About Us

Portobello Music School is a Community Interest Company (CIC) formed in 2005 by Edinburgh-based composer and music educator, Dr Brian Cope. It currently provides comprehensive music education to over 350 children from across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Portobello Music School CIC was formed in 2005 by Edinburgh-based composer and music educator, Dr Brian Cope. It currently provides comprehensive music education to over 350 children from birth to teens from across Edinburgh and the Lothians. We specialize in teaching music to children in a fun, friendly and creative environment where children have the freedom to develop a love and appreciation for music, while building fundamental musical skills that are continually developed throughout their time at the school.

Our approach has been developed to support our belief that every child is musical and that they should have the opportunity to develop in music to whatever level they aspire. We recognize that all children learn differently and therefore draw on a variety of pedagogical methods from the traditional to the contemporary to ensure that no child is left behind in their music education.

Our dynamic team of early music specialists, music teachers and instrumental instructors come from a wide variety of backgrounds in music education and all share a wonderful capacity for enthusing and nurturing our pupils’ love for music.

We provide Musical Pathways to ensure progression for children at the various stages of their musical development.  Children can join our Creative Music Classes at any time from birth to primary 2.  These preparatory classes provide children with the necessary skills for starting Group Instrumental & Musicianship Classes which we offer from primary 3.  We provide these classes from primary 3 to primary 7 after which time children can either continue with us having individual lessons or we can prepare them to study part-time at the junior departments of Edinburgh Napier University or the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  Some children have also gone on to study full-time at St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh Music School, the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School, Edinburgh College, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh University and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Our Saturday music classes take place at Edinburgh College’s Milton Road Campus, which includes CRE:8, the state of the art music practice, recording and performing facility. The music facility includes an auditorium, piano and guitar studios, recording studios, and fully equipped practice, rehearsal and teaching rooms.  The waiting area includes an artisan cafe selling a variety of pastries, cakes, snacks, and hot & cold drinks.