Ditties for Dotes

A six-week early-years music class for 3 - 18 months olds & their parents, grandparents or minders

Description

THE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE CHECK THE JANUARY COURSE DATES AND REGISTER EARLY TO SECURE A PLACE NOW.

 

Inspired by the Kodály Method and Orff Approach, these early-years music classes introduce your child to the fundamentals of music through singing, listening, movement, and play.

Research has demonstrated the wide-ranging benefits that music-making can have for babies/toddlers and parents alike, from learning and developmental benefits to enhancing social skills and improving well-being.

These classes provide a solid musical foundation for further musical training (a perfect stepping-stone to pre-instrumental classes in the Royal Irish Academy of Music) and most importantly, instil a love of music.

These courses are delivered in Person at the RIAM, with fun-filled music classes in the heart of Dublin City!

 

Other age groups:

Children aged 18 months - 3 years should participate in our Tunes for Toddlers (Age Group I) course

Children aged 3 - 4 years should participate in our Tunes for Toddlers (Age Group II) course

 

Ditties for Dotes Course dates for Autumn 2025 to Spring 2026

 

November-December session:

  • Wednesday 5th November 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 12th November 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 19th November 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 26th November 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 3rd December 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 10th December 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)

 

January-February session: 

  • Wednesday 14th January 2026 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 21st January 2026 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 28th January 2026 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 4th February 2026 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 11th February 2026 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
  • Wednesday 18th February 2026 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)

 

For any enquiries about this course, please contact shortcourses@riam.ie or call 01 632 5325.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop a sense of pitch and pulse
  • Introduce musical concepts including dynamics, tempo, character, rhythm and melody
  • Instill a love of music
  • Teach parents songs and games that they can use with their babies outside of class 

Tutors

Naoise Whearity

N

Naoise Whearity is a Dublin-based conductor, chorister, and educator, currently studying an MMus in Choral and Orchestral Conducting at TU Dublin Conservatoire, having previously graduated with a BA (Hons.)  in Music and French from Trinity College Dublin.
Naoise is the Musical Director of Cantairí Avondale, Skerries Sea Sharps and of the Well Sing Choirs at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and serves as Music Assistant for the National Concert Hall’s award-winning youth choir, Cór Linn. She is founder of the project chamber choir Geantraí, and Co-Artistic Director of Youth Opera Ireland (youthopera.ie).
As a conductor, she has worked with leading Irish ensembles including the National Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir Ireland, and was recently awarded First Prize and the Singers’ Prize at the 2025 Feis Ceoil Choral Conducting Competition, adjudicated by Nils Schweckendiek. She was also honoured to perform as a guest conductor with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, one of Canada’s foremost professional ensembles, in both Vancouver and Tampere, Finland.
A passionate advocate for high-quality, inclusive music education, Naoise’s teaching is rooted in the Kodály approach, and she firmly believes in the transformative and joyful impact of music learning for all ages. She teaches at Rathdown School, where she serves as Choral Director, conducting the school’s three choirs, and as the Junior School’s music specialist.
Beyond her school work, Naoise leads RIAM’s Baby and Toddler Music Courses, shaping and delivering the Academy’s early-years curriculum, and works with Sing Ireland on Star Songs, an initiative that uses singing to promote creative development in early childhood. She has also facilitated numerous workshops and music camps for young children throughout Ireland.
Naoise currently sings as Alto Section Leader with the internationally award-winning chamber choir New Dublin Voices, and is a member of CCI Studio, Chamber Choir Ireland’s programme for emerging professional choral singers directed by Eamonn Dougan.

Testimonials

"My son absolutely loves Sofie’s music classes. He’s at his happiest listening to her lovely music & upbeat class. It’s lovely to watch the magical effect she has on the children!" (Aime F.)

"Sophie was full of enthusiasm with a smile on her face each week! There was a great selection of songs - all suitable for babies- fun and interactive to perform. My son and I enjoyed the course thoroughly!" (Áine B.)

"Phoebe really enjoyed the course. Sophie was well-prepared and enthusiastic every week. 30 mins is perfect for this age group." (Nessa S.)

"Many thanks for your lovely course. I found it very suitable for my son. He began to recognise Sophie's voice and the singing. The presentation of the course was appropriate and easy to follow. Singing was soft and relaxing and Sophie's voice was very clear and soothing. Best wishes with your new course." (Josephine B.-C.)

"Special thanks to Sophie. She is a wonderful, kind, gifted, and special person. Thank you for sharing your gifts. (Marc O.)

"Sophie was so lovely, accommodating and caring. It was a joy to come to her class every week. We will miss it! (S. R.) 

Prerequisites

Age: 3 - 18 months

Other: Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the classes.

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