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.
Tutors for 2020
Flute
Steph Geremia
Irish flautist and singer, highly regarded as one of the top musicians of her generation and perhaps best known as a mainstay member of the critically acclaimed Irish group, Alan Kelly Gang, Steph Geremia brings a wealth of musical scholarship to her love for Ireland’s North Connaught tradition, as displayed on her sparkling 2018 release Up She Flew. “Exceptional skill and musicality. . . a masterclass in Irish flute” (Folkworld) ★★★★ RnR ★★★★ Songlines. As a founding member of the Alan Kelly Gang with whom she has worked for the past 12 years, Steph has toured extensively around the globe and performed at top world and folk music festivals including WOMADelaide, Port Fairy Folk Festival and The National Folk Festival in Australia. Steph also regularly tours with the outstanding Scottish songstress, Eddi Reader and in the past has performed with critically acclaimed artists including the Grammy award winning Chieftains, Sea Road Sessions, Kris Drever (Lau), Ian Carr, Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonagh (De Dannan), John McCusker & Heidi Talbot, Líadan and many more. Steph is a highly sought after teacher who has taught masterclasses at international festivals, developed the beginner flute course for the Online Academy of Irish Music and teaches regularly via Skype and in Galway Ireland, where she is based.
“as good an album of top-drawer Irish tradition as is imaginable” RnR
“fabulous flute playing… a masterclass in Irish flute” FolkWorld
“effortless… a peach of a record that demands your attention” Living Tradition
“flawless… a must have for your collection” Irish Music Magazine
Learn more about Steph on on her website: https://stephgeremia.com/
Fiddle
Ben Gunnery
Ben started musical education at the age of 6 on tin whistle. Born in Dublin and bought up in London of Irish and French parents. He moved on to piano and violin and over the period of a couple of years fell in love for the first time : with the violin under the careful guidance of his violin mummy Sarah Drury. Hearing Yehudi Menuhin playing the Brahms violin concerto … changed his life.
He graduated at the Royal College of Music and Trinity College of Music London with Gillian Findlay, Hugh Bean- in violin performance postgraduate.
As a multi instrumentalist and multi-genre artist, Ben toured extensively from the age of 15 till the current day. He toured with the internationally renowned show Barrage, then on to a number of other renowned shows : Riverdance, Gael force, Irish Celtic , Celtic legends , Dance Masters, Celtic nights.. to name a few.
Also as a freelance musician Ben has performed in the west end and Broadway New York with various shows and has been approached often to work as music director for new show concepts. Ben has also played on many films and tv/ shows and adverts , namely Lord of the rings, the hobbit , Wolfblood , Harry Potter .
He also played in many bands , namely the classical Ensemble ‘The Michael Nyman band’ , Shane MacGowen and the Popes, Steph Geremia band..the Craicheads, The Bible code SUNDAYS ..to name a few. Ben has also been a part of Many festivals such as Celtic connections.
He won competitions such as the under 16 All Ireland fiddle competition, the Bach unaccompanied violin competitions across conservatoires in London . Recently, Ben has worked in Florida, Disney, with Raglan Road as guest artistic director and performer early 2019.
Ben is currently enjoying his second year performing with the international touring show Seven Drunken Nights.
Free Reed
Dara O'Coisdealbha
Dara O’Coisdealbha is an award-winning accordion player from a hugely talented musical family steeped in traditional Irish music and based in Co. Tipperary. Currently based in Australia, Dara is already in huge demand due to his fine musicianship and lively performances.
Banjo/Mandolin
Muireann Banks
Muireann Banks is a banjo player hailing from Dublin, Ireland. Born into a musical family, she began playing traditional Irish music on tin whistle at the age of five, progressing onto the mandolin and banjo in the years that followed. Over the years, Muireann has been a founding member of numerous ceilí bands and groups and continues to be part of the lively traditional music scene in Dublin. She is an in-demand performer and tutor in Dublin and at many festivals across Ireland and abroad including, Fleadhanna Ceoil, The Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay, The South Sligo Summer School in Tubbercurry, Rencontres Musicales Irlandaises de Tocane Saint Apre, Féile Chois Cuain in Louisburgh, Co. Mayo and Kincora Tradfest, Ballina, Tipperary.
Register for Ceol Aneas 2020
Instrumental classes open to intermediate and advanced students.
