Classes & Tutors

Irish Music Festival, Nelson

All classes are taught in the traditional style, by ear, and students are expected to be familiar with playing traditional Irish music and comfortable learning by ear. The classes are not suitable for beginners. Most classes will be taught at an intermediate to advanced level. If you have any questions, or would like advice in evaluating your playing level, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Flute

Conal O'Grada - Ireland

We are delighted to have a super star of the Irish music scene, Conal O'Grada for the 2012 Ceol Aneas Festival.

A multiple All Ireland winner in his youth, Conal’s debut recording ‘The Top of Coom’ in 1990 is still regarded as a seminal recording of flute-playing.

Conal takes the basic elements of traditional music and forges them into a personal style which, once heard is unforgettable. His fast, rhythmically precise flute-playing has an earthy raucous tone reminiscent of the saxophone and is driven by a spirit from the true heart of traditional music. Conal has played, toured and recorded with many of the music’s leading exponents and it is with great excitement that the world of Irish Traditional Music greets the news that his long overdue second recording, Cnoc Buí is now on release.

Free Reed/Accordion

Benny McCarthy - Ireland

We are delighted to have a super star from the band Danu, Benny McCarthy for the 2012 Ceol Aneas Festival.

Playing since he was 13 years, Benny is one of Irelands best young exponents on accordion. He founded the band Danu in 1995. His playing is described as powerful and soulful. He comes from Co.Waterford in the sunny south east of Ireland.

Level: Intermediate & Advanced

Fiddle

Louise Phelan - Ireland

Intermediate & advanced
Louise is a highly accomplished fiddle player from County Laois. She learned her craft from her grandfather at the tender age of four. It was not long before her talent was recognised and she began touring abroad at fourteen. She graduated with Honours in Music from UCC in 2001, and two years later qualified as a Primary School teacher. Since then, Louise has played and won prestigious competitions with ‘The Bridge Ceili Band’, ‘The Triogue Ceili Band’ and the group ‘Fiddlesticks’ with whom she made a CD; ‘Racket in the Rectory’. Louise has just returned from touring with the highly acclaimed ‘Dance of Desire’ in China. Although she is known for her skill and style on the fiddle, she is also a highly proficient teacher of the tin-whistle, mandolin, banjo, and the piano..

Irish Banjo Tutor Cliodhna Costello - Ceol Aneas 2012

Banjo/Mandolin

Cliodhna Costello - Ireland

All Ireland Champion on the Banjo in 2003, Cliodhna is from Roscrea but currently living in Palmerston North.

Level: Intermediate & Advanced

Guitar

Jon Sanders - Ireland - guitar

Jon is a leading exponent in drop D and DADGAD guitar playing, a virtuoso bouzouki player and tenor ukele player and an internationally acclaimed composer.