Individual Classes

The YES School of Music provides professional instruction for children learning the violin from the age of 3 years and upwards. Preschool students at YES always begin their music education with the violin because the instrument is lighter and comes in a greater variety of sizes than other string instruments. For example, the smallest size violin (1/16) can be suitable for children as young as 2.5 years old, depending on the child's size.

The philosophy at YES is that a child's musical education should begin as early as possible to nurture musical potential. At preschool age, the child's mind is like a sponge and children have a good natural pitch for singing which fades as they get older. Learning to play the violin from a young age helps to improve a child's concentration and memory skills. Furthermore, group classes and ensemble activities have social benefits for children.

For older children who decide to continue their musical education on the violin, there are many benefits. The violin is a lead instrument in the orchestra and features in many different types of ensembles. Also, lots of wonderful and varied music has been written for the violin.

At YES, preschool and primary school children are taught by the renowned violinist and Director of YES, Maria Kelemen. Advanced students are taught by senior teacher and Artistic Director of YES, Ronald Masin.

We offer a free aptitude test to young children from the age of 3, which, through a few minutes of child-oriented games, can establish your child's musical promise. We can then advise you on how best to proceed with your child's further musical development. 

The YES School of Music provides professional instruction for children learning the viola from the age of 8 years and upwards, depending on the size of the child and the child's interests. A child starts viola lessons from the age of 8 because the viola is bigger and heavier than the violin and the smallest size viola does not accommodate children of younger ages.

It is advised that a child begins his or her musical education on the violin before progressing to the viola. The child may decide that he or she wishes to study both violin and viola which is catered for at YES. The student may also come to the realisation after a few years of studying the violin that he or she is better suited to another instrument.

There are many reasons why a student may prefer to continue his or her musical education on the viola rather than the violin. The viola, which is the middle instrument of the violin family, has a timbre between that of the violin and cello. A student may have a greater affinity for the deeper and warmer sound produced by the viola or may feel more natural playing the instrument.

The viola is also suited to students who prefer participatory playing in orchestras or ensembles. For students who wish to pursue a career as a musician, there are more opportunities for gaining entry into an orchestra as a violist.

At YES, junior students are taught the viola by the Director of YES, Maria Kelemen. Advanced students are taught by senior teacher and Artistic Director of YES, Ronald Masin.

The YES School of Music provides professional instruction for children learning the cello from the age of 7 years and sometimes even younger, depending on the child's size.

A preschool child will begin his or her musical education on the violin at YES before progressing to the cello. There are many reasons why a child may choose to advance his or her musical education on the cello. Some students find it more comfortable to sit rather than stand when playing an instrument and may also find the cello hold more natural. Musical preference will also play a determining factor - the cello produces a deep, rich tone, which some students find more relaxing than the violin. As the cello is one of the larger string instruments, it suits children with a lot of energy because it absorbs that energy.

For older children who decide to continue their musical education on the cello, there are many benefits. The cello is a key instrument in the orchestra as well as featuring in many different types of ensembles and as a solo instrument. The cello has an extensive repertoire and many concertos and sonatas have been written for the cello.

At YES, students of the cello are taught by Martin Johnson, a soloist in the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, and Eoin Quinlan, a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician who has performed throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.