Musical ear
Mezzo Music Academy wants its students to have a well rounded musical education and champions the teaching of many styles of music to match their needs
Armed with a passion for music and the aim of inspiring students of all ages to be just as enthusiastic, Sonya Murphy-Lyons set up Mezzo Music Academy in Dublin in 2011.
The academy teaches all instruments and offers Kindermusik, instrumental classes, private and group instrument tuition, performing arts, jam sessions and choirs.
Starting out with one other teacher and just 17 students, the school now employs over 40 teachers and has a roll call of 450 students, from newborn babies to people in their 80s.
According to Murphy-Lyons, the individual needs of students and their families are at the heart of Mezzo’s offering. “We genuinely care about all of our students, and their musical progress,” she says.
“When new customers come to us saying their child wouldn’t practise for their previous teacher, I try to find out why. I consider the child’s personality, and pair them with the most suitable teacher – as this rapport is so important. If necessary, I also suggest a diversion from the exams for a while in favour of playing ‘fun’ music, which ultimately will result in more practice.”
She works closely with her staff to ensure each student’s lessons are tailored to their specific needs. “We discuss their progress and goals, and make plans for practice programmes, exams, performances, and so on. I work relentlessly on biannual recitals, so I can bring my students to the stage and further enhance their confidence and performing skills.”
All practical exams are facilitated at Mezzo, and examiners from the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Guildhall test the students on the school’s premises in Terenure. “This makes life so much easier for parents, and the students, who are never put forward unless they are 100% ready,” notes Murphy-Lyons.
The focus at Mezzo is on ensuring that students develop a love of music for life and not just for the few years that they are doing exams. “I grew up loving music and still do. While I was being classically trained, my Dad showed me other styles of music at home,” says Murphy-Lyons.
“This helped me to sustain my interest in the often gruelling process of classical training, and gave me an escape to other worlds of music – something every budding musician should be exposed to.”
Over the next two years, Murphy-Lyons hopes to take on 200 additional students and to set up junior and senior orchestras and more specialised masterclasses. With some of her teachers currently undertaking master’s degrees in music therapy, she also wants to get involved in setting up a music therapy centre.
“We genuinely care about all of our students, and their musical progress”