“Caroline is an excellent concertina teacher, one who is patient, encouraging, positive, and who keeps gently pushing me forward – always a tiny bit beyond my comfort zone, which is a very good thing … Since starting lessons, my playing has improved greatly and continues to improve … It’s also wonderful that Caroline has an educational and cultural background that allows her to answer all of my many detailed questions about concertina music and Irish music in general. I feel very fortunate to be one of Caroline’s students and I look forward to continuing to learn more.”
– David | Ontario, Canada
Caroline has been teaching music for about fifteen years. Her experience has developed a diverse range of teaching styles which she tailors to each individual learner. Caroline commits herself whole-heartedly to each and every one of her students. She teaches with passion, empathy and creativity to make each lesson not only educational but fun and exciting.
With students ranging from zealous 4 year olds to earnest 90 year olds (and the reverse) Caroline teaches all levels from complete beginner to advanced instrumentalist. She is a firm believer that everyone can benefit from learning an instrument and It’s never too early or late to start or continue your adventure.
Caroline also holds numerous qualifications across a range of musical styles. She holds a Teastas Teagaisc Ceolta Tíre diploma conferred by Irish traditional music organisation, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in addition to two first class honours degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in Irish Traditional Music & Dance and a Master of Arts in Irish Traditional Irish Music Performance from the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. In 2012 Caroline also completed her Professional Diploma in Education rendering her a qualified secondary school teacher.
Although her main instrument is Anglo Irish Concertina, she is a multi-instrumentalist and offers lessons on a range of other instruments including tin whistle, piano, theory lessons, secondary school music grinds and a few others.
Since a young age, Caroline has travelled the world facilitating workshops at prestigious conservatoires, embassies, cultural centres, folk societies, and at international cultural festivals and events. In addition to instrumental tuition, she also presents workshops in Irish language, Irish culture, Arrangement and Composition. Caroline is an English, French and Gaeilge (Irish language) speaker and can tutor in any of the three languages. While on home soil, she teaches multi-instrumental lessons regularly at a local Gaelscoil (Irish language immersion school).
Over the years, Caroline has been invited as a guest lecturer by many international colleges and universities. She has been a regular instrumental tutor at The University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and currently holds a position as adjunct professor of Irish music, language and culture with the Sacred Heart University at their campus in Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland.