Start your young Person on their musical journey with us!
Kids Irish Instrument Classes & Private Lessons
Private Lessons are available both in-person and virtually .
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us!
Group Classes
Teaching kids the joy of playing Irish music for life!
NEW DAY/NEW Time: Kids Beg/Intr IRISH FIDDLE: Mondays@5pm @IrishHeritageCenter (2nd flr Library)
Irish fiddle class is joyful and creative as students train their ears to learn tunes from the Irish tradition. Through listening, lilting, dancing, singing games, musical literacy activities, and playing our instruments, we build a repertoire of fiddle tunes that students can socially play with musicians of all ages at sessions. Rooted in Irish culture, our group classes invite students to listen and learn side by side in a social environment that not only motivates young learners but deepens their musicianship - their understanding of musical concepts of beat, rhythm, pitch, melodic contour and their development of musical skills like bowing, tone, and style. As part of your class registration, students are strongly encouraged to attend the live music session each Sunday @ Mrs. Murphy and Sons from 1-3PM - an important and fun chance for practice and play each week! Families are welcome to hang out, listen and enjoy some great lunch as well.
teacher: Erin Flynn Mon @Irish Heritage Center (in 2nd flr Library)
Term: 8x(9/8-10/27) Time: 5-5:50 Fee $200
In Fiddle I, beginning players get to know their instrument and develop strategies to learn tunes by ear. We begin with open string songs, playing posture, and bow hold. Students progress to Irish songs using pressing finger notes and then, to a set of Irish Polkas. Students may stay in this section in order to hone their intonation, bowing, and facility with connecting musical phrases into tunes.
You’re ready for Fiddle II if you love to practice your tunes every week. You’re listening to your new tunes and preparing them between classes. You’re ready for Fiddle II if you can play the following tunes smoothly from memory: Britches Full of Stitches, Peg Ryan’s Polka (Kerry Polka), and Sweeney’s Polka. If you’re taking lessons or classes somewhere else, finishing Suzuki Book One, playing scales in A and D, and comfort learning by ear are all indicators that you’re ready for Fiddle II.
Don’t know which level your child fits in to? Email us at info@irishmusicschool.org.
Sunday TIN WHISTLE for Kids: 11am-12
Carrie Collins - Tin Whistle
SUN @MRS.MURPHYS 3905 N.LINCOLN
Term: 10x(8/24-10/26) (all levels)
Time: 11AM-12PM Fee: $250
teacher: Carrie Collins
This ongoing whistle class is designed for all levels of kid whistle players.
Monday Kids Irish Singing Class 6-6:50
MON @IrishHeritageCenter 4626 N. KNOX (2nd flr archive room)
Term: 8x(9/8-10/27) Everybody Welcome
new Class Time: 6-6:50pm Fee: $160 2 teachers: Carrie Collins and Erin Flynn
Through the joy of singing games, vocal exploration, and communal singing, children (will) naturally develop their facility with musical concepts like beat, rhythm, form, and pitch as well as musicianship skills like listening, memory, intonation, part singing, and performance. Rooted in the traditions of Irish singing, this all-ages kids class is an accessible precursor or complement to our instrument programs for young people. Exploring the first, and perhaps most integral instrument - our voice, our singing class allows young people to effectively access and develop their musicianship in a fun, engaging and welcoming way.
Thank you to the O’Hara Family Foundation for subsidizing the cost of our singing class!
NEW TIME: Irish Tunes/Style Mix’d Instrument Class for Kids 11:30-1
SUNDAYS @MRS. MURPHY&SONS 3905 N. LINCOLN
NEW Term: 10x(8/31-11/2)
NEW Time: 11:30-12:50 fee: $275 teachers: Sean Cleland, James Reilly & Jesse Langen
This special, in depth and fun ensemble 2 hour class will be co-taught by 3 experienced teachers; Seán Cleland (fiddle) and James Reilly (flute/whistle) and Jesse Langen (whistle and guitar). This ensemble class is by invite only; our goal with this class is to build a kid’s ensemble that can perform. We’ll learn Irish tunes primarily by ear and we’ll do some lilting! We’ll learn traditional Irish music from the inside out; delving into studying style, paying close attention to the details of time-feel, rhythm, fingerings, ornamentation, bowing, breathing, pulsing, variation, and historical relevance.
NEW Class: Kid’s Adv IRISH FIDDLE: 5:30-6:20 Thursday@IrishHeritageCenter
Thur @Irish Heritage Center (2nd flr Archive room) Where: Thur @Irish Heritage Center (in 2nd flr Archive room)
Term: 9x (9/4 -10/30) Fee $225 teacher: Seán Cleland
30minPianoLessons Mondays btw 4-6:
Mondays @Irish Heritage Center 30 min lessons between 4pm-6pm
Term: 9 x(August 25 - Oct 27) (NO Class Sept 1)
times: 4-4:30, 4;30-5, 5-5:30. 5:30-6
Fee: $315
Give your child the gift of music with our beginner piano lessons at the Irish American Heritage Center. Our friendly and experienced instructor, Carrie Collins, is dedicated to helping young learners develop a strong foundation in music. Students will learn to read music, play by ear, harmonize, understand music theory, and memorize pieces in a fun and supportive environment.
ALSO AVAILABLE private and semi-private lessons both in-person and virtually:
Private Lessons (both in-person and virtually) available for these instruments: Fiddle • Tin Whistle • Irish Singing • Flute • Bodhrán • Piano
For rates, please visit our Policies and Rates page.
Press play for an example of a tin whistle class with the Irish Music School of Chicago.