North Bay Music | Music Production ACADEMY FOR Kids

---

FAQs

General Questions

What age groups do you teach?
We offer lessons for children aged 8 to 16 years, with classes grouped by age and ability. Currently, we run two cohorts:

• Ages 8 to 11
• Ages 12 to 16

---

Do children need any experience?
No experience is needed. All classes are beginner-friendly and designed to build confidence from day one.

---

Does my kid need prior musical training?
No, we welcome musicians and non-musicians alike! Prior musical ability can be an advantage, but creativity can come in many forms!

---

Lessons & Structure

What is the difference between group lessons and 1:1 lessons?

• Group lessons: four students learning together (more fun and social)
• 1:1 lessons: individual attention

Most beginners start with group lessons.

---

How long are the lessons and terms?
Great music takes time. Our 1-hour weekly lessons give children the time and space to learn, experiment, and create — designed to deliver real progress while remaining as affordable as possible over a 10-week term. We run Terms three times a year:

• Term 1 | January to March | Start Date January 19th 2026
• Term 2 | April to June | Start Date – April 20th 2026
• Term 3 | September to December | September 7th 2026

---

So, what is actually taught in these music production sessions?
Kids will learn:

• How to create beats (That’s young-people-speak for instrumental music that MCs can rap over. See? We’re learning already!)
• How to build songs and arrangements
• Learn how to combine different instruments (real or digital) to get the vibe they like AKA multi-track recording
• How to use a mix of music software (eg. DAWs, plugins)
• How to produce their own tracks
• Music theory basics (notes/chords/counting time)
• Listening and skills, exposure to different kinds of music, problem solving and patience
• Resilience, attention to detail and a lot of music history and trivia!

---

What kinds of music styles and genres do you cover?
We’re self-confessed music nerds with an encyclopedic knowledge of music spanning the 1940s to the present day. We can cater to rock, indie, pop, rap, hip-hop, punk, electronic dance music (EDM), heavy metal and 100 other genres and subgenres you’ve probably never heard of!

---

What does my kid need to bring for the lessons?
A laptop and a set of wired headphones. If your child doesn’t own these, they can be provided during lessons.

---

What software will they use?
We start by using Cakewalk by Bandlab (Windows) and Garageband (Mac). These software are known as ‘DAWs’ (digital audio workstations – used for multitrack recording). These are both available to download for free online.

---

What about hardware?
We provide audio interfaces (to record audio into a laptop), MIDI keyboards (for use with digital instrument ‘plugins’), as well as access to mics and real instrumentation

---

Can my kids continue on from term to term?
They certainly can. We delve deeper into the methods, tools and complexity of musicmaking as learners progress, year-on-year. The beauty of music is that the learning and discovery never ends – and we’re no different.

Pricing and Booking

How much does it cost?

• Group Lessons: €350 per child, per term.
• 1:1 lessons: €450 per child, per term

All lessons are booked in 10-week terms.

---

Any chance of a discount for families?
Oh alright, go on then! Where two or more family members register together, we offer a €50-per-child discount on both group and 1 to 1 lessons respectively. Not too shabby.

---

How do I book?
Booking is done online via our booking page.
Your place is confirmed once payment is received.

---

Do I need to pay upfront?
Yes. We require full-term payment upfront.
Installment options are available on our booking page.

---

Are places limited?
Sure are! Class sizes are small by design, allowing for more tutor interaction with each student. Therefore, we allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis.

---

Locations and Times

Where are lessons held?
Lessons take place in:

• Baldoyle Community Centre (Young Creators – Group Lessons)
• A private home studio* (Solo Stars – 1:1 lessons)

When are lessons held?
Group Lessons run from 4pm to 9pm on Thursday and Fridays, as well as Saturday 2pm to 6pm each week
1:1 Lessons run from 4pm to 9pm on Monday and Tuesday (limited availability)

_{*Full details are provided after booking}

---

CHILD Safety & Trust

Are your teachers Garda vetted?
Yes. All staff are vetted through the National Vetting Bureau.

---

Do you have a safeguarding policy?
Yes. We follow child protection guidelines from Tusla to ensure a safe environment. Please take the time to review our Child Protection Policy here.

---

Other Practical Details

What happens if my child misses a lesson?
Missed lessons are non-refundable. We kindly ask that you let us know in advance if your child is unable to make a lesson.
If we cancel a class, a replacement lesson will be provided.

---

Can my child join with a friend(s)?
Absolutely, group lessons are very popular and making music alongside your mates is what it’s all about – fun.

---

What if I’m unsure of my child’s level?
No problem. We’ll place them in a suitable group based on age, interest and experience.

My child has additional needs. Can you accommodate them?
100%. We welcome all different kinds of minds and are happy to provide any reasonable supports that help your child, relax, have fun and thrive in their sessions with us! This is arranged on a case-by-case basis.

---

The Big Question!

When does the next term start?
I’m glad you asked! The next term start dates are:
1:1s | Monday April 20th
Groups | Thursday April 23rd
We recommend booking early as spaces are filling up quickly. Over to you!

---

Still have questions?

Get in touch anytime — we’re happy to help