I started learning the violin when I was seven. My parents are very musical, and music played a big role in my life from a very young age. Many of my extended family members are traditional Irish musicians as well, which is something I’m very proud of. My secondary school was full of music, and this inspired and motivated me to engage more with the violin. I started taking lessons at the Young European Strings School of Music in Dublin when I was 12. They had an amazing chamber orchestra and we played together all-around Europe. We performed our music from memory, which is something that still stands to me today. I was also co-leader of the National Youth Orchestra, where some of my happiest musical memories were made.
I started learning the violin when I was seven. My parents are very musical, and music played a big role in my life from a very young age. Many of my extended family members are traditional Irish musicians as well, which is something I’m very proud of. My secondary school was full of music, and this inspired and motivated me to engage more with the violin. I started taking lessons at the Young European Strings School of Music in Dublin when I was 12. They had an amazing chamber orchestra and we played together all-around Europe. We performed our music from memory, which is something that still stands to me today. I was also co-leader of the National Youth Orchestra, where some of my happiest musical memories were made.
I considered pursuing music professionally after school but decided to study Psychology instead. However, I was awarded an Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholarship to University College Dublin which enabled me to continue playing the violin to a high level while also studying Psychology. I met some incredible people through this scholarship programme and formed a string quartet with fellow scholars. We collaborated with drama students, composers and we worked on really interesting projects together.
In 2019, I went on Erasmus to the Netherlands. The experience was fantastic, but I realised that without the comforts of home, it was music that was keeping me going. When Covid hit, I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do next. Although I loved studying Psychology, my heart was telling me it was time to pursue music. This led me to an MA in Classical String Performance at the Irish World Academy in Limerick. The course is run by members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, so every day we learned from the best in the profession. There was a large focus on chamber music, and we had classes in Dalcroze, improvisation, body mapping, Feldenkrais, Yoga, Irish music, jazz, and dance.
I feel so lucky that this is what I get to do every day. What I love most about being a musician is being able to connect with people, both on and off the stage. I’d love to have a varied career, playing a wide range of music and collaborating with other disciplines. I play with the Irish Chamber Orchestra quite often, as well as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. I also work with Glasshouse Ensemble and Libra Strings, both of which involve experimental and new music. Myself and three talented friends have recently formed the Inis Quartet, and we have some very exciting projects coming up.
EDUCATION
Irish World Academy, University of Limerick
Limerick, Ireland
University College Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
What is your favourite piece of music and why do you love it?
My favourite piece of music is Dvořák’s
Serenade for Strings. Every movement is just so beautiful, I don’t think I could pick a favourite! This was the first piece I played with the chamber orchestra in my music school growing up, and it was also the first piece I played with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, so it has a very special place in my heart.
What do you do with your time when you’re not playing music?
Aside from playing music, I love to do yoga, go on walks with my dog Beau, cook food and spend time with my friends.
