Potted history: I’ve been teaching piano and theory up to Grade 8 (and beyond), composition, orchestration, songwriting and music technology here in Bristol for about 9 years.

I'm from Dublin, and started writing songs and pieces when I was about 12. I've played piano, bass and sang in many bands and chamber ensembles for most of my life. My own band is The Evening Watch, just a solo venture these days, but very important to me. As a composer I've written for various choirs and ensembles, and I also write and arrange pieces for my current choir in Bristol, The Blue Sky Singers, which I helped co-found in 2018; we’ve sung all around the city in venues such as St George’s, The Mount Without and the Bristol Museum.

I’m very interested in film music and watch a ton of films myself, and I’ve worked with a few filmmakers and theatre producers over the years, the high point of which was Mechanimal’s Vigil (which was at the Bristol Old Vic and the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019). I enjoy scoring for film, but I experienced the networking side of the industry quite tiring as I find ‘selling’ myself difficult. Plus I’m a huge introvert. Hence my training as a therapist! Yet I still love music, and teaching, they’re both very much in my blood, and I can’t envisage my life without them.

Since my time in Bristol I also got quite involved in experimental, improvised music. I had a band/solo project called SALTINGS and played most of the smaller, edgier Bristol venues between 2015-20 and a few festivals (including Supernormal in Oxfordshire). I even co-organised my own festival for two years, The Bristol Hum, at the Surrey Vaults. It was all great times, and really informed how I compose, but those gigging days are probably behind me now, bar a very occasional public outing. It all really helped me to come out of my shell more after moving to Bristol from a different city and dealing with the challenges of trying to kickstart my life.

I teach piano, music theory, composition, songwriting and some music technology.

I started playing piano myself when I was about 4, and ended up at the Royal Irish Academy when I was 14, studying there for about 7 years, passing my RIAM Grade 8 in Piano and Music Theory. I’ve got a BA (honours) in Music from Trinity College Dublin and an MA (distinction) in Film and TV Composition from Bristol University. I also play bass guitar, and used to play clarinet and organ (though neither very recently).

I have worked with students of all ages and other musicians most of my life, either through private lessons, choirs, bands, or other ensembles. Through my wide range of experience, knowledge and collaborative working, I feel I can approach any teaching situation with vitality and valuable understanding. I have also guided students through ABRSM exams with great results.

I don’t teach from home currently but will travel to students’ houses, within my range. I also teach online, though I don’t think it’s quite as effective for piano as it’s such an embodied practice. I still like to learn pieces myself (everything from Bach to Takemitsu), but not super keen playing them in public…. I’m definitely more of a teacher these days than a performer!

My opinion is that it is highly important to nurture a child's interest from a young age, speaking from personal experience… I was lucky to have some fantastic, highly regarded piano teachers who truly encouraged me, and I hope that I can pass the same exuberance I felt onto others. I am happy to teach all styles and standards, having a varied background of many musical interests and work to draw from. This includes solo performance, bands, classical and contemporary ensembles, studio work, choral singing and musical theatre.