Layout and Explanation of Individual Entries
The purpose
of this guide is to help the user get the full benefit of the features
and information in the directory.
The need for a list of instrumental and vocal teachers in Ireland became clear to Music Network over the years. Many of the telephone enquiries received here are from parents seeking local instrumental tuition in a wide range of instruments, including voice, for their children. Starting in 2002 and using mailshots, notices in the local and national press and with the cooperation of other music related organisations we asked instrumental teachers and schools of music to contact us if they wish to be listed in this directory. That process of information gathering continues all the time and we add the names of teachers as they contact us. The information is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that it is as up to date as possible. However if you find some incorrect or out of date information please let us know and we will rectify it immediately - click here to email us or contact us at LearnMusic.info, Music Network, Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, Tel 01 6709429, Fax 01 6719430.
In 2005 we started a major redevelopment of the site. This started with developing new aspects to the existing music teacher/schools of music search including the towns list, Dublin and Northern Ireland postcodes, instrument glossary and will include several other search options. These will be available in early 2006.
This is not a full list of all of the instrumental teachers in Ireland. It lists only those that have responded to our requests for teachers for inclusion in the directory. It is an evolving directory and can be (and often is) added to daily when the need arises. If you are a teacher or have found a teacher not listed here please get in touch with us - click here to email us or contact us at LearnMusic.info, Music Network, Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, Tel 01 6709429, Fax 01 6719430.
The Directory can be searched by
Two databases can be searched when you are seeking an instrumental tutor. The first is a list of private teachers and the second is a list of schools of music. Your choices are 'Teachers', 'Schools' and 'Both'. You can choose to search the just the list of teachers, just the list of schools or you can elect to search both at the same time. As most people will probably want the widest possible range of information we have set the search field to automatically display and search for 'Both'. Should you wish to search from one or ther other simply select the category from the list. New entries for teachers and schools are being added on a constant basis so if you have not found a suitable teacher you should check back occasionally in case one is added.
There are 73 individual instruments listed in the drop down menu. Click here to see that list. While the intention is that we will eventually have a range of teachers listed for each instrument, not all instruments listed currently have a corresponding teacher. You can select only one instrument at a time. For you convenience we have placed the most commonly requested instruments (piano, violin, etc.) at the top of the list, the rest of the instruments are listed below that by instrument type - keyboards, strings, etc. Some teachers have indicated that they teach instruments not list in the specified list of 73. So if the instrument you are seeking is not listed you may still be able to locate a teacher. To search for any instrument not specifially listed, e.g. African Guitars, you can use the 'Keyword' category for that purpose.
In November 2005 we added an Instrument Glossary to the directory. By clicking on the name of most of the instruments listed you will open a new window which contains a brief description of the instrument, a link to a picture of the instrument and a link to more extensive information about the instrument which will also open in a new window.
County/Town
All 32 counties in Ireland are listed. County Dublin is split up in the
'County List' into Dublin South, Dublin North and all 22 current Dublin
postcodes. When you select a county all of the relevant teachers in that
county will be listed. In addition, a list all of the teachers in the
neighbouring counties will automatically be generated and will appear
below the requested county. E.g. If you select Co Offaly all of the relevant
teachers in Co Offaly will appear at the head of the list followed by
all of the relevant teachers in counties Tipperary, Laois, Westmeath,
Galway, Roscommon, Kildare and Meath. This feature is intended to assis
people living close to the borders with neighbouring counties who may
find it more convenient to travel to another county rather than to another
part of their own county. If there are no teachers in the requested county,
teachers in neighbouring counties will still be listed (where they exist).
This function also applies to Dublin postcodes and areas, e.g. by selecting
Dublin 3, all neighbouring postcodes will also be listed based on increasing
distance from there.
To help narrow your search even further, when you've selected your county a list of towns in that county which appear in the directory will br automatically generated below. Only towns in each county which appear in the directory will be listed. If a new teacher registers from a town not alreday listed the 'new' town will be automatically added to the list.
You do not have to use the 'town' function. By not using it you will generate a much wider list of options. A suggestion is that you could select your town first and conduct a search and if that yields nothing you can expand your search by searchin the entire county.
