Classes

Tá fáilte roimh gach duine ag SLIA! Everyone is welcome at SLIA. Children can start any time after the age of four. Adults are welcome too. We are so proud of our Irish traditions that we want to share them with everyone. If you would like to come see for yourself, please send us an email and let us know when you would like to visit! info@slia.org Visitors are welcome by appointment only.

Schedule

MONDAY - Students under 8 years old should register for our Monday class 4:30-6pm. In this class, students will learn tin whistle, singing, dancing, and Irish culture. $375 for the fall semester

TUESDAY 4:30-7:30pm - For Students with prior experience and over 12 years old. In this class, students will increase their repertoire in small instrument specific groups, work in small duets and trios, and prepare for performances and competitions in our large ensemble. At 6pm, students will choose between dance or Irish Music Appreciation. $425 for the fall semester

TUESDAY - Irish Music Appreciation 6:15 - 7:30pm is open to anyone of any age, and is included for those registered for our Tuesday 430-730 class. $150 for the fall semester

TUESDAY - Adult Ensemble 6:30-7:30pm is open to past SLIA students, or students with a good working knowledge of Irish music and their instrument. $150 for the fall semester - Begins October 29th for 8 weeks.

WEDNESDAY - Beginners over 8 years old, and students with prior experience under 12 years old should attend our Wednesday class 4:30-6:30pm. In this class, students will have a one hour long music class, and a one hour long dance class. $400 for the fall semester

WEDNESDAY - Students under 12 years old with a particular interest in singing are welcome to take part in our Youth Singing Class 6:30-7pm. $20 for the fall semester

WEDNESDAY - Adult Dance Class 6:45-7:45pm is for adults with prior dance experience, Irish, tap or ballet. $150 for the fall semester - Begins October 16 for 10 weeks

Students will sometimes need to come to extra practices on Saturdays. We perform all over St. Louis throughout the year, and we expect our intermediate and advanced students to attend these whenever possible. You will be notified of these performances by email.

Costumes

Each student is fitted for a school costume to wear for performances and Competitions (Feiseanna.) There is an annual fee to rent and clean your school costume. Advanced students may also purchase their own solo dress to wear at performances. These must be approved by the teacher. Solo dresses can also be custom ordered.

Dancing Shoes

You can rent dancing shoes from us or buy your own.

Tin Whistle

Your child will receive their first tin whistle when they register. There is no extra charge for the first tin whistle. However, if you lose that one, you will need to purchase subsequent tin whistles.

Other Instruments

All students learn to play the tin whistle. In Irish schools, every student learns to play the tin whistle. We do the same at St. Louis Irish Arts. Private Lessons/2nd Instruments: Dedicated and progressing students are also given the opportunity to play a second instrument of their choice. For these instruments, private lessons with SLIA teachers are recommended in order for students to progress. SLIA teachers are available to give private tuition on: Harp, Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Flute, Banjo, Concertina, Button Accordion, Uilleann Pipes, Piano, Bodhrán and Mandolin.

Extra Dance Lessons

Please talk to Mrs. G and Shannon about these.

Teaching Method

Our method of teaching music is the old traditional Irish way. The Irish traditional method of teaching music is very similar to the Suzuki method, which focuses on natural ways of learning. Insofar as you child learned to speak English flawlessly, so too can they learn the language of music, if it is taught to them in a way their brains can handle. Your child did not learn English by reading grammar. Your child learned by listening to you. Our method of teaching the language of music is inspired by the way your child learned to speak English. But we did not invent this style. It has been the way Irish music has been taught throughout the generations. If you would like to come watch us, please drop by. We'd love to show you. Children love to have fun, and we love to instill in them the desire to speak the language of music. Just as they did not learn to speak English by speaking it once a week at home, the same will apply to learning music. It must be practiced. If you, the parent will encourage your child to practice what they learned with us, your child will flourish with us.

Location

Classes are held at 5111 Southwest Ave, St. Louis MO 63110.

The school is located in The Hill neighborhood, near Favazza's Restaurant. Ample street parking is available, and there is an accessible entrance. Doors are kept locked and visitors must be buzzed in.