetable overview

Monday: Concertina, Drums, Tin whistle (adult)
Tuesday: Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle, Button Accordion
Wednesday: Bodhrán, Harp, Piano, Tin Whistle
Thursday: Grúpa Ceoil, Drums, Uilleann Pipes, Fiddle
Flexible: Harmonica, Traditional Singing

Fees & Registration

For information on fees and to register for a class visit: Acadamh Ceoil Fees.

Our tutors

Molly Walls (Fiddle)
Orla Corrigan (Fiddle)
Dearbhla Scallon (Tin Whistle, Flute)
Shannon Duggan (Banjo)
Eleanor Gaffney (Concertina)
Diarmuid O’Kane (Piano)
John Goodman (Drums)
Tom Byrne (Harmonica, Button Accordion)
Saoirse Duggan (Button Accordion)
Emer Mallon (Harp)
Moya Sweeney (Bodhran)
Jack Warnock (Guitar)
Odhrán Sweeney (Guitar)
Jane Walls (Uilleann Pipes)
Paddy Kenny (Tin Whistle)

For more information on our tutors visit: Our tutors.

Our Policies

All of our tutors participate in child protection training and are vetted through Access NI to ensure their suitability for working with children and young adults. All go through an induction proper to enrolling on the Academy’s teaching staff and follow a strict code of conduct which provides excellent guidelines for their work with young people. The following policies are in place: Child Protection policy; Health and Safety policy; Equal Opportunity policy; Tutor Recruitment and Induction procedures; Codes of Conduct.

Opening Hours

Office hours are Monday – Friday 10am-5pm

Classes run from 3pm-9.15pm

Workshops and special events and some ensemble rehearsals will take place on Saturdays and Sundays.