Music Staff & Team

Kevin is a highly enthusiastic and spirited educator, who delights in mentoring musicianship in the Popular Music department, which includes Ukulele, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Keys, & Drums.

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In his new role as Director, Kevin can not wait to facilitate live music performance opportunities  for every musician in the building.

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For more info about Kevin, please click the social media links below.

Mark Fitzgerald is a conductor, musician, singer, arranger/composer and music educator specialising in brass teaching and hails from Waterford City.

He began his musical career at primary school when he joined the Mount Sion CBS Silver Band. Mark has also been a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble and The National Broadcasting Band of Ireland. ​He was Principal Trumpet with the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera for over ten years.

Mark furthered his music education by studying at Waterford Institute of Technology and more recently with Dr. Eibhlis Farrell, head of music at
Dundalk I.T.
 

He joined the Barrack Street Concert Band as a trumpet player in 1987 and was appointed their principal conductor in 2004. Since 2004 Mark has produced yearly critically acclaimed sell-out concerts with the band and has worked with some of Ireland’s finest singers and artists - such as international tenors Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan, sopranos Kathryn Smith and Deidre Masterson, West End superstars Paul Monaghan and David Shannon, and one of Irelands treasures, Mr. Eurovision himself - Johnny Logan (to name but a few).

As well as having the pleasure of working with many of Ireland’s leading musicians, Mark has also worked with some of the UK’s leading brass musicians and conductors such as Jim Shepherd, Mark Wilkinson, Philip Sparke and Mark Heron. He is also very proud to have worked with and conducted the world famous Fodens Brass Band, Manchester.

Mark is in demand as an adjudicator and has worked with organisations such as the Irish Association of Brass and Concert Bands, Limerick School of Music and Feile Luimnigh.
 

He is also heavily involved in BSCB’s youth development programme and is a
member of the music staff at St Canice’s National School, Kilkenny.

Mark has been the Musical Director of the Waterford City Massed Bands since its formation in 2006, and their concerts raise badly needed funds for local charities in Waterford and the south east. He is a brass tutor with the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble and the Irish Association of Youth Orchestra’s. He has been a member of the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra since its foundation in 2014, and is also a member of the Invitational Brass Band of Ireland. He is co-founder and Musical Director of the Elastic Band (a nation wide concert band) who are the current South of Ireland Band Champions. Mark is also a member of one of Ireland’s leading events bands - Brass&Co.

Owen began his musical training on the piano here at St Angela’s. He later took up the viola and went on to study with Ronald Masin at the YES School of Music. Owen obtained his BMus from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has completed his performance and teaching diplomas with the ABRSM and looks forward to welcoming students back in September.

Gillian Fogarty is a music teacher with over seven years of experience in teaching children in traditional Irish music. Studying primary teaching and psychology in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Gillian also prepares children for exams, practicals and overall enjoyment of playing the concertina, tin whistle, flute, fiddle, and piano. Gillian holds a TTCT qualification from Comhaltas and a DipLCM from the London Academy of Music in Irish Traditional Music Performance. Furthermore, she has completed Grade 8 exams in all her instruments and is passionate about sharing her expertise and fostering a deep appreciation for Irish music. She has been a member of the In Tune for Life Orchestra, a traditional Irish music orchestra, for over ten years, as well as the Thomas McDonagh Pipeband, Templemore.  

An Ursuline girl at heart, Katie Cody is delighted to be back in her Alma Mater teaching piano and bassoon. She completed her BMus in the MTU Cork School of Music for which she was awarded First Class Honours. She studied bassoon and contrabassoon under Emma Neal. Katie is an accomplished bassoonist and has been awarded the Feis Maitiu Crowley Perpetual Cup for Senior Woodwind Recital, the Sr Ursula Memorial Medal, and the David Moloney Award for Excellence in Performing Arts. She was the principal bassoonist in the Army Band of the 1st Brigade in Cork. She is currently undertaking a Masters in Music Therapy in UL and a enjoys a varied freelance career in the UK and Ireland. Outside of music Katie enjoys sea swimming, sustainable fashion, and baking.

Linda Ryan is a highly skilled and passionate vocal coach.  Specialising in a range of genres, from Musical Theatre to Classical, Linda has helped countless students refine their vocal technique, develop their unique sound and build confidence in their performances. Linda is a qualified Vocal Habilitation Professional and is currently studying to be a Vocal Rehabilitation Specialist with VHE UK.  This training has provided her with a deep understanding of vocal health, vocal anatomy and a personalised, person-centred approach to teaching. 

