Newpark Academy of Music

21/12/2024

🎶✨ A heartfelt thank you to Blackrock Village Shopping Centre for hosting our Christmas caroling fundraiser! This has been our final event of the year, and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from our students and parents. 🎤❤️ Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas filled with joy and love! 🎄🎉

Don’t forget, our fundraising campaign is still going strong! If you’d like to support us, please check out our donation page by searching for Newpark Academy of Music, or visit our website at Newpark Music Donation. Your generosity makes a difference! 🙏💖

05/12/2024

We're thrilled to announce that all our Era by Era Concert dates are now live!

✨ Whether you're a performer eager to showcase your talent or a music enthusiast ready to enjoy a journey through history, we invite you to join us.

📅 Check the dates and register today at www.newparkmusic.ie/era-by-era.

Let’s celebrate the beauty of music together—one era at a time! 🌟

29/11/2024

🎶 Reminder: Don’t Miss Your Chance to Register! 🎻

Registration for the Era by Era Concert Series at Newpark Academy of Music is underway, and we’re inviting all performers to join us in bringing the music of the past to life!

If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time. This series is a unique opportunity to showcase your skills and dive into the rich history of music—from Baroque brilliance to 20th-century innovation.

Register at the attached link and secure your spot today! Let’s continue to celebrate the timeless beauty of music together.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our Era by Era Concert Series at Newpark Academy of Music! Each month, students from Newpark and beyond are invited to perform pieces from a different musical era, creating a wonderful opportunity to showcase talents, explore varied repertoires, and celebra...

29/11/2024

🎶 Set a Realistic Intention for Your Performance 🎻

When it comes to performing, it's easy to get caught up in the quest for technical perfection. But here's a secret: the most memorable performances are the ones that connect with the heart. 🎹

Rather than striving for flawlessness, focus on sharing your unique interpretation of the music and the emotions it stirs within you. Let your performance tell a story—one that only you can tell.

Setting an achievable goal, like expressing the mood of the piece or feeling the rhythm with joy, can help ease performance anxiety and shift your mindset. When you aim to connect with the music and your audience, the experience becomes not just rewarding but unforgettable—for you and your listeners. 🌟

Remember, every note you play or sing is a chance to share a part of yourself. Embrace it! 💫

26/11/2024

🎹 Calling All Pianists!

The Pianoforte Competitions at the Newpark Festival are the perfect opportunity for pianists of all levels to showcase their talent, develop their performance skills, and gain valuable experience in a supportive, inspiring environment. 🌟

✅ Categories for all ages and grades
✅ Receive constructive feedback from expert adjudicators
✅ Be part of a community of music enthusiasts

Read more about the pianoforte competition options and register here:

Performers should present one piece of own. Presented in memory of John Stephens Prichard, to the most promising adult competitor. (Not to exceed 10 minutes)

25/11/2024

🎶 Join Us for an Exciting Evening at Newpark Academy of Music! 🎶

📅 Date: Saturday, 30th November @ 3:00pm
📍 Location: Newpark Academy of Music

We’re thrilled to announce the kick-off of our Newpark Fundraising Campaign! This is your chance to be part of the future of music education as we prepare for our move to Booterstown.

✨ What’s Happening?

✔️ Hear about our plans for this new chapter, how it will benefit our students and the wider community, and how you can play a role in supporting us.
✔️ Discover the many ways you can contribute, from donations to sharing our campaign with friends and family.
✔️ Enjoy performances from our faculty!

This event marks a pivotal moment for Newpark Academy of Music. Your generosity will help us continue offering the highest standard of music education and programs as we transition to our new home in Booterstown.

Together, we can ensure a bright future for the academy and the next generation of musicians.

All Are Welcome! Bring your friends and family along for an inspiring evening filled with music and community.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🌟

22/11/2024

Embrace the Stage: Reflecting on Your Musical Journey

As you approach your big day, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come in your musical journey. Every practice session, every challenge you’ve faced, and every note you’ve mastered has led you to this moment!🌟

Sometimes we get so focused on the work ahead that we forget to look back and appreciate the growth we’ve achieved. Think about the pieces you’ve learned, the skills you’ve developed, and the confidence you’ve built along the way.

Remind yourself that you’ve prepared for this. Whether it’s a recital, a competition, an exam, or simply playing for friends and family, this is an opportunity to share your music and enjoy the moment. Your hard work deserves to be celebrated—by both you and your audience!

Take a deep breath, trust in your preparation, and enjoy the moment! 🎶✨

21/11/2024

Behind the Music: Meet the Teachers of Newpark

Irvin Karkauskas

Irvin Karkauskas began his classical studies at the age of 5, while also studying jazz harmony in parallel. He attended TU Dublin, where he studied under Padhraic O’Cuinnegain. He has participated in many classical piano competitions, earning first place in the Midlands Feis Ceoil in 2015 and the Naval Choral Festival in 2016, along with numerous highly commended certificates over the years.

Irvin started his professional jazz career by performing weekly and participating in charity events across Dublin. More recently, he was part of the Siena Jazz Festival in July 2024. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music at DCU.

For the past 5 years, he has taught piano both privately and in schools. His teaching style is fun and explorational, strongly emphasising the enjoyment for students as they journey through learning piano and piano theory.

20/11/2024

The December Newpark Academy of Music Jazz Jam Session is an exciting event that brings together jazz students, professionals, and enthusiasts for an evening of spontaneous musical collaboration. Hosted by Newpark Academy, this session offers musicians the opportunity to showcase their skills, explore the world of Jazz !

Join us for a Christmas Jazz Jam Session

20/11/2024

Join us for our next student concert at Newpark Academy of Music this Saturday, the 23rd of November at 2:30pm! It's set to be a wonderful day of music by our hard working students.

