Family "Drum & Beatz"

Our Family Drum & Beatz series will continue in 2026 with a number of individually scheduled family drumming events at RIAM.

For our continued Family Drum & Beatz programme in 2026, we have restructured our sessions, with a reduced group size and running shorter sessions (of 50 min duration), for more focused interaction with the individual child(ren), and their parents/guardians.  Sessions will take place at RIAM, Room 100 (1st floor) (max. 5-6 families)

Family “Drum & Beatz” is a playful way for children (recommended from 1 - 12 years) and their parents/guardians to discover the world of music, through drumming and percussion, in a relaxed group setting.

Imagine a room full of drums and other percussion instruments, such as shakers and bells, waiting to be explored in a session of “in-the-moment” music making.

Join Drummer and Musician Educator Leonardo Cassandro on a fun-filled adventure for the whole family, experimenting with fantastic rhythms, call and response activities, and playing along to energetic music tracks.  Discover new ways to tell your own musical stories, moving along to uplifting beats, letting go of tensions and gathering positive energy.

Experience a deeper bonding with your family members or other participants through joint music-making, carried by a common pulse and taking turns being led and leading yourself.

Family “Drum and Beatz” is not a course and you can’t make mistakes here, it’s all about celebrating group/family music-making and having a good time with your near/dear ones. 

Here's what previous participants say:

"We had an amazing time at Leonardo's workshop. Positive energy and so much fun. Both the kids and us the adults had a great time. We really hope there will be more workshops soon. (Denise T.)"

The 5 dates for Spring 2026 are: 

• Sunday 22nd February (3 sessions)  - Registration now open

• Session 1:   2:00 - 2:50 PM  / Session 2:   3:00 - 3:50 PM / Session 3:   4:00 - 4:50 PM

• Sunday 22nd March (3 sessions)   - Registration now open

• Session 1:   2:00 - 2:50 PM  / Session 2:   3:00 - 3:50 PM / Session 3:   4:00 - 4:50 PM

• Sunday 26th April (3 sessions)   - Registration will open in January 2026

• Session 1:   2:00 - 2:50 PM  / Session 2:   3:00 - 3:50 PM / Session 3:   4:00 - 4:50 PM

• Sunday 17th May (3 sessions)   - Registration will open in February 2026

• Session 1:   2:00 - 2:50 PM  / Session 2:   3:00 - 3:50 PM / Session 3:   4:00 - 4:50 PM

• Sunday 14th June (3 sessions)   - Registration will open in March 2026

• Session 1:   2:00 - 2:50 PM  / Session 2:   3:00 - 3:50 PM / Session 3:   4:00 - 4:50 PM

Ticket Prices (per event)

Standard Ticket:

Main booker (min. 18 years)                             €15

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Add-on options:

Additional Adult [18+ years]                             €10 (per adult)

Child [from 1 - 12 years]*                                   €4 (per child)

Baby [0 - 12 months]*                                     free admission

* Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an Adult at all times.

Examples:

1 Adult + 1 Baby [0 - 12 months]                                       = €15 

1 Adult + 2 Children [1+ years]                                          = €15 + €4 + €4  = €23

2 Adults + 1 Baby [0 - 12 months] + 1 Child [1+ years]      =  €15 + €10 + €4 = €29

(If you have questions about your specific family booking costs, please contact shortcourses@riam.ie or call 01 6325325 for assistance.)

Individual participants' age: min. 18+

Leonardo Cassandro

Leonardo Cassandro is a professional musician and educator with over 15 years of experience. A graduate of BIMM Music Institute in Dublin, he brings a wealth of expertise in both performance and pedagogy.

Leonardo programs and delivers drumming, percussion, pre-instrumental, and early years courses for Music Generation. His work often focuses on engaging with communities facing significant challenges, including individuals with additional needs and groups affected by socio-economic hardships. His efforts aim to ensure that those often left behind have access to the transformative power of music.

He collaborates with the National Concert Hall, offering percussion workshops to diverse communities, inspiring a love for music nationwide. He is also involved in innovative initiatives like Music in Mind, promoting inclusion and accessibility in music, and Teen Spirit with Music Generation Kildare, providing young musicians opportunities to perform in prestigious venues like the Riverbank Arts Centre and the National Concert Hall.

As a founding member of the Orff-Schulwerk Association Ireland, Leonardo advocates for creative music education, organizing workshops and masterclasses with renowned experts. His teaching philosophy emphasizes performance-based learning and active participation, helping students deepen their understanding, build confidence, and explore creativity. He is passionate about using music to foster personal growth, community connections, and meaningful experiences.