Mini Musicians
Images by Hanna Logue Photography
Mini Musician classes are a colourful and child friendly approach to developing the natural musicality of small children. The classes use the Colourstrings method, which is based on Kodály’s approach to music education. Kodály believed that all musicianship training begins with singing, in order to develop the inner ear, and this training should ideally begin very early on, with parents singing to their children! Kodály famously said that ‘Music education begins nine months before the birth of the mother,’ and we welcome babies from birth, up to age 7.
In classes, the children learn through singing, rhymes, clapping, using percussion instruments, dance and movement, listening to live and recorded music, and games. Whilst the goal of the classes is to make music fun, the children are unaware that they are learning key musical concepts (such as pitch, pulse, rhythm, dynamics, melody and harmony) in a structured way.
The classes are also designed to help prepare children for learning an instrument (normally around age 5-7), by teaching them to sing in tune; develop a good sense of rhythm; and by teaching them to read music notation. This helps to stop many of the frustrations that beginners encounter when they learn an instrument.
Classes last for around 45 minutes and are taught by experienced and qualified Kodály music teachers. Cost per class is £5 for non-walkers and £8 for toddlers and older, with payment due in advance of a half term. Non-walkers are free if they have an older sibling attending classes, and we also have twin discounts available. We also run group instrument lessons for age 5+, with prices starting at £10 a lesson, and instrumentals available to hire if you need them.
Our current classes are:
Douglas:
- Sunday 9:30am (4-7 year olds) – waiting list
- Sunday 10:30am (0-4 year olds) – waiting list
- Sunday 11:30am (0-4 year olds) – waiting list
- Monday 4:30pm (Secondary ukulele class – age 11+) – limited space
- Monday 5:00pm (Intermediate ukulele – age 5+) – limited space
- Monday 5:30pm (Advanced ukulele – age 6+) – limited space
- Thursday 9:45am (Non-walkers) – waiting list
- Thursday 10:45am (toddlers only) – waiting list
Peel:
- Monday 10.30am (0-4 year olds) – waiting list
- Monday 11:30am (toddlers) – spaces
Ramsey:
- Tuesday 11am (0-4 year olds) – waiting list
Ballasalla:
- Tuesday 10:30am (0-4 year olds) – spaces
Port Erin:
- Thursday 11.15am (0-4 year olds) – spaces
Register here, or contact us for details on location and availability.

Meet our Teachers

We are very grateful for the support of the Isle of Man Arts Council, Culture Vannin, and Manx National Heritage.