be inspired
teach
We have limited places available for the current academic year.
We have a very high retention rate of students year on year meaning a limited number of places open up at the beginning of each academic year. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Have you checked out our FAQ section below in case we can save you a question or two? We have covered almost every question you may have about starting music lessons including paying fees, adult beginners, teaching students with learning difficulties, the importance of practising and our terms and conditions.
Kindly complete the ENQUIRY FORM below 👇🏼 We promise to reply within 48 hours.
the next generation of musicians
teaching enquiry form
albert einstein
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge
Gráinne higgins
I was so lucky to start my cello journey with Tara. Her attention to technical detail, passionate commitment to her students and wonderful sense of fun made every lesson one to look forward to.
denise sheridan
Studying with Tara-Lee students go on a journey of exploration and discovery of music, themselves as musicians, their technical ability while experiencing all the benefits music brings to their communicative, social and emotional development in a nurturing, supportive, fun filled environment.
Thank you for your enquiry,
We will respond within the next 48 hours!
Jordane and Tara-Lee have experience facilitating them to teach students with learning challenges. On our enquiry form we kindly ask parents/students to complete this section knowing that this information is treated with utmost privacy. It is very important we are made aware of any challenges your child/student may have in their education journey and learning experience. No matter what challenges these may be we sensitively ask you to share these with us, so that we may in turn be able to assist your child/student to the best of our ability ensuring their musical journey is one that is enjoyable and fulfilling.
can lessons be adapted for students with learning challenges?
Tara-Lee and Jordane are delighted to offer online music lessons for students who prefer the online learning experience as it better suits their location/schedule/lifestyle and/or family commitments. Both Jordane and Tara-Lee were teaching music online before 2020 and over recent years as educators we have expanded our teaching skillset, deepened our awareness of 'how it feels for the student', explored and developed new online teaching approaches, and integrated our new practises providing a truly holisitic online learning experience for each student.
do you teach lessons online?
We do not believe the quality of our teaching and work is diminished in its essence by being online. It is somewhat limited in its capacity when compared with a lesson face to face, such as not being able to play together, not being physically present to correct their feet / adjust their arms etc. However, the actual quality of what we are teaching and the service we are providing is not lessened.
There are other disciplines where online classes can understandably cost less than a lesson in-person. However, we believe music lessons do not fall into that category for the following reasons. There is extra time involved in preparing materials for online classes, arranging and emailing Zoom invites, recording mini follow-up teaching videos, plus emailing homework notes and sheet music. ALL outside of the actual given lesson time of 30/45/60 minutes for which you have paid.
why are online lessons not cheaper?
For complete beginners and students playing up to two years we recommend 30 minutes for a weekly lesson. As the students progress we will discuss with you if more time is necessary to comfortably cover all materials including theory. For adult beginners we recommend 30/45 minutes preferably on a weekly basis.
how long is a lesson?
We love teaching adults. Are you a beginner cellist or a mature piano student with no prior musical experience?
You don't need to know a treble clef from a crotchet. You don't have to be able to sing or read music. You don't have to do exams. You don't have to play in public. And it doesn't matter if you have arthritis.
Trust us when we say IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START. All you need is a long-lasting desire to learn an instrument and let us do the rest. For adult beginners we recommend 30/45 minutes preferably on a weekly basis.
Please complete the teaching enquiry form by clicking here
do you teach adults?
Music is 99% practise and 1% theory. Music is not a hobby whereby one goes training once a week like with a team sport. Music is an incredibly specialised field of learning on a one-to-one basis. It involves and deeply engages all our faculties from the very first lesson. For each student, adult or child to fully benefit from their personalised music programme and more importantly to enjoy their lessons and musical experience, regular practising is 100% advised and encouraged.
Tara-Lee/Jordane will discuss and advise both the student and/or parent the recommended practising time relevant to your age/ability/grade/pieces and musical intentions.
do i have to practise everyday?
You don't need to know how to read music in order to start music lessons. We are here to guide and support you literally from the very beginning. If you have played by ear before and are nervous about not being able to read those tiny black dots, fear not. There are only 7 notes to learn ABCDEFG plus a few funny signs like sharp - flat - natural. Or as one student renamed the sharp # hashtag
do i have to be able to read music?
We implement a strict policy to protect our teachers livelihoods and time whereby lessons are NON-TRANSFERABLE. Your teacher needs to be paid even if you cancel. It is each students responsibility to attend their allocated lesson time. If a student is unable to attend this lesson will NOT be made up by their teacher. Kindly do not request this directly of your teacher. If a teacher is unable to teach due to illness and/or concert/professional engagement this lesson will be made up before the end of the respective term.
what happens if i cannot make a lesson?
Should you wish to discontinue lessons two weeks notice without exception is required in writing to your teacher at theonyxduo@gmail.com otherwise lessons will be charged for without exception.
what if i want to stop taking lessons?
We do not accept payment for lessons on a weekly basis. Each term of lessons is due for payment in full in advance without exception. All lessons must be paid for within 14 days from date of invoice. If payment is overdue by two weeks your teacher reserves the right to cancel future lessons until payment has been received in full. Check out the fees section above for more details.
how do i pay for lessons?
Trust us, after teaching for over 30 years we have the answers!
You Might have Some questions
All students are issued invoices via email. Kindly add theonyxduo@gmail.com to your address book to ensure all emails and invoices are received in your inbox. Please ensure it is on the safe sender list otherwise our invoices and emails will end up in SPAM. Email is our primary form of correspondence.
All lessons must be paid for within 14 days from date of invoice. We accept EFT's. Each term of lessons is due for payment in full in advance without exception. If payment is overdue by two weeks Tara-Lee and/or Jordane reserve the right to cancel future lessons until payment has been received in full. We do not accept payment for lessons on a weekly basis. Lessons are non-transferable. Please do not request this of your teacher. It is the students responsibility to attend their allocated lesson weekly. If a student is unable to attend a lesson this lesson will NOT be made up by your teacher. If your teacher is unable to teach due to illness and/or concert/professional engagement this lesson will be made up before the end of the respective term.
Should you wish to discontinue lessons two weeks notice without exception is required in writing via email to your teacher theonyxduo@gmail.com otherwise lessons will be charged for without exception.
