Rachel’s Music Centre (RMC) was created in Rathfarnham by Rachel Armstrong, whose story with music began nearby as she took up piano at an early age. Rachel’s fascination with music saw her continue her studies at third level, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from UCD, and a Masters Degree in Music Technology from DIT (now TU Dublin). As Rachel’s teaching practice continued to grow, she pursued training specific to music education, earning a Higher Diploma in Education from Trinity College Dublin.
ABOUT RMC
Quality music education responding to students’ interests, goals, backgrounds, and styles of learning
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About Rachel’s Music Centre
In recent years, hundreds of students have had lessons at the school, many returning year after year as they continue to learn. In addition, the range of instruments which could be studied at the school has been growing. Each year, concerts are held where students at all stages in their learning have the opportunity to perform, to show the material they’ve been working on, and to see and hear their fellow students at work. Since March 2020, RMC has added online lessons to the services on offer, and students and teachers alike have embraced the challenges and opportunities of continuing studies through this time.
Our Ethos
At RMC, we strive to provide quality music education for all of our students, with their varied interests, goals, backgrounds, and styles of learning. We work to create a positive learning environment that encourages and supports our students’ curiosity, creativity and interest in music and music-making. Each of our highly trained and experienced teachers makes use of flexible, student-centred teaching methods, informed by contemporary approaches to music education.
Many students at RMC choose to take exams as part of their studies. While exams are by no means required of students, at RMC we believe that exams are for… learning! And it is with this in mind that we encourage all our students to sit external graded exams or in-house exams as part of their studies. In preparing for an exam, students have a unique opportunity to work through a carefully selected collection of work with focussed study and practice, making exams among the very best ways to move forward in our understanding and our playing.
Why Choose RMC?
Inclusive
(music is for everyone)
Student-centred Approach
(We embrace individual interests and encourage)
Holistic
(Developing confidence, curiosity and creativity)
Modern Teaching Practices
Lifelong Learning
(Develop a love and desire to continuously learn outside of a formal setting)
Facilitate concerts and group playing opportunities
About Rachel
Rachel Armstrong (Owner) B.Mus, MA in Music Technology, H.Dip in Ed
Rachel’s Music Centre (RMC) was created in 2010 in Rathfarnham by Rachel Armstrong, whose story with music began nearby as she took up piano at an early age. Rachel’s fascination with music saw her continue her studies at third level, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from UCD, and a Masters Degree in Music Technology from DIT (now TU Dublin). As Rachel’s teaching practice continued to grow, she pursued training specific to music education, earning a Higher Diploma in Education from Trinity College Dublin.
Since Rachel began teaching music in 1998, she has gained experience teaching piano, choir, orchestra, music theory and Junior and Leaving Certificate music in a variety of schools. Rachel also has experience of teaching abroad, working with children’s music groups while living in France from 2008 to 2010. She has always been keenly interested in discovering the ways in which students learn, and how best to support students through their learning process. Through her teaching experiences and continuing research, Rachel today teaches and leads Rachel’s Music Centre with a sound basis in flexible and effective contemporary music education practice.
Our Team
Online & In-Person
Avril began studying piano at the age of ten. She completed all her grades with the Royal Irish Academy of Music and also went on to attain her teaching diploma from this highly regarded college. She has attended many master classes in teaching from the renowned John O’Conor in the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she also achieved a certificate in group teaching under the new RIAM Cara Awards evaluation programme. She is currently studying with the Royal Irish Academy for a diploma in performance. She has studied guitar in group settings and individual lessons. She also holds a diploma in Montessori Education where the ethos centres on the child’s holistic development, allowing them to “develop at their own pace and in their own way”.
Avril has taught music throughout the years alongside her career as a Montessori Teacher. Music in all its forms was an integral part of her Montessori curriculum and many of her students went on to study music at second and third level.
Avril is now teaching piano full time and continues to draw on her Montessori experience to enhance her music teaching. Her primary aim is to foster an innate love of music in her students (learning for life), while preparing them for exam grades and performances.
She hopes her own love for music will continue to shine through her teaching.
Brian Walsh is a Dublin-based drummer and percussionist. He began studying music theory and piano at an early age, and turned to drums in 1997, later studying with renowned teachers, Conor Guilfoyle and Seán Carpio. Brian has performed in many music venues, theatres and festivals in Ireland, mainland Europe and North America and his playing has been broadcast on television and radio in Ireland and UK.
Brian arranged and performed drums, percussion, and piano for Inni-K's studio album, ‘The Hare & the Line’ (2019) and also drums and percussion on ‘The King Has Two Horses Ears’ (2015). In recent years, Brian has collaborated with theatre groups, and performed at Dublin Fringe Festival and Live Collision festival.
Brian has been teaching drums and piano at Rachel's Music Centre since 2016, and is also a fully qualified teacher of ITM Alexander technique.
Rachel Armstrong (Owner) B.Mus, MA in Music Technology, H.Dip in Ed
Rachel’s Music Centre (RMC) was created in 2010 in Rathfarnham by Rachel Armstrong, whose story with music began nearby as she took up piano at an early age. Rachel’s fascination with music saw her continue her studies at third level, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from UCD, and a Masters Degree in Music Technology from DIT (now TU Dublin). As Rachel’s teaching practice continued to grow, she pursued training specific to music education, earning a Higher Diploma in Education from Trinity College Dublin.
Since Rachel began teaching music in 1998, she has gained experience teaching piano, choir, orchestra, music theory and Junior and Leaving Certificate music in a variety of schools. Rachel also has experience of teaching abroad, working with children’s music groups while living in France from 2008 to 2010. She has always been keenly interested in discovering the ways in which students learn, and how best to support students through their learning process. Through her teaching experiences and continuing research, Rachel today teaches and leads Rachel’s Music Centre with a sound basis in flexible and effective contemporary music education practice.
Born into a family of singers and musicians in Johannesburg, South Africa, Antoinette's musical journey began at a young age. She completed her Grade 8 Piano exam through ABRSM during high school and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree with distinction from the University of Pretoria. As the first student in the university's history to major in Jazz Piano, she further honed her skills by attending Jazz Master Classes at the University of North Texas and Louisville University in Kentucky. With over 20 years of experience teaching students from ages 6 to 75, Antoinette blends her formal classical training with her specialised knowledge in jazz and popular music. She prides herself in making meaningful connections with her students, tailoring their curriculum to their individual interests to ensure they enjoy their musical journey. Antoinette moved to Dublin in 2022 and is delighted to be part of the RMC team.
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