Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance

The Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance trains effective and confident practical music teachers in the one-to-one teaching setting. The course offers a professional Diploma qualification accredited by Trinity College Dublin.

You can complete the course as a full time student over one year, or part-time over two years. The academic year is 30 weeks with lessons and classes coming to about 12 hours per week. Part-time students would have an approximately 6 hour weekly load over two years.

The Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance course provides students with three alternative study pathways:

It can act as a stand-alone course, attracting advanced school leavers who wish to spend a year studying music intensively. It will provide you with a high standard of playing, solid musicianship and teaching techniques, and a qualification that allows you to teach your Instrument/Voice

It can act as a one-year post-degree qualification for those postgraduate students who didn't specialise in music performance but wish to immerse themselves in a seriously focussed performance programme prior to Masters studies, or becoming an instrumental/vocal teacher

It can act as a direct pathway into year 2 the RIAM B.Mus. Performance degree subject to reaching the required performing standard

The Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance has three curriculum strands:

Practical lessons, ensemble rehearsals and performance class develop confident performers

Pedagogy modules offer teachers a strong foundation in educational issues and teaching philosophies

Supporting academic studies provide solid musical foundations for life

Two pathways are available to Diploma students according to their professional interests:

Performance Major with Pedagogy Minor for those who wish to focus a greater proportion of their time on developing performance skills

Pedagogy Major with Performance Minor is geared towards the teaching professional who also wishes to develop agility and confidence as a performer

Your application for RIAM undergraduate and postgraduate will consist of:

1. Online application
2. Audition & Interview
   • Submission of recorded performance & written theory test online
   • Online interview and ear tests