EDUCATION:
Music Lessons
Come and engage with traditional instruments and music through our weekly classes for all ages and levels of ability.
While our classes are primarily for adult learners, children aged 8+ are welcome. From time to time, we may be able to offer a limited number of youth scholarships, subject to timing and availability.
Instruments taught
We teach music lessons in Flute, Banjo, Fiddle, Bodhrán, Harp, Whistle, Mandolin, Concertina, Singing, and more.
Class structure and schedule
Lessons take place at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith (unless specified as online), during term time, in a group setting. Classes are organised in tiers from beginners to intermediate and advanced, depending on numbers and availability. Lessons run on Saturday mornings or weekday evenings, depending on the instrument and class.
Each term is approximately 10 weeks long, with a half-term break. There are usually three terms per year:
- September – December
- January – April
- April – July
There are no lessons during the month of August.
Enrolment and term dates
Dates for upcoming terms are usually displayed on our website and advertised towards the end of the previous term. We normally provide a deadline to enrol and are not able to accept late enrolments.
New students are welcome to begin at the start of any term. However, please note that students joining at the start of the summer term will be entering a group where most new intakes joined earlier in the year.
Instruments and practice
Students must bring their own instruments to class each week and be able to practise at home. The Irish Cultural Centre does not have storage facilities and is not able to provide instruments.
We recommend the following providers for instrument rentals and purchases:
McNeela, Hobgoblin, Gear4Music, and Salvi Music (for harps).
Please Contact us should you have any questions.
Irish Traditional Instruments
Bodhrán Lessons
The ICC are pleased to offer a group learning class in bodhrán tuition. The classes are open to beginners and improvers, and will explore a range of techniques. We encourage anyone interested in improving their bodhrán playing, or learning a new skill, to join this welcoming and supportive group.
About Holly Fitz
Holly Fitz is a musician with English and Irish roots, now based in London. She discovered her love of music at an early age and has since performed widely across the UK as a bodhrán player, drummer, and singer-songwriter.
During her time at the University of Birmingham, Holly served as Chair of the Folk Society and performed with the University’s Folk Ensemble. More recently, she played bodhrán in the musical Crossing the Rubicon at the Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre.
Alongside performing, Holly enjoys taking part in traditional music sessions and has experience teaching drums and leading music groups. She is excited to share her passion and experience with students in her upcoming bodhrán classes.
Tutor Holly Fitz
Date 25 April - 18 July - (Half term: 30 May, no classes June 13, and July 11)
Times Saturdays: 10am: Beginners, 11am: Improvers
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £105 - £125
Banjo & Mandolin Lessons
The ICC are pleased to offer a group learning class in banjo and mandolin tuition. There are opportunities in these sessions for group practice and playing. We encourage anyone interested in learning a new skill to join.
Classes are suitable for adults and children aged 8+.
Tutor Mick O'Connor
Date 25 April - 18 July - (Half term: 30 May, no classes June 13, and July 11)
Times 11-12 Beginners 12-1 Intermediate / Advanced
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £115 - £140
Concertina Lessons
We offer concertina tuition on Saturdays. Open to complete beginners and all other levels of experience.
Available from 8 years+
Complete beginners looking to join this term are recommended to join in September.
Tutor Caroline Regan and Julia O'Hanlon
Date 25 April - 18 July - (Half term: 30 May, no classes June 13, and July 11)
Times Saturdays 11am - 12pm Beginner 12pm - 1pm Intermediate
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £115 - £125
Whistle Lessons (Online)
The ICC are pleased to offer a online class in whistle tuition. There are opportunities in these sessions for group practice and playing. We encourage anyone interested in learning a new skill to join.
Classes are suitable for adults and children aged 8+.
Specific lessons will be held in person and will be agreed on in class.
Complete beginners looking to join this term are recommended to join in September.
Beginner: 10am - 11am
Intermediate: 11am - 12pm
Advanced: 12pm - 1pm
Tutor Jacquelyn Hynes
Date 25 April - 18 July - (Half term: 30 May, no classes June 13, and July 11)
Times Saturdays: 10AM - 2PM
Venue Online
Cost £115 - £145
Fiddle Classes
We offer Fiddle tuition on Saturdays. There are morning mixed level sessions from 10am and afternoon mixed level sessions from 12 noon - with an opportunity in both sessions for group practice and playing.
A brief outline of the fiddle course content*
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For beginners, there will be everything you need to get you started from scratch - includes colour coded charts and video
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Learning by ear is taught and encouraged
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Sheet music provided in a variety of forms to suit your needs e.g. ABC notation
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More experienced players will have the opportunity to play along in a session (of an appropriate level)
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Set building sessions are provided for advanced players
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History of traditional fiddle music
Complete beginners looking to join this term are recommended to join in September.