As a musical theatre performer Linda first took to the stage here in the Ursuline Secondary School! Since then she has gone on to play many roles including Lucille Frank (Parade), Mother (Ragtime), Lucy Harris (Jekyll & Hyde), Barbara Castle (Made In Dagenham), Buttercup (HMS Pinafore), Sylvia (All Shook Up), Svetlana (Chess), Player 3/Delia (Michael Collins The Musical), Deloris Van Cartier (Sister Act), Mary Magdalene (Jesus Christ Superstar).  Linda brings her wealth of performance experience and stage craft to each lesson and is dedicated to nurturing each student’s talent, ensuring they reach their full potential.

So whether you’re a beginner looking to explore your voice or an advanced singer aiming to polish your skills, Linda offers expert guidance and unwavering support on your musical journey. 

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Most recent qualifications:

2020 -  BAST (Tutor - Ian Davidson)

2021 -   Estill (Levels 1 & 2)

2022 -  Vocal Health First Aider (VHE UK)

2023 -  Vocal Habilitation Professional (VHE UK)

2024 -  Ongoing study: Vocal Rehabilitation Specialist (VHE UK)

Most recent CPD:

2022 - 

Voice Disorders Course

(ICAHN School of Medicine, Mount Sinai)

Practical Breathing Workshop

(Anne Marie Speed)

Contemporary Commercial Music Workshop

(Estill)

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2023 - 

Music Theory Course

(University of Edinburgh)

Fundamental Anatomy Course

(VHE UK)

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2024 - 

Becoming Biopsychosocial / Critical Thinking

(VHE UK)

Manual Therapy

(VHE UK - Stephen King)

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Ongoing study

Counselling Skills for Voice Practitioners

(VHE UK)

Soprano Maria McGrann is a graduate of Queen’s University School of Music Belfast obtaining a Masters in Music. She continued her studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and completed the Recital Artist’s Diploma. Maria was then awarded on to the Northern Ireland Opera Young Artist’s Programme where she made her BBC Radio Ulster debut as soprano soloist of Vaughn Willams’ Serenade to Music with the Ulster Orchestra. She was an Associated Artist of the Boyne Music festival and completing her time in the programme, Maria entered the NI Opera Festival of Voice competition where she was delighted to be the recipient of the Audience Prize. In 2018 Maria was invited to sing as guest soloist for HRH King Charles, in Hillsborough Castle. 

Maria’s operatic engagements have included Adele Die Fledermaus Northern Ireland Opera) Countess Ceprano Rigoletto (NI Opera), Madame Herz Der Shauspieldirektor (Irish National Opera,) Aurore Le Portrait de Manon (Wexford Opera Festival), Musetta La Boheme (Opera in the Open), Zerlina Don Giovanni (Opera in the Open), Sandman & Dew Fairy Hansel & Gretel (Opera in the Open) Soprano of quartet English Eccentrics, Malcom Williamson (British Youth Opera), Cunegonde Candide (Opera in the Open), Josephine HMS Pinafore (Buxton G&S Festival), Queen of the Night Die Zauberflöte (RIAM Opera briefs), title role of Alcina (Queen’s University School of Music), Serpina La Serva Padrona (Castalia Opera), Gianetta Elixir of Love (Opera Theatre Company, cover) and was a student cover of Madame Mao Nixon in China (Wide Open Opera). Maria has also performed in the chorus for numerous productions across Ireland, the most recent being The Second Violinist, Dennehy (INO), Madama Butterfly, Puccini (INO), Aida, Verdi (INO), Don Giovanni (NI Opera), La Boheme (OTC), Koanga and Les Pres aux clercs (WFO).

Maria has performed as soprano soloist in a variety of concerts and recitals including Mozart’s C Minor Mass and Coronation Mass, Handel’s Messiah, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and she performed in the Irish Songmakers series at the Nation Concert Hall Dublin. Maria also teaches piano and flute.

​Orla is a highly sought after voice teacher from Cashel, Co. Tipperary and is known for her bubbly personality and welcoming singing lesson environment. Her love of teaching began in University College Dublin where she directed the Vocal Group with UCD Musical Society. During the many lockdowns, Orla also ran an online choir with UCD Music Society with rehearsals being held via Zoom. 

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After graduating from her Music & Linguistics Degree in 2021, Orla began working as a voice teacher at RK Vocal Studio in Clonmel. Coinciding with this, Orla created a successful voice lesson business "Orla Purcell Music" in her private studio at her home in Cashel. Outside of her private studio Orla has also had the opportunity to teach voice lessons within many secondary schools around Tipperary, who have utilised Orla's skills to teach Voice lessons on school property during school hours.

