Griffith College Dublin

Niall Kinsella, (Finalist on TVs Irelands Got Talent programme)

Higher Diploma in Arts in Music Education Graduate.

I thoroughly enjoyed doing my H.Dip with the Leinster School of Music and Drama at Griffith College! The course was well planned out and tailored to the individual strengths and need of myself and my classmates. It exposed me to a broad range of modules in pedagogy, music technology, teaching and learning theory, conducting and performance, to name a few. Since completing the course I have gone onto a Masters course in music performance and I am now teaching piano in a music school while still continuing to teach piano and music theory independently.

Laura Whitmore (TV personality & MTV presenter)

Speech & Drama Associate Diploma Graduate. 

I have been studying with the Leinster School of Music and Drama on and off since the age of seven and recently completed my associate diploma in performance there. The school provides excellent materials and support for drama teachers and students as well as on a social level, meeting other students from different backgrounds but with a shared passion. In particular the standard of the supplementary workshops were hugely beneficial.

Lilia Nicolaeva

Higher Diploma in Arts in Music Education Graduate.

Without doubt, my decision to study for the Higher Diploma in Music Education; a course offered by the Leinster School of Music, in association with Griffith College, has been invaluable. Firstly, the friendliness and personal attention given to me by both the professors and assistants helped to quell the stresses and strains of what some may consider to be a challenging course. Modern society demands educated musicians with the ability to overcome all that comes their way. I firmly believe that my experience in Griffith College has equipped me with the mindset to survive and flourish in the world of professionals.

Bridget Kenny.

Certificate in Music Teaching (40 Credits) HETAC and
Associate Diploma Graduate.

I really enjoyed the whole course as when you teach in private situation and also work in a Primary school to your own music plan, you start to worry that you could be doing more or is what you are doing ok. It is great to get feedback from other teachers and from the lecturers about what you are doing and you get great ideas on the course. It also helps you to tighten up on areas maybe where you had been a bit laxed before. Also at my age I was worried I would not be able to motivate myself to study and also I needed to do something different to keep myself interested and enjoy teaching with new and fresh ideas. Everything was really great and all the staff were so helpful and friendly I would definitely recommend any music teacher to do the course especially more mature teachers as they may be stuck in a rut and need to kick start themselves out of it. Thanks a million.

Carol Keane

Higher Diploma in Arts in Music Education Graduate.

First of all I must mention that I had an amazing time participating in the course which I must admit was predominantly because of the fantastic diversity of people I met along the way. The course was jam packed full of new and interesting material made readily available to us which I personally would not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience. It covered a multitude in such a short period of time but I think that is one of the most attractive traits of the course and therefore caters for students from all different backgrounds in music. Indeed the course itself was enhanced by the musical experience that each individual brought to the college with them...we learned as much from each other as from the material supplied! Perhaps it was due to the great dynamic and openness present in our year group but I believe that the regular group discussions that occurred during lectures (most often spontaneously) were a feature of the year and helped confound information in a practical and realistic manner. We were some bunch of (talented) yappers! My absolute favourite part of the whole course was learning about Music Technology. This was a brand new area that I'd previously never experienced and it ultimately opened my eyes to viewing and creating music in a whole new light. For my final performance piece I used this newfound knowledge and adventurously applied it to a piece of music that fused traditional Irish music with a classical arrangement using multiple instruments. Together then with the help and encouragement of lecturers, a traditional music group and an orchestra we conducted a début performance of the composition for the final showcase...it was by far the most incredible music experience of my life!

Since completing the course I have taken the initiative (born of one of the many group discussion during the year!) to set up my own Fiddle School. I operate in the primary school I currently work in after hours and have an enrolment of 30 students between the ages of 7 and 9. The students are taught in groups and avail of an instrumental rental scheme that I have set up whereby they can rent an instrument for a term at a time to try out the fiddle and decide if it?s something they would like to pursue. The interest and support of the school community has been phenomenal and there is still a waiting list longer than the number of places available! Furthermore I have continued my own personal interest in composing music using Music Technology and am currently working on a few new original compositions that follow on from my showcase performance. None of this would have been possible without the experience and confidence I gained from the course and in particular Kay O'Sullivan who was a true inspiration to each and every one of us.

David Howard

I just wanted to thank you and Griffith College so much for making it possible for David to study with Mabel, only for scholarships we would have really struggled to get him up every Saturday for lessons. He couldn't have had a better teacher and friend than Mabel, and I am sure it will help him in the coming years in the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. David will be forever grateful to Griffith College and will keep in touch, and hopefully, play a future concert for you!.(Maria Howard)