How much does the Kids Programme cost?

The website lists 2024/25 fees of AED 3,000 a term for two days a week, or AED 5,000 a term for four days a week. Newer fees are not on the site, so ask the institute for current fees.

How much are private lessons?

The website's 2023 price list gives AED 175 per 40-minute class, or AED 1,800 for a package of 12 classes (normally AED 2,100), valid for 12 weeks. Confirm current prices when you enquire.

Which instruments can children learn?

Emaar names the oud, qanun, nay and violin. The institute's 2023 course page also lists darbouka, req, cello and clarinet for private lessons. Ask which instruments have teachers for children now.

Email ArabicMusicInstitute@emaar.ae, call 04 448 5100 or send a DM on Instagram (@arabicmusicinstitute.ae). The Google listing says an appointment is required, so book before you visit.

Arabic Music Institute

Q: Is there a free trial lesson?

No trial lesson is published. In July 2025 the institute ran a free five-day music week for children aged 7 and above, ending in a Talent Exam, so ask whether another one is planned.

MusicOud & Arabic Music

Checked Sept 2026Details checked September 2026

Downtown Dubai

Ages6+years and up
PriceAED 175a class, lowest price
OpenAskNot published yet
WhereDowntown DubaiOpen in Maps

The Arabic Music Institute is Emaar Entertainment's school of Arabic music in Downtown Dubai, next to Hotel Boulevard. Emaar describes music lessons for adults and children, programmes for kids focused on foundational learning, and private lessons on traditional instruments such as the oud, qanun, nay and violin. On the institute's website, the 2024/25 Kids Programme was a long-term course for children aged 6 to 9, mixing instrument lessons, rhythm, chorus singing, music theory and solfeggio. In July 2025 the institute ran a free five-day music week for children aged 7 and above, with games and Arabic instruments, ending in a Talent Exam. The building has training rooms, a sound recording room, a majlis, performance areas for recitals and a music museum. The website still shows 2024/25 term dates and fees, so ask for the current terms before you plan. The institute is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 7:30pm, and is rated 4.8 on Google from 38 reviews.

arabicmusicinstitute.ae Instagram YouTube

The activity

Oud & Arabic Music, explained

Arabic music is built on maqams, the scales and moods that give it its sound, and on rhythms kept by hand drums such as the darbouka and the riq. Children usually start by feeling the beat through clapping, movement and rhythm games, then learn to sing simple Arabic songs and read music through solfeggio. From there they pick an instrument: the oud, a short-necked lute; the qanun, a plucked zither played flat on the lap; or the ney, an end-blown reed flute. Along the way they build listening skills, coordination and breath control, and a link to the region's musical heritage. Many children start at around six or seven.

Who it's for

Children and adults. On the website, the 2024/25 Kids Programme was for ages 6 to 9, with 6- and 7-year-olds on Monday and Wednesday and 8- and 9-year-olds on Tuesday and Thursday. The free music week in July 2025 was for children aged 7 and above. Emaar lists music lessons for adults and children, so older children, teens and parents can learn too. Ask which age groups are taking new students this term, and ask the institute about support for special needs.

What to expect

The website, last updated in 2024, describes the children's courses: rhythm through body movement and games, building up to rhythm-centred songs; chorus singing with child-friendly Arabic songs for voice, breathing and language; and music theory and solfeggio, from musical symbols and notes on to maqams and solfeggio with the qanun. New students sat an Ability Test: a week of rhythm, voice, singing and homework tasks scored by a panel of five. In July 2025 this took the form of a free five-day music week ending in a Talent Exam, and parents were invited to tour the school and meet the teachers. Ask about trial lessons and whether instruments are provided.

Highlights

Programmes for kids, plus music lessons for adults and children (emaar.com)
2024/25 Kids Programme for ages 6-9: instrument lessons, rhythm, chorus singing, music theory and solfeggio (arabicmusicinstitute.ae)
Free five-day music week for children aged 7 and above in July 2025, ending in a Talent Exam (Instagram)
Traditional instruments such as the oud, qanun, nay and violin (emaar.com)
Training rooms, a sound recording room, a majlis, performance areas and a music museum on site (emaar.com)
Rated 4.8 on Google from 38 reviews (Google listing)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

The Arabic Music Institute is rated 4.8 on Google from 38 reviews. 36 of those are five-star, with one three-star and one one-star review.

The facts

Ages: Kids Programme, 2024/25: ages 6-9
Free music week, July 2025: ages 7 and above
Lessons for adults and children
(arabicmusicinstitute.ae; Instagram; emaar.com)
Prices: Kids Programme, 2024/25 fees: AED 3,000 per term (two days a week)or AED 5,000 per term (four days a week)
Private lessons, 2023 price list: AED 175 per 40-minute classor AED 1,800 for 12 classes (normally AED 2,100)
Confirm current fees
(arabicmusicinstitute.ae)
Schedule: Kids Programme, 2024/25 timetable: ages 6-7 on Monday and Wednesday, ages 8-9 on Tuesday and Thursday. Ask for the current term dates (arabicmusicinstitute.ae)
Where: Arabic Music Institute, next to Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection, Downtown Dubai
How to book: [email protected] · +971 4 448 5100 · instagram.com/arabicmusicinstitute.ae
Opening hours: Mon–Fri10am–7:30pm
Sat–SunClosed

Guide · 7 min readRead: How many activities is too many? A guide by age

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Open Monday to Friday, 10am-7:30pm; DM, call or email to book (Instagram)
The Kids Programme fees and term dates on the website are for 2024/25; ask for the current terms (arabicmusicinstitute.ae)
Appointment required (Google listing)
Free parking lot (Google listing)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance, car park, seating and toilet (Google listing)