In 2023, Orla completed the BAST course to improve her knowledge on the human voice in order to be the best possible voice teacher for her students.

Orla is no stranger to performing in front of a live audience and her love for Musical Theatre began in her teenage years. She has graced the stage as Natalie (All Shook Up ) and Hodel (Fiddler on The Roof) with Cashel Community School; Lorraine (All Shook Up) with Tipperary Musical Society; and Eponine (Les Misérables) and Tracey Turnblad (Hairspray) with Excel Youth Theatre. 

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Currently, Orla is the lead vocalist with The Papa Zitas Motown Big Band where she performs weekly at live music venues and wedding events across Ireland since 2021. Orla is also an event and ceremony singer and has been doing so since 2015. 

Orla has mentored a plethora of students through their second level music practical exams, 3rd level singing auditions, and RIAM and RSL vocal exams. She thrives off of guiding students to their full vocal potential.

For more information about Orla, please click on the social media links below.

Rosemary studied for a BA and BMus in music at UCC before taking a two year DipCSM music teaching diploma at the Cork School of Music.

She started teaching piano in 1994 at St John's College Kilkenny before moving to Ennis where she taught piano and music theory at the Maoin Cheoil an Chláir for 23 years. Since 2019 she has taught at St Angelas Academy and the Kilkenny School of Music. 

Rosemary teaches students from beginner to diploma level for ABRSM, RIAM, Trinity College (London) and LCM examinations. She is also an accompanist for examinations and performances. 

For twelve years, Rosemary was a rehearsal and orchestra pianist for Shannon Musical Society. Jesus Christ Superstar, Legally Blonde and Sister Act were some of the musicals performed by the society.

Information coming soon...

Owen started learning the drums from age 9 at home in his garage. His first professional lesson came at 18 in Newpark School of Music under the guidance of Conor Guilfoyle.

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He then went on to study for his Bachelor in Music in University College Cork. On completion of this, he studied for his MA in performance in MTU in Cork. He is now currently studying for his PME (Post Masters of Education) in University of Limerick. 

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In his spare time he runs his own 10 piece Motown wedding band (The Papa Zitas) and enjoys playing drums for musical theatre and shows. 

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He has been working in St Angela’s Academy for the past 7 years and throughly enjoys teaching drums and ukulele to all ages.

A past pupil of the Ursuline Thurles, Michelle is our designated Harp tutor. She did her teaching diplomas in Piano and Harp at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and did a Bachelor of Education in Music in Trinity College.

During her college summers, Michelle played the harp with the Bunratty Entertainers and toured extensively with the group. Michelle also teaches piano and  facilitates students who would like to do Music as an extra subject for Junior and Leaving Cert.

Guitar teacher Tim Rae believes that learning music is a life-long journey.  As a guitar player for over 30 years, he has spent time learning new styles of music, including blues, jazz, ragtime, swing, Irish Trad, classical, as well as rock & popular music.

Outside of the guitar, Tim enjoys learning new musical instruments including Banjo, Mandolin, and most recently Cello and Double Bass.

Tim is passionate about playing music together in community settings.  Over the years he has enjoyed performing in rhythm & blues bands, traditional sessions, musical theatre pits, and currently plays Double Bass in the Thurles Community Orchestra. 

Sonja Cadogan is our beloved Cello/Double Bass tutor and our Thurles  Community Orchestra conductor. She studied Music at the Conservatoire Maastricht in the Netherlands where she completed a Masters degree in Cello.

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Sonja has taught Cello in various Schools of Music including The Hague, Zoetermeer and SKVR in Rotterdam Holland. During her ten years living in the Netherlands, she conducted orchestras for both children and adults to great success.

Fortunately for us here in the Academy, in 1999 she moved to Ireland and established herself here in the Irish Classical Music community, as a well regarded performer, educator and conductor.

Sonja currently conducts the Kilkenny
Community Orchestra and the Kilkenny Elementary Strings Ensemble.

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Sonja also conducts the newly established Thurles Community Orchestra which is open to musicians of all ages to attend every Thursday evening at St Angela's Academy.

Her aim is to inspire students to reach their full musical potential and to encourage music collaboration among students of classical music, whether it is part of a classical ensemble or an orchestra.

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We are so delighted here in the Academy to have Sonja as our Orchestra leader and look forward to growing our new Thurles Community Orchestra with Sonja at the helm.

In her spare time, Sonja also enjoys being a Slieve Bloom walking leader.

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To learn more about Sonja, please click the YouTube icon below.

We are truly fortunate to have Mary Rose McNally as part of our teaching team at St. Angela’s Academy. With over 30 years of dedicated service here – and more than 40 years as a professional musician – Mary Rose brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and care to every lesson.