*For a comprehensive syllabus, please contact [email protected]
Class times:
Classes between 10am - 2pm
Online Classes also available on Tuesday Evenings - please email [email protected] for details on this class.
Available from 8 years+.
Tutor Michael Sweeney
Date 25 April - 18 July - (Half term: 30 May, no classes June 13, and July 11)
Times Saturdays: 10AM - 2PM
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £115 - £145
Harp Lessons
The ICC are pleased to offer an intimate group learning class in harp tuition. The class is open to complete beginners and post beginners and will explore a range of beautiful traditional pieces each term.
About Tara Viscardi
Hailing from the Beara Peninsula in the South-West of Ireland, Tara Viscardi is an Irish traditional, baroque and classical harpist. First prize winner of the 2021 London Camac Harp Competition, Tara has performed and recorded in venues including Wigmore Hall, Abbey Road Studios, the Irish Cultural Centre, the London Irish Centre, the Irish Embassy London, Áras an Uachtaráin, the National Concert Hall Dublin and the Mansion House in London and Dublin. She has featured at festivals including the 2023 Cairde na Cruite International Festival for Irish Harp, Bloomsbury Festival, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, 13th World Harp Congress Hong Kong, Harp on Wight International Festival, 2022 Dutch Harp Festival World Music Competition and the 2023 Wales International Harp Festival, where she was a prize winner in the World Music Competition. A graduate of the Royal College of Music London, Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado Milan and TU Dublin Conservatoire, she holds a Master of Music in Performance (Distinction), Postgraduate Diploma in Harp Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Performance (Honours).
Tara was a recipient of the 2022 Arts Council of Ireland Agility Award, which enabled her to commence studies in the Italian baroque triple harp with Dr Siobhán Armstrong, and was featured at the 14th World Harp Congress, Cardiff performing her original compositions for traditional harp and flute paired with chamber music by 19th and 20th century female composers. Passionate about outreach and education, she is Administrator for Irish Heritage, the harp teacher at Junior King’s School Canterbury and she has been the harp tutor at the Irish Cultural Centre since September 2023. In 2021, Tara’s early music/folk group Nobody’s Jig held the Wigmore Learning/Royal Academy of Music Fellowship, delivering workshops and performances as part of the Wigmore Learning outreach programme.
Tutor Tara Viscardi
Date 22 April - 8 July (Half term: 27 May)
Times Wednesdays: 6pm - 9pm (Beginners 6pm, Intermediate 7pm, Advanced: 8pm)
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £105 - £135
Flute Lessons (Online)
The ICC are pleased to offer a online class in flute tuition. There are opportunities in these sessions for group practice and playing. We encourage anyone interested in learning a new skill to join.
Classes are suitable for adults and children aged 8+.
Specific lessons will be held in person and will be agreed on in class.
Complete beginners looking to join this term are recommended to join in September.
Tutor Jacquelyn Hynes
Date 25 April - 18 July - (Half term: 30 May, no classes June 13, and July 11)
Times Saturdays: 1PM - 2PM
Venue Online and In centre (specific dates to be agreed.)
Cost £120-£130
Guitar Accompaniment
(How to accompany Irish Traditional Music)
These lessons will cover:
- Basic knowledge of keys played in Irish music
- Colour coded system of learning keys and progressions
- Rhythm techniques and dynamics
- Tune/melody studying from an accompanists perspective
- History of backing styles in traditional Irish music
Complete beginners looking to join this term are recommended to join in September.
The beginner classes are aimed at beginners in the Traditional Irish music style.
Instruments that can be covered will be:
- Drop D guitar tuning (DADGBE)
Tutor Niall Farrelly
Date 25 April - 18 July - (Half term: 30 May, no classes June 13, and July 11)
Times Saturday mornings 10am: Intermediate, 11am: Beginners
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £110 - £125
Singing
Our singing classes focus on the harmony of group singing using Irish songs and ballads. If you are interested in finding out how to use your voice safely as a singer and explore your musicality, this is the class for you. It is also a great way to meet people and there will be lots of public performance opportunities!
Nuala McGowan is a performer and singer, originally from Lisburn in the North of Ireland. She trained in performance at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and has performed extensively across the UK and Ireland. She holds a Masters in Voice Studies from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now teaches voice and singing to anyone who is keen to learn and improve! You can also see her performing regularly with her band Ceolíní, singing in close harmony with a driving bodhran beat!
Tutor Nuala McGowan
Date 20/21 April - 13/7 July - (Half term: 30 May, no class on bank holiday)
Times Mondays & Tuesdays: 7PM - 9PM
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £125 - £135
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