Masterclasses
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Alan Finn – Accordion
Alan Reid – Banjo
Hugh Healy – Concertina
Bríd Harper – Fiddle
Conor Crimmins – Flute
Mikie Smyth – Uilleann Pipes
Dr. Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh – Singing
Ranóg Townsend – Dancing
Masterclass Tutors 2025
Alan Finn – Accordion
Buttevant native, Alan Finn is unique in his vast contribution to the traditional music industry in this country as combined musician, teacher and mentor. A multi instrumentalist highly proficient on button accordion, fiddle and viola to name a few, Alan is leader of the Shandrum Céilí Band the latest to achieve the elusive triple All Ireland Winning status. This band was formed in 2014 and retained the Shandrum name as a tribute to the original Shandrum band formed back in the early 50’s. They have played to vast crowds too much acclaim both at home and abroad in the past few years. The Shandrum were honoured to be invited by President Michael D. Higgins to perform at Áras an Uachtaráin on St. Patricks Day 2016 and also performing at official state commemoration for the 1916 rising in Dublin Castle again for President Michael D. Higgins, his wife Sabina and many dignitaries the world over. Along with leading the Shandrum, Alan has achieved so much in his own right and he attributes much of this to the influence of his grandfather, Peter Cremin, who brought him to his first All Ireland Fleadh from an early age and his grand aunt, Mary McCarthy, herself a noted musician in her own right.
Alan is a regular performer at sessions, céilí’s and concerts throughout the country and abroad. He has often been called upon to adjudicate at Fleadh Cheoil and Scór competitions and he teaches at many master classes and festivals throughout Ireland. In 2019, Alan received the Churchtown medal of honour for his work in preserving the musical heritage of North Cork.
Alan also provides musical tuition in various primary schools in North Cork area, teaching all students tin-whistle while also encouraging the progression to a number of different instruments.
Alan Reid – Banjo
Alan Reid is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer whose work has captivated audiences around the world. Drawing from the rich musical well of Leitrim and north Connaught music and now having made his home in the county Clare, he is best known for his mastery of the banjo and bouzouki.
A key member of the internationally acclaimed band Goitse with which Alan tours extensively, sharing the stage with some of the most respected figures in traditional music and bringing the unique energy of Irish tunes to global audiences.
As a prolific composer, his original melodies have become part of the contemporary Irish session repertoire. His compositions have also found a life beyond the session, with several featured on television, including the on the soundtrack to the hit Apple TV series Bad Sisters.
Deeply passionate about Ireland’s musical past, Alan is widely recognized for his ability to unearth forgotten tunes from archival recordings and manuscripts, breathing new life into them through thoughtful interpretation and modern performance. This distinctive approach has made him a respected voice in the ongoing evolution of Irish traditional music.
Hugh Healy – Concertina
Hugh Healy is a concertina player from Corofin Co. Clare. He has played in Clare with many musicians, among those his brothers Colm (accordion) and Eric (fiddle). Hugh recorded his first CD “Macalla na hOige” in 2004 with his brother Colm.
His second CD “We Were Drinking and Kissing the Ladies” was recorded with Michael “Blackie” O Connell in 2010.
Hugh has taught in many festivals such as the “Willie Clancy, Tubbercurry, Meitheal, Mrs Crotty, Consairtin and Scoil Eigse,” to name a few.
Hugh released his solo album ”Ceolaire” in 2021, consisting of 12 tracks ranging from intricate reels, jigs, hornpipes and some airs. The album is enhanced with the accompaniment of Michael McCague on guitar/ bouzouki, Padraig O Reilly on piano, John Maloney on bodhran and also includes a host of guest musicians on 2 tracks.
Bríd Harper – Fiddle
Bríd Harper is regarded as one of the leading Irish Traditional fiddle players of modern times. Originally from Castlefinn Co Donegal she began learning the fiddle at the age of 9. Her style is deeply rooted in the Donegal tradition known for it’s intricate ornamentation and powerful expression. She achieved great recognition in 1988 by winning three major titles: Senior All Ireland Fiddle Champion, Fiddler of Dooney and Oireachtas na Gaeilge. Bríd has performed extensively both as a soloist and in collaboration with many prominent traditional musicians and has appeared on every major broadcast channel in Ireland and BBC Alba Scotland. Her debut album in 2015 was described as “solo fiddle of the most exquisite kind”.