Her career has been wonderfully diverse: she is an accomplished violinist, pianist, accompanist, and performer, as well as a highly respected musical director and chorus master. She has worked with musical societies across the country, earning multiple awards, including the prestigious AIMS Best Musical Director.

Mary Rose inspired generations of students during her teaching career at the Ursuline Secondary School. Her gift lies not only in her exceptional musical expertise but also in her ability to nurture and encourage young musicians, helping them discover their own love of music.

Parents and students alike find Mary Rose’s teaching style warm, engaging, and inspiring. She brings joy, enthusiasm, and a deep respect for the transformative power of music into every class. We are privileged to have such a talented and passionate educator guiding our students on their musical journeys.

Ann-Marie Dwan has been teaching here at St Angela's Academy for more than twenty years. In that time she has trained countless students of Violin and Piano to great success. Ann-Marie is also a popular piano accompanist here at St Angela's Academy serving many a voice and violin student's RIAM exam as their piano accompanist. Always one to put her students at ease, Ann-marie is a beloved teacher and known to all in the Thurles community. In her spare time, Ann-Marie enjoys directing the Cathedral Folk Group, playing in the Thurles Community Orcherstra and assisting many a musician at a wedding/funeral event. 

Aoife is a fully qualified primary school teacher with 11 years teaching experience in Ireland and abroad. She is classically trained and has been playing the violin for over 20 years. She is a highly proficient player having completed up to grade 8 with the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she also received a distinction in both the silver and gold medal examinations.

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Aoife was an integral member of the Clare Music Makers Orchestra for eight years, playing in the first violin position for four. Furthermore, she was an active member of a string quartet for 5 years performing at weddings and other functions. While learning classical violin with Clare Music Makers, she studied traditional fiddle lessons with Mary Custy and played with the Ennis trad youth group run by Padraig O’Reilly, where she partook in céilí band competitions and performed in the Glór theatre in Ennis.

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Aoife is very passionate about traditional Irish music and hopes to instil this love in the children that’s she teaches. Children will learn the many skills and techniques associated with traditional music while also being exposed to a variety of songs from each tune type.

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Pat is a retired member of the Irish Defence Forces having served 23 years at home and abroad with the Army Band of the 1st Brigade in Cork. He played solo clarinet and saxophone with the band. He has also performed with the Concert Orchestra accompanying artists such as Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Storm. He is now a brass and woodwind teacher/performer and has tutored with various bands and orchestras around Munster. He mentors musicians in both the classical and jazz genres and enjoys seeing them progress through the R.I.A.M grades, including preparing them for the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert practical exams.

Irish Mezzo Soprano Gina Oberoi-Engela is an award-winning soloist, with a distinguished career in opera, oratorio, and concert performances both in Ireland and internationally. Her career has taken her to stages in Germany, Italy, Romania, Japan, and the Czech Republic.

Known for her versatility and captivating performances, Gina is a regular soloist at the Limerick Opera Festival, where she frequently appears in their performances.

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In 2019, Gina was a company artist with Cork Opera. She was delighted to be invited back in 2024 to sing the role of "Dritte Dame " in Cork Opera's production of Mozart's 'Die Zauberflöte.'

As a soloist, Gina has performed with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and other prominent Irish orchestras. Her performances have been broadcast on RTÉ Lyric FM, showcasing her remarkable vocal abilities to a wider audience.

 A dedicated recital and concert artist, Gina regularly performs in venues throughout Ireland with works such as Mahler's "Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen" which was performed at the 2023 Clonmel Junction Festival and lunchtime concerts at Maynooth University and Mary Immaculate College Limerick, with Irish composer Martin O’Leary.  

 Other highly acclaimed performances include Respighi's "Il Tramonto in Waterford with Madrigallery and the role of “Jackie Kennedy” in Niall Morris’ production of "Callas" at the Bord Gais Theatre, Dublin. 

Gina's international engagements include performing at the centenary concert given by the Irish Embassy in Bucharest to commemorate the 1916 Rising. She has also sung the alto solos in the world premieres of Dan Forest’s "Jubilate Deo" and Irish composer Martin O’Leary’s "Psalmus" marking the 50th anniversary of the Maynooth Choral Society. O’Leary then composed a piece specifically for Gina, which premiered in 2023 at several venues.

In the realm of sacred music, Gina has performed as a soloist across Ireland and Europe with prominent choral societies. 

Gina earned honours in both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music from the Conservatory of Music and Drama at TU Dublin. Her pursuit of excellence led her to receive further coaching at the Bayrische Staatsoper in Munich and the National Opera Studio in London, honing her craft under the guidance of some of the industry's finest professionals.

