EDUCATION:
ICC Music School
Traditional Irish Music Lessons at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith
The ICC Music School at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, London, celebrates and shares the rich tradition of Irish music through expert tuition, community learning and a welcoming environment. Established as part of the Irish Cultural Centre’s commitment to Irish arts, culture and education, the Music School welcomes students of all backgrounds to discover, learn and develop their musical skills.
Our classes are taught by experienced musicians and performers, offering students the opportunity to learn traditional Irish instruments, singing and accompaniment skills at all levels — from complete beginners to experienced players. Alongside developing technique and repertoire, students are encouraged to play together, build confidence and take part in the wider traditional music community.
The Music School is committed to maintaining a high standard of teaching, supporting students at every stage of their musical journey, and creating opportunities for students to progress and enjoy making music.
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 designed to support students at different stages of their musical journey. Depending on the instrument and class structure, sessions may be grouped by experience level, while some classes are open to a wider range of abilities where students can learn and progress together.
Levels of Learning
Beginners – For those taking their first steps in music, learning the foundations, building confidence and developing good technique.
Improvers – For students who have some experience and want to strengthen their skills, expand their repertoire and continue developing.
Players – For those with experience on their instrument who want to continue improving their musicianship, explore new material and enjoy playing with others.
Term Structure
Our Music School follows the academic year, starting in September and ending in July. 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
Students can enrol on a termly basis or choose our annual enrolment option, which provides a convenient way to secure a place for the full academic year and save on fees.
Dates for upcoming terms are usually displayed on our website and advertised towards the end of the previous term. Enrolment deadlines are provided for each term. Unfortunately we are unable to accept late enrolments once classes have begun.
New students are welcome to join at the start of any term. However, students joining in the summer term should be aware that many new starters will have joined earlier in the academic year, and classes may already be progressing through the course material. We recommend contacting us in advance to discuss the most suitable class level.
Instruments and Practice
Students must bring their own instruments to class each week and be able to practise at home between lessons. Regular practice is an essential part of learning an instrument and helps students get the most from each class, as lessons build progressively throughout the term.
Please note that The Irish Cultural Centre does not have storage facilities and is not able to provide instruments. Due to our small venue's capacity, we are unable to offer dedicated practice rooms outside of lesson times.
We recommend the following providers for instrument rentals and purchases:
McNeela, Hobgoblin, Gear4Music, and Salvi Music (for harps).
Fees
From the new academic year, all music tuition classes will be priced at:
£150 per term
We also offer an annual payment option:
£420 for the full academic year
Students can choose to pay term-by-term (£150 per term) or secure their place for the full academic year through our annual payment option. This provides a saving compared with paying for each term separately.
All music tuition classes are offered at the same price across the programme. Whether you are joining as a beginner, developing your skills as an improver, or continuing your musical journey as an experienced player, every student receives the same high standard of tuition, support and opportunity to learn within the ICC Music School community.
ICC Music Student Benefits
As an ICC Music Student, you are also part of our wider music community. Students receive:
20% off ICC music events throughout the year
Enjoy performances, concerts and special music events at the Irish Cultural Centre while continuing to be part of our vibrant music programme.
Please Contact us should you have any questions.
Irish Traditional Instruments
Bodhrán Lessons
Discover the rhythms and techniques of traditional Irish bodhrán playing in a welcoming and supportive group environment at the ICC Music School. These classes are suitable for beginners and improvers, with students exploring a range of playing techniques, rhythms and approaches to accompaniment.
Whether you are looking to begin your bodhrán journey, develop your existing skills, or gain confidence playing with others, these sessions provide an opportunity to learn, practise and enjoy making music as part of a 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 Irish Cultural Centre.
Alongside performing, Holly enjoys taking part in traditional music sessions and has experience teaching drums and leading music groups. She brings her passion for traditional music, performance experience and enthusiasm for learning into her teaching at the ICC Music School.
Tutor Holly Fitz
Date 26 September - 5 December 2026
Times Saturdays: 9.30am: Beginners, 10.30am: Improvers, 11.30am Players
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £150 Termly - £425 Full Year Enrolment
Banjo & Mandolin Lessons
Learn traditional Irish banjo and mandolin in a welcoming group environment at the ICC Music School. These classes offer students the opportunity to develop their playing, learn traditional tunes, practise techniques and enjoy making music together.
Suitable for adults and children aged 8+, the classes welcome complete beginners as well as those looking to improve their existing skills. Students will have opportunities for group practice, playing together and developing confidence within the traditional music style.
About Mick O'Connor
London-based musician Mick O’Connor is a highly respected figure in the Irish traditional music community. An All-Ireland tenor banjo champion in 1971, Mick has been playing since 1967 and has been part of the London Irish music scene for over five decades.
A veteran of the great era of London Irish traditional music in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, Mick has played an important role in preserving and sharing Irish musical traditions. In 2013, he was honoured by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, receiving its prestigious Bardic Award for his “exceptional contribution to the promotion of Ireland’s cultural traditions”.
Mick brings decades of performance experience, knowledge and passion for Irish traditional music to his teaching at the ICC Music School.
