Need to know everything about the music industry? Ever wanted to mix with the movers and shakers in this glamorous and profitable business, and learn the tricks of their trade? Then Suzanne Lappin might just be able to help you. Suzanne is the co-ordinator of a new course which will explain the workings of the international music business, and give an overview of Ireland's ever-expanding music industry. It's aimed at budding Boyzones, wannabe Westlifes and Louis Walshes-in-waiting, who would like to make a career in music, but aren't quite sure how to go about it.

Music Industry Explained (or MIX for short) is a three-month course which starts on November 5th at Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education. The format is simple. Each week, a key figure in the Irish music industry delivers a lecture on their particular area of expertise. Guest speakers include Freddie Middleton, managing director of BMG in Ireland, video producer Dave Heffernan, singer/songwriter Leslie Dowdall, public-relations consultant Niamh Burkeneff and music-business accountant Alan McEvoy. Each lecture is followed by a Q&A session and exercise project. At the end of the course, there's a written exam (nothing too demanding, just to check if you weren't asleep during the course), and a special wrap-night reception during which certificates (and drinks) will be handed out to the graduates. It all sounds like lots of fun, but if you're serious about a career in the music sector, then this course could be for you.

"It's aimed at aspiring artists and people who would like to work in the music industry," says Lappin. "It would also suit people who are thinking of a career change, because it would give them an idea of how the business works. It will probably appeal mostly to professionals aged 18 to 35, but I think anyone with an interest in the business would benefit."

MIX is Lappin's own brainchild, and it's a chance to fulfil her own ambition to work in the music industry.

The 29-year-old mother of one works as a customer advisor with Hibernian insurance company, but her ambition is to build a successful music business career. Her father, Johnny Lappin, is a well-known music publisher, and he has agreed to act as course director, along with Hot Press general manager Jackie Hayden. Both men have years of experience in the Irish music industry, and when Suzanne came to them with the idea for MIX, she was half-expecting these wise owls of the sector to hoot with derision.

"They've been there, done that, and the T-shirt is well worn-out," she laughs. "The two of them are like Waldorf and Sadler (from The Muppets) - it's hard to impress them. So when they liked the idea, I knew it was a good one."

Jackie Hayden will deliver the opening lecture, asking the very pertinent question: "Is the music business an industry at all?" Having signed U2 to their first record contract way back in 1978, he's seen the Irish music industry grow from a pigmy into a giant. Johnny Lappin will give a talk on how to turn your song into a pension - and you're never too young to start thinking about a pension. Freddie Middleton will describe how his record company goes about finding and developing hit artists like Westlife and Brian Kennedy.

Pete Holidai, formerly of the Radiators From Space, and now a producer, will give a straight-talking lecture entitled "Making Shit-Hot Records". If your record can beat the Radiators' Television Screen, you're on the right track. Pete's former band mate, Steve Averill, will also lecture on the importance of image. He should know a bit about that - he's been designing U2's record sleeves since day one.

Jake Kennedy, tour and production manager with U2, will be giving a taste of what life is like on the road with a mega-selling supergroup. Accountant Alan McEvoy, business advisor to such bands as the Cranberries, Ronan Hardiman and Boyzone, will give the bottom line on how to take care of business.

Other prominent music business figures who'll be sharing their wisdom include Willie O'Reilly, chief executive of Today FM; John Carroll of Setanta Records, and former manager of A House; and Eamon Donovan of internet services company Global Music Distribution.

On the final night, Ronan Hardiman, who composed the music for Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance, will give the keynote speech, explaining how he turned body oil into gold.

"The Irish music industry has never been healthier," says Suzanne. "Most of our biggest successes have happened in the past few years - the Corrs, Ash, Westlife, Samantha Mumba. A lot of people want to be as big as these artists, but to do that they need to know a little bit about the music business.

"This course isn't going to tell you everything about the music business - you couldn't learn it all in just three months. But it will give you an insight into the workings of the music industry, and will be particularly useful for people who want to work in the business side of things.

"Also, it's a chance to meet other people who are interested in the same things as you, so you never know, you might meet your future manager, or team up with a talented songwriter. The opportunities are there."

MIX runs weekly from November 5th, 2001, through to February 18th, 2002. For information on enrolment, fees etc., contact Suzanne Lappin at Music Industry College of Europe, (tel (01) 805 8974.