A cornerstone of Filipino musical education in Dubai, the Jumeirah Music Centre (JMC) stands proudly within Jumaira Plaza mall. Since its inception in 2004 by Marian Nelson, a fervent music educator with a rich Filipino heritage, JMC has blossomed into the region’s leading music training center. It is celebrated for its unwavering dedication to cultivating young musicians, blending stringent training with a nurturing environment that feels like a second home to its Filipino teachers and students alike.
At its core, JMC is distinguished by its Filipino heritage, with a dedicated team of Filipino teachers and staff who bring a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and cultural insight to their roles.
“Our full-time teaching staff are all Filipinos, each with extensive teaching experience and holding bachelor degrees in Music. We are a solid and dedicated team, united in our goal to uplift the talent and abilities of the Filipino community in the Middle East,” explains Marian with The Global Filipino Magazine.
From voice and piano to violin, flute, and drums, JMC offers a comprehensive range of individual and group lessons, designed to cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of its students. The center prides itself on creating an encouraging and non-competitive musical environment that supports individual creativity and self-esteem, setting it apart from other music training centers.
“We care deeply about the musical growth of our students and teachers alike. At JMC, learning is a continuous journey,” Marian states, highlighting the center’s commitment to ongoing professional development for its staff.
Central to JMC’s success is its focus on high-quality music education, rooted in the belief that music is an exact science, demanding precise knowledge and technical skill.
“Music is exact. It’s like science. One needs to know every component of a note’s value and pitch to make music and be able to teach it,” Marian emphasizes, underscoring the importance of formal qualifications in music for all JMC teachers.
This rigorous approach ensures that students receive instruction of the highest standard, preparing them for both practical examinations and lifelong musical enjoyment.
The Filipino-owned music school’s innovative approach to music education also extends to its youngest learners. Marian, drawing on her personal experience as a mother, has crafted a progressive curriculum that introduces children to music from a very early age, fostering early exposure to music and its myriad benefits for young learners.
“We believe that early exposure to music brings immense benefits to young learners, nurturing their creativity, self-expression, and overall development,” Marian shares.
Beyond individual lessons, JMC enriches its students’ musical journeys through a variety of concert and performance opportunities. From student concerts and master classes with visiting artists to festive celebrations, JMC creates platforms for its students to showcase their talents and achievements, contributing to their overall musical development.
“Our center is a community within a community, and we celebrate our students’ and teachers’ learning achievements through performances,” Marian remarks.
Looking to the future, JMC harbors ambitious plans for expansion, with aspirations to bring its internationally recognized music education system to the Philippines.
“Our future goal is to bring Jumeirah Music Centre to the Philippines, sharing our international standard music system with our inherently musical Filipino community,” Marian reveals.
This vision is inspired by JMC’s successful establishment of a sister center in Perth, Australia, which has been recognized as one of the best music schools in the region.