BALLYMENA SCHOOL OF MUSIC
WE LOVE MUSIC
LEARN WITH US

We are BSM

At Ballymena School of Music (BSM) we are passionate about two things. Music and Teaching.

Through our first class teaching at BSM, we will provide you with the skills that you need to achieve your goals and ambitions in music.

BSM provide first class musical tuition in Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Keyboard, Drums, Percussion, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Vocals, Tin Whistle and Music Theory.

Lessons take place at our fully-equipped premises at 30A Ballymoney Road, Ballymena.

BSM has been leading the way in professional music tuition since 2007. BSM continues to thrive and expand with each coming and passing year. Here at Ballymena School of Music we are proud to have created a fun and relaxed environment open to all within the wider community to learn in. BSM has been integral in developing talent across all age ranges in a positive, warm and encouraging environment.

The teaching team tutors at BSM are a varied collection of professional music graduates, lecturers and performing musicians, all of which are fully qualified and hold current enhanced disclosure certificates. At BSM we feel that both health and safety and the protection of children/vulnerable adults are a crucial part of our roles as tutors and we therefore, have a current working policy in place for both tutors and students.

Ballymena School of Music is a privately owned business and is not associated to any other music school.

Tuition

Learning a musical instrument has many benefits no matter what your age. Proven benefits include, enhancing coordination, fostering perseverance, sharper concentration skills and lower stress levels. All of this whilst providing you with a wonderful sense of achievement. With all of these fantastic benefits, the only question is, what are you waiting for?

At BSM we offer a variety of tuition across a wide range of areas. All of our music rooms are fully equipped with only the very best equipment. We offer one-to-one tuition along with group workshops in all instruments.

Theory workshops

At BSM we also offer innovative music theory workshops that complement all our practical lessons. As experienced musicians we know first hand that practical and theory not only complement each other, but also enhance each students progress.

We know how important it is for students to have a good understanding of music theory, as it will improve music skills and the progress made on the instrument. Music theory will help students who want to study music at GCSE or A level and for those wanting to study at higher education.

At BSM we encourage all our students to take a theory workshop once a year or alternatively, individual lessons throughout the academic year. Theory will cover the basics from reading music, learning about time and key signatures through to more complex topics such as harmony and melody composition. Theory exams can be taken with ABRSM, LCM and Trinity.

Pre-instrumental Lessons – Little Music Makers

At BSM little music makers are exciting classes designed as a pre-instrumental session for those children with an interest in starting into the world of music, but are too young yet to start individual lessons.

Little Music Makers workshop is designed for children aged 3-5 and introduces them to the basic elements of music such as rhythm, singing, sound, movement and trying different instruments, all while having fun in a supportive, encouraging environment.

Some fun facts about BSM?

1185

Facebook Likes

1191

Tunes Played Per Week

134

Guitarists

Cups of Coffee Per Week

The piano keys are black and white but they sound like a million colors in your mind.

— Maria Cristina Mena —

Our Services

Our services are delivered by our team who have years of experience and are passionate about music.

Individual Lessons

Individual lessons provide personalised attention that enables students to progress at their own pace, improve their skills and learn their favourite songs that is most suited to their particular interests and needs. We at BSM teach a variety of styles and genre’s, and most importantly, all of our lessons are designed around the individual student. Many students want to work towards an exam where as other’s want to improve for their own enjoyment, everyone has different ambitions and we design the lessons with that in mind.

Group Classes

Classes are held throughout the year and are designed for the beginner student in a group setting. The beginner classes are held once a week over a 6-week period. Classes are designed to provide a basic understanding of the instrument in a fun relaxed environment before progressing onto individual lessons. Group classes can be taken on a variety of instruments.

Workshops

Throughout the year there are a variety of workshops to attend and try out.

We offer a wide range of services for musical tuition from pre-instrumental classes, band workshops, choir, string group,theory grades 1- 8, skills workshops for aural training, sight-reading and assistance with GCSE/A-Level composition.

Please contact us for current workshops offered.

School Tuition

Nursery, Primary and High School tuition available.

We offer tuition during school hours and can provide one-to-one or group lessons, depending on what your school requires.

Tuition available; Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Drums/Percussion, Piano/Keyboard, Violin, Singing.

If you would like any of these instruments for your school, or for more information, please call 028 25 655669.

Lessons at Home

Home Visits

BSM can provide quality music tuition from the comfort of your own home. We will arrange a time that suits you and come to you even in the most adverse weather that the UK has to throw at us. You don’t have to move from the comfort of your own home! If you are a parent you can get on with what it is you need to do at home. We believe this is invaluable to you in a busy world and it also saves you fuel!

Internet Lessons

Skype is another option for you to take lessons with us. All you need is:

A powerful enough computer, good broadband and a webcam.
A skype account. This can be sorted free of charge at skype.com
A time that suits both yourself and your teacher.

To get started or for pricing call us now on 028 25 655669

Ten reasons to learn at BSM!

