How long do lessons last for?
Our individual lessons are 30 mins long, our group classes vary in length depending on the group size.
Do I need to pay any registration or enrollment fee?
We have a policy where you pay an enrollment fee to the value of 3 classes which rolls over each term and is then deducted from the final term of the year. Please see terms and conditions for further information.
Can I learn through blended learning?
Yes, of course. Over the past few months we have seen great benefits to doing online lessons and we are happy to facilitate whatever suits a student. This set up might especially suit a student that lives more than a few miles from our centres. Making the trip weekly to take an in-class lesson could be difficult whereas having an in-class lesson every second or third week might be more manageable, allowing for the other weekly lessons to be done online.
What are your online lessons like?
We use the Zoom app to carry out our lessons online. We send you a link to join us in advance of your lesson and your lesson operates in much the same way as it would if you were in class! We can share music on the screen for you to see and also make a recording of your lesson so you have a full video reference for later! You will need to have the Zoom app downloaded on your device with the screen positioned so that we can see you and your instrument clearly. If you are interested in online lessons we can go through the simple set up process with you before your lesson! In our experience online lessons work brilliantly. Provided you have a quiet, private space and access to an internet connection via data or wifi, our online lessons work a treat! Your coach may need to send you some resources ahead of the lesson like PDFs or accompaniment tracks but once you have those you’re set! Online lessons are ideal for anyone who may not be able to attend their in person lesson as an alternative so that you never have to miss a lesson. We have so much experience with online lessons and they have been so effective that we have lots of students signing up for online only lessons with us so that they can learn in the comfort of their own homes.
What if a student or teacher misses a lesson due to illness or otherwise?
If the student misses their lesson the teacher will spend the lesson time preparing material for you. This will be sent by email with an instructional video. Otherwise, you can jump online from the comfort of your own home and have an online lesson instead!
If the teacher misses we will arrange to reschedule the lesson at a time that suits the student or we will arrange to have one of our other teachers at Youngstars substitute for that week.
What age should my son/daughter start lessons?
Most of our classes are for ages 7 upwards, but we recommend our Little Stars Musicianship Classes for students in Junior & Senior Infants classes, where they lay a great foundation for learning an instrument or starting a vocal class. The only time we would advise against starting a child this young is when we feel they may not be able to maintain good concentration in a 30minute 1to1 lesson. We have lots of classes to choose from after the age of 7 for both group and individual classes.
What times and days do you teach?
Our standard hours are Mon- Fri in Gaelscoil Mhuscraí in Blarney 2.35pm – 7:05pm, and Firmount N.S 2:40-6PM.
Our choirs are in the evenings (after work hours
Our office contact hours are Mon – Fri 9a.m – 1:30pm.
Do I need to have my own instrument?
It is important that you have an instrument to practice on at home. For piano students, we recommend a piano or electric piano but for young beginners a keyboard is suitable. If you are thinking of purchasing an instrument let us know and we would be happy to make some suggestions.
Do your students do exams?
Students are welcome to take exams, but it’s not a requirement. We teach from the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) Syllabus, Academy of Popular Music Syllabus and RockSchool syllabus.
Do you have measures in place so that your lessons are Covid-19 safe?
Yes, we are constantly reviewing our measures to ensure the safety for all of our students and staff. Please view our full Covid-19 policy and rules.