Courses

Music courses

Dalcroze Eurhythmics (age 2+)

Dalcroze Eurhythmics is based on the principle that the human body is our first musical instrument and, as such, it is the perfect tool to achieve music understanding and appreciation. Through the interaction of all senses and full body movement, the body first experiences music through the ears and is trained to respond to it kinaesthetically. Eurhythmics provides students with experiences of the different ingredients of music, such as rhythm, tempo, pitch, dynamics, harmony and form, first through the body, and only later is such experience reflected upon and translated into traditional notation. Due to its fully sensory approach, the method is particularly appropriate as music training for very young children.

The approach was devised by Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950), Swiss musician, pianist, composer and educator. More information about Eurhythmics can be found on the website of t he Institute Jaques-Dalcroze.

What is Dalcroze Eurhythmics?

Guitar Lessons with the Suzuki Method (age 4+)

Teacher: Rebecca Wannyn

The guitar is an instrument that needs no introduction. But not everyone knows that children as young as 4 years old can learn to play it. Of course, a proper method is essential.

The Suzuki Method was developed by Japanese violinist and pedagogue Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998). He reflected on the best way to teach a four-year old child, when he realised that children of that age have already developed a very important skill, the ability to speak. He soon realised that if children learned to play an instrument in the same way they learned to speak – that is by listening and imitation, by promoting a rich musical environment, and the full involvement of parents – they would achieve equally great results. Suzuki teachers believe every child is able to develop musical talent, they are not born with it, but they are able to build up their ability gradually.

More information about Suzuki and his method can be found on the website of the European Suzuki Association.

Harp Lessons (age 4+)

Teacher: Asya Sergeeva

The harp is a beautiful instrument, perfect for taking up music lessons at any age: here’s why…

Because of the natural connection with the instrument: unlike with other instruments, where the sound making mechanism is complicated or hidden away, music-making on the harp, and in particular on the celtic harp, is very intuitive: strings are plucked and the sound comes out. To play it, no keyboard or bow is needed, just your hands, putting the player directly in contact with the sound.

Playing the harp can also help you in understanding how music works: the configuration of the strings, from the long, low pitched to the short, high pitched ones, becomes a visual aid that makes concepts such as high and low meaningful both visually and kinaesthetically.

Playing simple melodies at the instrument is really easy even for beginners: the accessibility of the strings, placed in sequence following the diatonic scale, makes it incredibly easy for even the youngest student to discover familiar melodies directly at the instrument and even create new ones. This process fosters freedom and creativity, which enhances enjoyment and motivation.

Violin Lessons (age 5+)

Teacher: Jelizaveta Saimra-Khan

More information soon…

Art & Craft

Art and Craft Workshops for Children (age 6-10)

Teacher: Marika Bulczynska

Every human being is an artist, a creator, able to express themselves through art. But these inner creative abilities may, for many different reasons, lie dormant, forgotten. Nevertheless, the need to create is deeply ingrained in our nature. Art and craft workshops give children an opportunity to connect with their creativity and express it using different kinds of material and techniques.

In these workshops we awaken and stimulate imagination and a natural, free way of creation. Through playful activities, children gain basic knowledge about colours, perspective and art history.

Benefits of art creation:

Nurturing creativity and originality;
Developing fine motor skills has a huge impact on our brain and many cognitive skills;
Increased visual sensitivity and an understanding that line, shape and colour can become powerful tools for expression;
Children learn to set tasks for themselves, evaluate, analyse, experiment, come to conclusions, and solve problems;
Creation is empowering: creating and then observing the fruit of one’s work rewards the creator with joy and satisfaction and increases the sense of self-esteem;
Physical contact with different materials and textures plays an invaluable role in a child’s sensory development;
It offers an opportunity to calm down and relax, to practice patience, concentration and persistence;
Group activities are an opportunity for children to appreciate the uniqueness of others as well as their own;
Children observe and inspire one another.

Classes are taught in English.