All of our tutors are fully qualified on their chosen instrument(s) and each hold an enhanced disclosure background check certificate.
We are proud to have a proven track record of success. Literally hundreds of students have taken exams with us and obtained very high marks across all instruments and boards. Many of our students have also gone on to study music at universities, play in bands and gig regularly.
All of our tutors are passionate in what they do and teach in a friendly, fun, and relaxed environment, most of whom are professional musicians who perform regularly.
We teach 6 days a week. Our lessons are at times that suit our students.
Our lessons take place in a fully equipped, professional music school. For our students we only use the very best equipment available.

We teach all ages. From young children to adults and OAP’s, it’s never to early or late to learn an instrument!
We pride ourselves in our teaching approach, which is modern, fresh, and appealing to all.
We don’t just use one examination board! We cover all, the very best recognised graded syllabuses around. ABRSM, LCM, RGT, Rockschool and Trinity. If graded examinations aren’t what you are after, don’t worry! We can create lessons based on your particular musical interests.
We are the public center for Rockschool examinations. You will learn on the very kit and amps that you will use in your exams. We know what it takes to get the best grade achievable.
Whatever you want from music, we can help you. From completing a grade to having fun learning your favourite songs and improving on your instrument, we can help.

What our Clients say

“In my time at BSM I have found all the tutors I have encountered to be very welcoming and friendly which gives the school a nice atmosphere. The tutors I have had are all good teachers in music and they genuinely care that I succeed in my instrument and grade exams. They are patient and helpful in their approach, especially when explaining things I don’t understand in music theory! BSM are very accommodating in finding a time that suits you for your lesson.”
— Verity Grant —
“I have only started to learn piano – I love it! Heather is my teacher she makes learning fun. I enjoy learning new pieces and its great fun trying to play them on the big floor piano.”
— Emma Eagleson, Aged 7 —
“I love going to Ballymena School of Music. I think Heather is a great piano teacher. She helps me to learn new piano pieces and I think its great fun when she plays along with me which helps me understand how it should sound. In the past year I have got a distinction in my Grade 2 and a merit in my Grade 3. Thank you Heather.”
— Jake Eagleson, Aged 10, Studying Grade 4 Piano —
“Why do I like Ballymena School of Music?. Well first of all BSM is dedicated to helping you reach your full potential no matter what instrument you are playing. The teachers there are so nice and committed to helping you. I have been with BSM since 2008 and I wouldn’t change it for anything, the atmosphere is so friendly.”
— Robyn Elliott, Studying Piano —
“This is a great school where my son has had the opportunity to study how to play guitar! He really enjoys it and likes the different methods of teaching.”
— Vlad Sakarov —
“In Ballymena School of Music, there are many things I like, one of the things is that the tutors are really friendly and encourage you to succeed. Also I like the way you learn using different methods.”
— Amy Wilson, Studying Piano and Singing —
“My 8 year old son has been attending the Ballymena School of Music for over 2 years now. He is learning to play the guitar and thoroughly enjoys his one-one lessons. The tutors are professional, enthusiastic about music and always encourage Kevin to play to the best of his ability. He is advancing well in such little time already.”
— Paula McCallister —
“All 3 of my children have made great progress at BSM. My son has even taken up a second instrument. A great team of staff have made their lessons more than enjoyable. Highly recommended.”
— Kate Daniels —
“I’ve been attending Ballymena School of Music for six years now, and i know from experience that all the teachers and staff are lovely and never fail to make you welcome. Stuart has been my teacher for piano and guitar since I began back when I was nine, there’s never been a time where i haven’t enjoyed the lesson! He has taught me since I was a beginner and I am now working on my sixth grade in rock school. All the teachers are extremely friendly and the facilities are fantastic, very well equipped with all the equipment and instruments needed for musicians at any level. I would highly recommend the school for anyone looking to learn an instrument or wanting professional lessons and techniques, or for the more experienced musician.”
— Michael Lamont, Guitar and Piano Student —
“My children have both been learning piano with BSM for a few years now and both thoroughly enjoy it. I can’t speak highly enough of the staff at BSM – they are patient and friendly and are excellent at engaging young children and making learning fun.”
— Karen Young —

Our Team

Professional and Outstanding tuition delivered by our passionate team makes us unique in every sense.

Who are we anyway?

Meet the Team

Co-Owner,Piano and Theory tutor, Educator, Composer and Songwriter

Co-Owner, Lecturer, Guitarist, Pianist

Strings Tutor / Co-Ordinator

Guitar, Electric Bass, Double Bass and Cello

Guitar Tutor

Drum Kit and Percussion Tutor

Vocal Tutor

Piano Tutor

Flute, Piano and Theory Tutor

Guitar and Bass Tutor

Vocal and Violin Tutor

EXAMINATIONS

Ballymena School of Music holds accredited music board examinations three times a year for both its own students and external students. We not only prepare the students for the exam but also enter all of our students filling in the necessary paperwork on your behalf. Please find a list of the main examination boards that we teach.

EXAMINTION COSTS

Prices for the exams can be found on the examinations website or please contact us for up-to-date information.

UCAS

Points and credits are now awarded for taking both practical and theory examinations, please visit the UCAS website for current information.

Contact

We'd really love to hear from you so why not drop us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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Open Hours: 2pm – 9pm Weekdays, and Saturday 9am – 3pm.
Please call: 028 25 655669 to make an appointment, book a lesson or to find out more.