Gina is a singing voice specialist with a strong commitment to teaching. She remains current with the latest advancements in vocal pedagogy and vocology. Gina has completed numerous courses, including:

- Vocal Anatomy

- Self-Laryngeal Massage

- Vocal Health First Aid

- Water Resistance Therapy for Voice Training

- Designing Exercises for Classical and Contemporary Singers

- Preventing Vocal Fatigue

She is currently pursuing a course in vocal habilitation.

Eva McNally is an accomplished voice, piano, and violin teacher with a BMus from MTU Cork School of Music, where she specialised in voice and conducting. She brings a wealth of experience as both a performer and an educator, with a career that spans stage, orchestra, and classroom.

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As a seasoned performer, Eva has taken on leading roles in major musical theatre productions, including Miss Saigon, West Side Story, and Jekyll & Hyde. Alongside her vocal and theatrical achievements, she has extensive experience as a violinist, performing in pit orchestras from a young age.

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Eva has been teaching since her early twenties and has developed a reputation for her ability to inspire students across a wide range of instruments and genres. Her holistic approach to music education reflects her deep understanding of performance, technique, and artistry.

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Having recently returned to Ireland after several years working professionally in Australia, Eva is delighted to be returning to her true passion—music. She is excited to bring her expertise, energy, and love for the art to St Angela’s Academy, Thurles, and looks forward to nurturing the next generation of musicians.

Maria Fennessy hails from Clonmel and started studying music at an early age. The classical flute was to be her instrument of choice, studying through the R. I. A.M  Dublin and W.I.T

On finishing school Maria attended The Cork School of Music where she received a BMus with honours 2006. In 2007 Maria attended UCD to study music and history where she was awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Education with honours. 

Since then Maria has worked  in many schools and colleges of music across Ireland teaching recorder, flute, choir, ensemble performance, ukulele and the theory of music to a wide range of ages. Not only sharing success as a teacher, but also as a conductor across many disciplines. She has conducted award winning concert, brass and marching bands in National and International competitive circuits and is no stranger to choir and musical theatre groups.

Currently she is the musical director of SS Peter and Paul's Church Choir Clonmel and Encorestage Academy Dungarvan. Maria has been delivering music education to leaving certificate students, training teachers, college students and flute students for many years.

A music educator with Music Generation Tipperary, Maria teaches and shares her love of music with Primary School Children across the south of the county.  Many of her students have continued their music studies to high standards resulting in professional careers. 

Having studied under some of Ireland and Europe's leading musicians and educators, Maria holds a high standard as both professional musician and educator.

Recently Maria has undertaken Kodály training through NYCOS among other ongoing continuous development through Trinity College London. She has been fortunate to be part of many examining boards across performance and written exams, a position she is honoured and proud of. Being a member of many adjudication teams has taken Maria on travels across the Uk, Europe and Indonesia. 

Anne  has been teaching Violin here in the Academy for nearly 15 years. She is especially gifted at nurturing musical talent in our younger Violin students.

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As a past pupil of the Ursuline, Anne is proud to continue the legacy of the Ursuline music education here at St Angela's Academy of Music. 

Mary has many years experience teaching piano in St Angela's Academy to students (including adults) from beginner to advanced levels with great success.

Students can choose between the RIAM examination pieces, or if they so wish, they may choose to learn non exam pieces of their choosing. 

Mary also teachers the recorder.

Caroline has been a Classical and Traditional music educator in Tipperary for many Years. We have been fortunate to have Caroline here at the Academy since 2018, where she specializes in teaching Piano to young children who are at the beginning of their musical journey. 

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Students of Caroline can choose to study classical music for examination purposes, or alternatively, they can choose to study pieces for personal enjoyment instead.

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Caroline enjoys meeting new students every year, and is looking forward to continuing her classes with her current students in September.

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Homegrown in Thurles, Kate is a passionate musician/drummer who offers student focused and engaging music lessons. Kate believes in guiding her students into the wonderful world of music and all the many oppertunities that a life in music can offer.

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From playing in bands as a teenager in Thurles, to playing with bands all over Europe, Kate has built up years of live performance experience playing stages in Paris, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, England and many more. She has also recently graduated from Cork School of Music, with a bachelors degree in Popular Music, specialising in the drum kit.

Kate believes in creating a positive and fun learning environment for her students. Her teaching approach is tailored to individual needs, focusing on building a strong technical foundation while fostering a love for music.

Kate also offers lessons in Electric Bass guitar, and is passionate about helping students reach their full potential through graded exam courses such as Rock School London or Trinity College London.