Tutor Mick O'Connor
Date 26 September - 05 December
Times Saturday Beginners - 12pm, Improvers - 1pm
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £150 Termly - £425 Full Year Enrolment
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 26th September - 5th December 2026
Times Saturdays 11am - 12pm Beginner 12pm - 1pm Improvers
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £150 Termly - £425 Full Year Enrolment
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.
Beginners: 10am - 11am
Improvers: 11am - 12pm
Players: 12pm - 1pm
Tutor Jacquelyn Hynes
Date 26 September - 5th December 2026
Times Saturdays: 10AM - 2PM
Venue Online
Cost £150 termly - £425 Full Year Enrolment
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 26 September 2026 - 5th December 2026
Times Saturdays: 10AM - 2PM
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £150 termly - £425 Full Year Enrolment
Harp Lessons
Discover the beauty of the traditional Irish harp at the ICC Music School. This intimate group class is suitable for complete beginners and post-beginners, offering students the opportunity to develop their technique, explore traditional repertoire and enjoy learning in a supportive musical environment.
Each term, students will explore a range of beautiful traditional pieces while building confidence, musical understanding and their own playing style.
About Tara Viscardi
Hailing from the Beara Peninsula in the South-West of Ireland, Tara Viscardi is an Irish traditional, baroque and classical harpist. A first prize winner of the 2021 London Camac Harp Competition, Tara has performed and recorded at renowned 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.
Tara has performed at international festivals including the Cairde na Cruite International Festival for Irish Harp, Bloomsbury Festival, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, the World Harp Congress and the 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, Tara holds a Master of Music in Performance (Distinction), a Postgraduate Diploma in Harp Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Performance (Honours).
Alongside her performing career, Tara is passionate about music education and outreach. She is Administrator for Irish Heritage, harp teacher at Junior King’s School Canterbury, and has been the harp tutor at the Irish Cultural Centre since 2023. She brings extensive performance experience, knowledge of Irish traditional music and a passion for teaching to her classes at the ICC Music School.
Tutor Tara Viscardi
Date 23 September - 02 December 2026
Times Wednesdays: 5pm - 6pm (Intermediate), 6pm - 7pm (Beginners), 7pm - 8pm (Post-Beginner)
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £150 Termly - £425 Full Year Enrolment
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.
Tutor Jacquelyn Hynes
Date 26th September - 5th December 2026
Times Saturdays: 1PM - 2PM
Venue Online and In centre (specific dates to be agreed.)
Cost £150 Termly - £425 Full Year Enrolment
Guitar Accompaniment
(How to accompany Irish Traditional Music)
Learn how to accompany Irish traditional music on guitar, developing the skills and musical understanding needed to play alongside tunes and musicians.
These classes are designed for beginners and those new to accompanying traditional Irish music. Students will explore the keys and chord progressions commonly used in Irish music, rhythm and dynamics, and how to listen and respond to a melody from an accompanist’s perspective. The course will also introduce different approaches to traditional Irish backing and the history behind them.
The focus is not simply on learning chords, but on developing a feel for the music – understanding its rhythm, phrasing and character, and learning how to support a tune without overpowering it.
What you'll learn
- Basic knowledge of keys commonly used in Irish traditional music
- Chord progressions and a colour-coded approach to learning keys
- Rhythm techniques and dynamics
- How to listen to and accompany a tune from the guitarist’s perspective
- Different approaches and styles of backing in traditional Irish music
- The history and development of Irish traditional guitar accompaniment
- Drop D guitar tuning (DADGBE)
Complete beginners are welcome. The beginner class is aimed specifically at those who are new to accompanying Irish traditional music.
About Kevin C. Olohan
Kevin C. Olohan is a musical performer, writer and storyteller from County Wicklow, the “Garden of Ireland”. An Irish folk and traditional musician, Kevin has performed and toured extensively around the world, including in Germany, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. He was also Musician in Residence at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Kevin trained as part of the inaugural class of The Lir Academy, in association with RADA, and his background in performance and storytelling has remained central to his musical life. Having spent many years playing around Temple Bar in Dublin, he moved to London in 2025 and has since become a regular fixture on the London Irish music scene.
In 2018, Kevin created Fireside: The Irish Storytelling Podcast, which reimagines Irish myths, legends and folklore through music and storytelling. He has written and performed all 260 episodes to date.
Inspired by artists including The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Kevin believes that traditional Irish music is inseparable from the stories, characters and communities that gave rise to it. His approach to teaching reflects this, focusing not only on learning the guitar but on developing a feel for the music, its rhythm, ornamentation, songs and stories — and, above all, enjoying playing it.
Kevin is delighted to share his passion for Irish traditional music with students at the Irish Cultural Centre.
Tutor Kevin C. Olohan
Date 26 September - 5 December 2026
Times Saturday mornings 10am: Beginners, 11am Improvers
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £150 termly - £425 Full Year Enrolment
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 22/23 September 2026 - 01 December 2026
Times Mondays & Tuesdays: 7PM -8.30PM
Venue Irish Cultural Centre
Cost £150 TERMLY - £425 Full year enrolment
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