Ditties for Dotes

Note: Change of Class times from January 2025 - 11:15 - 11:45 AM

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 Spring 2025

January/February Course:

• Wednesday 8th January 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 15th January 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 22nd January 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 29th January 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 5th February 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 12th February 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)

March/April Course:

• Wednesday 5th March 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 12th March 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 19th March 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 26th March 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 2nd April 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 9th April 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)

April/May Course:

• Wednesday 30th April 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 7th May 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 14th May 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 21st May 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 28th May 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)
• Wednesday 4th June 2025 (11:15 - 11:45 AM)

• 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 

Mary Walsh

A conductor and singer from Sligo, Mary Walsh completed an MA and BMus in the MTU Cork School of Music, Cork.

Mary is a vocal coach at Newpark Academy of Music where she conducts the Newpark Junior Choir, and is the music specialist in St. Mary's Primary School, Rathmines where she conducts the Boys Choir. She is the festival director for the Newpark Festival. Mary was the 2023 conductor-in-training with the Irish Youth Choir directed by Bernie Sherlock.

Mary was the assistant conductor for Horse Ape Bird, an opera produced by Irish National Opera in association with Music Generation. She was assistant conductor to Stephen Barlow for the opera Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland produced by Opera Collective Ireland.

Mary is the artistic director of the Wexford Gateway Orchestra. She was a finalist in the 2023 Dublin Feis Ceoil Conducting Competition where she conducted the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. As part of the 2022 National Concert Hall Female Conductor Programme she took part in masterclasses with David Brophy and Robert Houlihan and was selected to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra in the final concert of the programme.

She has received masterclasses from Sian Edwards and Alice Farnham as part of the 2021 Sorrell Women’s Conducting Programme in the Royal Academy of Music, London.

A keen singer herself, she sings soprano with the international award-winning chamber choir New Dublin Voices.

"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.) 

Age: 3 - 18 months

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