This is our last student concert of the term before our big annual Winter Wonderland Concert on the 14th of December, so you won't want to miss it!

Hope to see you there 🎵

20/11/2024

🎹 Practice Tip of the Week: Use a Timer! 🎹

We all know how frustrating it can be to get stuck on a difficult section during practice. But here’s a simple trick to help you stay focused and make real progress: set a timer! ⏱️

Pick a challenging section of your music and set a timer for 10 minutes. During that time, focus all your attention on improving that section—whether it’s nailing the rhythm, getting the notes just right, or working on your dynamics.

When the timer goes off, move on to another part of your practice. This keeps your mind sharp, prevents frustration, and helps you stay productive throughout your session. You’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve with just a little focused effort! 🎵

Give it a try this week! What piece or section are you working on? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear from you! 💬👇

Happy practicing!

19/11/2024

This weekend marked the final day of our mock exams for this term at Newpark Academy of Music, and what a success it was!

It was such a joy to hear all of our students showcase the hard work and preparation they've done. Toi toi toi on all of your upcoming exams!

Be sure to keep an eye out for future mock exam dates 👀

18/11/2024

The students of Newpark Academy of Music invite you to our Winter Wonderland Concert, a heartwarming evening filled with festive tunes and enchanting performances! 🎻🎹✨

This annual concert is one of the highlights of the year, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our students in a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Date: Saturday, 14th of December @ 18:00
Location: Monkstown Church of Ireland

Purchase tickets here: www.newparkmusic.ie/event-details-registration/winter-wonderland-christmas-concert

All proceeds from the Ticket Sales will go towards the new school venue. Bring your family and friends to celebrate the season with us and experience the joy of live music. Let's make this holiday season unforgettable together!

Join us for an enchanting evening at the Newpark Academy of Music Christmas Gala Concert, where students, faculty, and special guest performers will present a festive selection of classical and contemporary music. Celebrate the season with beautiful orchestral pieces, choir performances, and solo sh

14/11/2024

Behind the Music: Meet the Teachers of Newpark

Gwendoline Douglas

Gwendoline is a violinist and passionate music educator. Alongside teaching violin, she leads the Newpark Nippers classes, where creativity and imagination are central to her work. Gwendoline is also committed to integrating music into healthcare settings and is currently pursuing an MA in Music Therapy at the University of Limerick. In her spare time, she enjoys unwinding with arts and crafts - always with a cup of tea nearby!

Be sure to visit us at www.newparkmusic.ie to learn more about our courses and enrolment!

13/11/2024

🎶 Practice Tip of The Week: Practice Away from the Instrument 🎶

Did you know that you can practice music even when you're not sitting at your instrument? Here are a few easy ways to build a stronger connection to your piece, no matter where you are!

🎵 Sing Your Part: Sing or hum through the melody (or any tricky section!) to really get it into your ear. This helps you remember how the music sounds and feels, even when you’re not playing.

🎵 Clap Out the Rhythms: Rhythm is the foundation of every piece! Clap through the rhythms to get comfortable with the timing and flow of the music. This is great for working through any challenging sections.

🎵 Imagine Playing the Piece: Close your eyes and picture yourself playing through each part. Imagine how it sounds and how you feel as you play. Visualizing like this can help make the music feel more familiar and even help with nerves.

Give these "away from the instrument" practices a try, and see how they deepen your understanding of the music!

Happy practicing!

12/11/2024

🎶 Join Us for the Era by Era Concert Series! 🎶

We’re thrilled to launch the Era by Era Concert Series at Newpark Academy of Music! This unique series brings music history to life, showcasing student performances across all instruments and voices. Each concert offers a journey through the evolution of music, from the elegance of the Baroque to the innovation of Modern styles, with insights into each era’s rich historical context.

We'll kick off the series with the Baroque Era at 6pm on Friday, January 31st @ Newpark Academy of Music

Reserve your spot on our Era by Era Concert Series page: https://www.newparkmusic.ie/about-5

Your support directly aids our transition to Booterstown, allowing us to continue offering top quality music education.

All students, even those outside Newpark, are welcome to join! If you need piano accompaniment, please remember to arrange this in advance.

Don’t miss this chance to support our talented students and celebrate music together. We look forward to seeing you on this incredible musical journey! 🎶

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our Era by Era Concert Series at Newpark Academy of Music! Each month, students from Newpark and beyond are invited to perform pieces from a different musical era, creating a wonderful opportunity to showcase talents, explore varied repertoires, and celebra...

11/11/2024

Performance Tip: Ground Yourself Physically

Before stepping onto the stage, take a moment to ground yourself by planting your feet firmly on the floor. Stand tall, relax your shoulders, and feel the strength and stability beneath you. As you press your feet into the ground, visualize roots extending down, anchoring you like a tree 🌳

This simple grounding technique can have a powerful effect on calming performance anxiety. By connecting physically with the floor, you create a sense of stability and control, signaling to your body that you’re safe and ready to perform. It’s an effective way to ease tension, settle nerves, and enter a performance with confidence.

Next time, give it a try and feel the difference in your focus and composure!

07/11/2024

Behind the Music: Meet the Teachers of Newpark

Kevin Brady

Kevin Brady is an accomplished Irish drummer, composer, and educator known for his work in jazz and contemporary music. With over two decades of professional experience, Kevin has performed internationally alongside acclaimed musicians, including Bill Carrothers, Norma Winstone, and Seamus Blake, and has been featured at major jazz festivals in Europe and the U.S.

Kevin's unique approach to rhythm and sound has led to multiple award-winning projects and celebrated recordings. At Newpark Academy of Music, Kevin shares his expertise with students, inspiring them to deepen their understanding of music and develop their own voices as musicians.

Be sure to visit us at buff.ly/3XSavZn to learn more about our courses and enrolment!