About Us
North Bay Music offers relaxed, beginner-friendly music production classes, where kids learn to make music in a supportive and collaborative environment.
We’ve made albums, recorded in top studios, played festivals and are super-passionate about unlocking creativity in kids in a way that hasn’t been done before – The North Bay Way!
We believe music-making should be accessible, fun, inspiring, and never boring. Music and creativity can become life-long passions and it is never too early to get started.
"The true beauty of music is that it connects people"Roy Ayers
Lessons & Pricing
Young Creators (8 to 11)
€250 per 10-week term. Weekly 30-minute small group lessons (4 learners max.)
Tuesday nights.
- Learn to record and produce beats
- Multi-track recording and music technology
- How to arrange, record and mix songs
- How to stop, collaborate and listen!
TEEN CREATORS (12 to 15)
€250 per 10-week term. Weekly 30-minute small group lessons (4 learners max.)
Wednesday nights
- Learn to record and produce beats
- Multi-track recording and music technology
- How to arrange, record and mix songs
- Weekly milestones and challenges!
FAQs
General Questions
What age groups do you teach?
We offer lessons for children aged 8 to 15 years, with classes grouped by age and ability. Currently, we run two cohorts:
- Young Creators (8 to 11) on Tuesdays and Saturdays (one class per week).
- Teen Creators (12 to 15) on Wednesdays and Saturdays (one calss per week).
Do kids need any prior or active musical training?
No experience is needed. All classes are beginner-friendly and designed to build confidence from day one for musicians and non-musicians alike.
Are these musical instrument lessons? No. Learning a musical instrument is a very complimentary to any budding producer and we encourage it! But what we teach at North Bay Music is different – how to create, record and mix music at home.
How do the groups work? We find out about your child’s interests at the start and place them in groups along those lines.
Can my child join with friends? Absolutely. If your friends are signing up too, you can lets us know as part of onboarding and we’ll do our best to arrange groups accordingly.
Lessons & Structure
How long are the terms and weekly lessons?
Over a 10-week term, our once-a-week, 30-minute lessons give children the time and space to learn, experiment, and create — designed to deliver real progress. We run three intakes a year:
- Cohort | January to March | Next Start Date – January 2027 (TBC)
- Cohort 2 | April to June | Next Start Date – April 20th 2027 (TBC)
- Cohort 3 | September to December | September 1st 2026 (BOOK NOW!)
So, what exactly will these budding music producers learn over time?
Kids will learn:
- How to create ‘beats’ (that’s young-people-speak for instrumental music that MCs/rappers can rap over.)
See? We’re learning already! - How to record their own instruments at home (great for budding musicians)
- How to use loops and sample packs to build tracks (great for non-musicians)
- How to record amazing vocals (great for singers)
- How to write, arrange and record great songs
- How to sample existing music, mix it up and make it their own. Legally!
- How to record audio and/or music for video games, Youtube channels and livestreams
- How to record a podcast
- Learn how to combine different instruments (real or digital) to get the vibe they like – aka ‘multi-track recording’.
- How to use a range of music software (eg. DAWs, plugins)
- How to mix their own instrumental tracks
- Music theory fundamentals (notes/chords/keys/tempo/bars/beats/dynamics/structure)
- Listening skills, exposure to lots of different kinds of music, problem solving, and patience
- Resilience, attention to detail and a lot of music history and fun trivia!
What kinds of music styles and genres do you cover?
We’re self-confessed music nerds with deep knowledge of music spanning multiple genres and decades. We can cater to rock, indie/alternative, pop, R&B, rap, hip-hop, punk, electronic dance music (EDM), heavy metal, funk, soul and 50 other genres and subgenres you’ve probably never heard of!
What does my kid need to bring to the lessons?
At the outset, there is only one piece of high-end equipment your child(s) need for Term 1 – their ears!
From Term 2 on, each child uses a laptop and a set of wired headphones. If your child doesn’t own these, they can be provided during lessons.
What software will they use?
We start by using Bandlab (Windows). This software and others like it are known as ‘DAWs’ (digital audio workstations – used for multitrack recording).
Bandlab is available to download and use for free. As students advance through terms, we introduce ProTools.
What about hardware?
We provide audio interfaces (to record audio into a laptop), MIDI keyboards (for use with digital instrument ‘plugins’), as well as access to microphones and real instrumention like guitars, bass, keyboards, synths and samplers.
What happens from Term to Term?
We delve deeper into the methods, tools and complexity of musicmaking as learners progress year-on-year. The beauty of music is that the learning and discovery journey never ends, even for old dogs like us!
Pricing and Booking
How much does it cost?
Group lessons are €250 per child, per term.
All lessons are booked in 10-week terms.
Any chance of a discount for families?
Oh alright, go on then! Where more than one family members registers, we offer a €50 discount for second child on group lessons. Not too shabby.
How do I book?
Booking is done online via these links:
Young Creators (8 to 11)
Teen Creators (12 to 15)
Once payment is completed, you’ll receive an email with a short onboarding form.
We create groups based on shared interests from there!
How does payment work?
We prefer full-term upfront payment of €250 but payment options are also available.
Are places limited?
Sure are! Class sizes are small by design, allowing for more tutor interaction with each student. Therefore, we allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis.
Locations and Times
Where are lessons held?
Lessons take place in Baldoyle Racecourse Community Centre
When are lessons held?
Young Creators (8 to 11) run from 4.30pm to 9pm on Tuesdays
Teen Creators (12 to 15) run from 4.30pm to 9pm on Wednesdays
CHILD Safety & Trust
Are your teachers Garda vetted?
Yes. All staff are vetted through the National Vetting Bureau.
Do you have a safeguarding policy?
Yes. We follow child protection guidelines from Tusla to ensure a safe environment. Please take the time to review our Child Protection Policy here.
Other Practical Details
What happens if my child misses a lesson?
Missed lessons are non-refundable. We kindly ask that you let us know in advance if your child is unable to make a lesson.
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a session, a replacement lesson will be be arranged.
Can my child join with a friend(s)?
Absolutely, group lessons are very popular and making music alongside your mates is what it’s all about – fun.
What if I’m unsure of my child’s level?
No problem. We’ll place them in a suitable group based on age, interests and experience.
My child has additional needs. Can you accommodate them?
100%. We welcome all different kinds of minds and are happy to provide any reasonable supports that help your child, relax, have fun, and thrive in their sessions with us. This is arranged on a case-by-case basis.
The Big Question!
When does the next term start?
I’m glad you asked! The next term start dates are:
Young Creators (8 to 11) | Tuesday September 1st 2026
Teen Creators (12 to 15) | Wednesday September 2nd 2026
We recommend booking early as spaces are filling up quickly. Over to you!
Still have questions?
Get in touch anytime — we’re happy to help and/or answer any questions. Contact details are below.
Other Events
End of term showcase (Week 10)
Term-end showcase for family and friends!
Summer POP-UPs 2026!
We’ll be popping up with skills showcases and information sessions over the summer in your areas. Find your tribe and collaborate!