ACO Families

About ACO Families

Our ACO Families program brings children and their grown-ups into the world of live music through a wide variety of family shows, creative experiences, workshops and early years classes. Designed to inspire curiosity and spark a lifelong love of music, these offerings blend storytelling, performance and play in our purpose-built spaces at ACO On The Pier.

We love welcoming families to our home in Sydney’s Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, where people of all ages can explore music, connect with our musicians and enjoy engaging experiences throughout the year.

“We love the children's concerts, they're an absolute delight to watch! Such high quality and amazing music.” - ACO Families Attendee

Types of Experiences

Concerts
Our Children’s Concerts invite young music lovers and their families into a world of imagination, storytelling and live performance. Held at ACO On The Pier in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, these concerts are designed to spark curiosity and make classical music feel joyful, playful and accessible.

Whether it’s your child’s first musical experience or part of a growing tradition, our concerts offer an engaging way to connect with music and with each other. For families joining us for the first time, our popular Family Days are ideal, with a short concert plus a hands-on opportunity for children to try an instrument.

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Workshops

Our hands on workshops give children the chance to dive deeper into music making. From multi day string workshops to sessions for cello and violin, these programs offer a supportive space to learn new skills and build confidence.

As part of our broader Learning Experiences, these workshops nurture curiosity and support every child’s musical journey. Led by our experienced educators and held in our purpose-built spaces at ACO On The Pier, they offer a welcoming environment where children can learn, play and connect through music.
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Classes

ACO Music & Movement is an eight-week term of playful early years classes for children aged 2.5 to 5. Led by our experienced early years music educator, these small group sessions use Dalcroze, Kodály and Orff approaches tailored to each child’s developmental stage.

These classes sit within our Learning Experiences program and are designed to help children explore music in creative, hands-on ways. Families love the welcoming atmosphere at The Neilson, and classes fill fast, so joining the waitlist is encouraged.
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Relaxed Performances

Our 50‑minute Relaxed Performances are designed to be accessible and welcoming for children, families, people on the autism spectrum, people with disability, those with additional access needs, and parents with babies. Audiences are encouraged to relax, respond to the music, make noise and simply enjoy being themselves.
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Helpful Information for Families

Babies welcome to be held in arms during concert
Children are welcome to sit on the floor near the musicians during many family concerts
Pram‑friendly foyers and open spaces
Families welcome to bring small snacks to consume in the foyer before and after concert or class
Craft activities in the foyer during many family events
Lounges and tables for relaxation
Bathrooms close by and easy to access with young children
Lifts and stairs available for easy movement with prams and little ones
Getting here is easy — Barangaroo Metro is the closest station, approximately 10 minutes' walk to ACO On The Pier (possibly slightly longer with children in tow)

“I was so grateful for a child-friendly space that allowed my 3-year-old son to listen to exceptional performers and REAL music without feeling he had to sit still and quiet. He hasn’t stopped talking about the performance since we left the building.” - ACO Families Attendee