She is an MA graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at Limerick University. Bríd resides near Dungannon in Co Tyrone and is much in demand as a teacher. She has tutored at workshops throughout Ireland, Uk, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many parts of mainland Europe. Her teaching focuses on learning by ear encouraging her students to listen closely and embrace traditional styles.
Conor Crimmins – Flute
Conor Crimmins is a Wooden Flute player and Producer from Co.Clare. He has gigged extensively and recorded on several esteemed recordings, most notably with bands Avalla, Arum, Strangeboy and The Jeremiah’s. Some career highlights include performing with piano icon, Micháel O’Súilleabháin; performing at the National Concert Hall in Dublin; having work featured on Surf Films by major brands Yeti, Redbull, RipCurl and Billabong; appearing as a guest soloist with Orchestra at The University Concert Hall, Limerick.
Conor studied music at the University College of Cork and the University of Limerick and spent many years as the flute tutor at the Irish World Academy, UL. Conor’s performances are progressive, exploratory and contain Musical artefacts from his very diverse musical experience so far. Conor is dedicated to pushing the limits on the wooden flute and regularly receives masterclasses from world renowned Jazz, Classical and Contemporary flautists.
His new release Aerophone combines his love of electronic music, composition and expressive wooden flute player and it is available to purchase on Bandcamp.
Mikie Smyth – Uilleann Pipes
Mikie Smyth began playing the pipes over 30 years ago. His first teachers were Colm De Brun and Andy Conroy in the Pipers Club in Henrietta Street, Dublin. Through the club Mikie had the opportunity and privilege to learn from and play with many of the great pipers who were always so generous with their time and expertise.
Mikie has been invited to teach at most of Ireland’s summer schools including the Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, South Sligo summer school, Joe Mooney summer school, Keadue summer school, Scoil Acla and Scoil Eigse. He has given workshops in the USA, Europe, Japan and New Zealand to mention a few. Mikie has worked with third level students in UL, TUD, UCD, UCC and TCD.
Mikie has performed both as a soloist and with shows (Riverdance and Ragus etc) in over 30 countries across 5 continents. Mikie has recorded a solo album ‘The Wild Keys’ and has also recorded with Donal Lunny, Maurice Lennon, Sean Keane and ‘The Rubberbandits’ to mention a few.
While not as active on the touring circuit now as he was in the past; Mikie maintains his connections with his fellow musicians and artists through his practice as a Chartered Tax Advisor. He also teaches accounting subjects in Crumlin College of further education in Dublin.
Mikie currently resides in County Limerick with his wife Aoife, their four children and three sets of Geoff Wooff pipes.
Dr. Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh – Singing
Dr. Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh is a singer, songwriter and researcher of Irish traditional song. She is recently completed a PhD on metaphor, symbol and erotic expression in Irish traditional song at the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick under the supervision of Dr. Sandra Joyce. During her undergraduate studies in Irish Music and Dance she specialised in Irish traditional song under the expertise of Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Eilís Ní Shúilleabháin.
Róisín’s research is informed by her considerable experience as a performing traditional singer and her engagement with archival and field research into Irish and English language repertoires. Since 2011, Róisín has tutored and lectured in traditional song studies, song composition and harmony singing at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.
Ranóg Townsend – Dancing
Ranóg Townsend is a Sean Nós dance artist and educator that hails from Lixnaw, Co. Kerry. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Irish Music and Dance and Masters of Arts in Ethnochoreology from the Irish World Academy University of Limerick Ireland, where she currently lectures in percussive dance. Her approach to dance focuses on how it sits within the music, between the notes, placing value on the relationship dancers have to musicians and the energy that is cultivated between performers.
Over the years she has shared the stage with some of Ireland’s most influential acts and dancers including Sharron Shannon, Aoife Scott, and Nic Gareiss. Ranóg started teaching twelve years ago and in 2023 launched Fite Fuaite Dance, a project to share her passion for movement and the traditional arts with others of all ages and abilities.