Genre
The genres listed are those with which Music Network is specifically involved,
i.e. Classical, Jazz and Traditional Irish. Some teachers have specified
that they teach other styles or genres so you could use the 'Keyword'
category to search for styles such as pop, rock, musicals, church music,
etc.
This is the only category that you can control and it can be used to either narrow a search or to broaden it. Some examples of its use are; if you have selected a county you could type the name of your town or area to see if there are any teachers in your immediate locality. As mentioned above you could search for instruments or music genres that are not specifically listed in previous search categories.
Each entry will contain information presented under some or all of the following headings.
Where an email address is included it will be a live link and the person can be emailed directly. Please be aware that while many people have email addresses it is common for people to check their mail only rarely or even not at all. Should you suspect this is happening, you should try contacting them by phone or letter instead
Student Residence - the classes can take place in the student's home. In most cases this is accompanied by a kilometre (km) figure, e.g. 25km, which refers to the distance the teacher is willing to travel to teach. This may take the form of km, time by car or bus or, specific geographical locations. If 'Student Residence' is specified but you live outside the specified area it may be worth contacting the teacher in case they are willing to travel further. Some entries will have either of the following beside 'Student Residence' - 'Not Specified' or 'On Application'. In these cases you should discuss the maximum travel distance with the individual entrant.
Post Graduate - will accept graduate students of an advanced standard wishing to further extend their performance skills
Traditional Irish Music levels - not all of these levels will apply to Traditional Irish Music students - the standard is often measured simply in terms of beginners, intermediate and advanced
Unless otherwise indicated each entrant conducts individual/one-to-one classes, however, many teachers who teach on an individual/one-to-one basis also teach in group situations. This indicates the normal and maximum group sizes taught by the entrant. You should ask the teacher whether you/the student will be taught individually or as part of a group.
Each entry carries a link to the disclaimer
Part of our disclaimer states "The Directory has been compiled solely from information supplied by music teachers and schools of music. Music Network makes no warranty regarding the quality of the teachers and/or schools listed or the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in the Directory or accessible from this website." Click here for full disclaimer
As a consequence of this Music Network cannot or will not recommend one teacher or school over another, neither can we vouch for the quality or reputation of the teacher. The choice of teacher must be made by you based on the information provided by the teachers. It is recommended that you read all of the information contained in each entry following which you compare and contrast the attributes of each teacher. We suggest that you then make a list of the ones you prefer and contact them. Should you have any queries about the teacher you should contact the teacher using the details given. Where the range of choices allow, we suggest that you talk to as many teachers as possible before committing to one. Should a teacher not be able to accept a student you should enquire from that teacher as to whether they can suggest another teacher.
When assessing or comparing teachers the obvious things to look for are experience and /or qualifications. However it should be noted that neither is a guarantee of the quality of an individual teacher so, as before, it is recommended that you talk to the teacher(s) about their classes before committing. You should also note that until the late 1990's there was no formal qualification in Traditional Irish Music teaching or performance and consequently, many of the Trad teachers will list no qualifications. You can also look for other, less obvious indications, such as work with local choirs, concerts, schools, musical societies etc.
Because fees and fee structures vary so wildly and are likely to change frequently we have omitted that information from the directory. You should ask the teacher when contacting them what their fees are. Some teachers or schools require full term payments in advance and in such cases it is recommended that you enquire in advance about refunds should you/the student withdraw from classes before the completion of the term.
Also, for the same reason we have decided to omit class duration and term times. Most classes are either half an hour or an hour but you should check this with the teacher before committing.
Be sure that you are satisfied with all aspects of the teacher before committing.
There are several feedback options in the search area - you can send general comments or suggestions on the directory, you can register online as a teacher or school or request that forms are sent by post.
As stated earlier, the intention is that we will be continually adding new teachers to the list so should you fail to identify a suitable teacher on this visit you should return periodically to see if a more suitable option has appeared in the interim.
I
hope you find this online directory useful. If you have a query that is
not dealt with in this User Guide please email us by clicking
here.
LearnMusic.info is a flexible and constantly changing resource. In most cases any new information or worthwhile suggestions can be incorporated easily and quickly so all feedback and input is welcome.
Happy searching and happy learning!
Séamus
O'Reilly
Information Service Manager
Music Network