"A great hit! Plenty of action, equipment and enjoyment.... with lots of learning sneaking in too."
M. Kavanagh, Principal, St Joseph's N.S., Co. Kilkenny

Rhythm & Shakes started it's business venture back in January 2006. Our work was originally based in the Waterford region but since has spread into South Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford.

Our vision was to bring music with a difference to primary schools of the South East. We have an exciting World Music and Education programme where children are exposed to an array of world music in a fun and educational way. Children are afforded the opportunity to learn about different cultures and musical forms from West Africa, Indonesia and Polynesia. The classes unfold over a four week course, with lessons exploring interlocking rhythms, unison rhythms while using percussion instruments, body percussion and vocal techniques. All instruments are provided. 

The children learn through a combination of oral, aural, visual and kinaesthetic approaches. Each class aims to improve listening skills, concentration, co-ordination and gross and motor development. Our concept is to encourage social skills and teamwork in a playful creative environment through the three core strands of the music curriculum; listening and responding, composition and performance. 


Since then we have branched out into the senior circuit conducting day workshops in secondary schools and holding adult classes. We focus on developing musical ability by using intricate polyrhythms primarily associated within the West African and Indonesian music culture.

For five years Rhythm & Shakes co-ordinated the Waterford Institute of Technology's Kids Musik Klub and went onto set up our own childrens programme called Music Explorers which caterred for 4-6 year old's. 

Rhythm and Shakes has also delivered workshops for Youthreach, Healing Arts Groups and Festivals.