About Us
RIVER NORE MUSIC ACADEMY
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RIVER NORE MUSIC ACADEMY
Since the opening of the Los Angeles Yamaha Music School, the first outside Japan in 1965, the Yamaha network has spread worldwide. In the course of this expansion a harmonisation with local situations and cultural aspects of various regions has been a key objective, without losing sight of our diluting Yamaha’s own teaching philosophy.
On April 28th, 2023, RIVER NORE MUSIC ACADEMY became THE FIRST AND ONLY LICENSED YAMAHA music school in Ireland. This is a fantastic achievement for the academy and will give students the best opportunity to learn and grow. Ireland has now joined the community of 44 countries worldwide with the Yamaha licence.
Keyboard Lessons
Play for Keeps provides a fun and stimulating environment in which your child can enjoy making music on a keyboard.
It is open to children aged from 7 – 17yrs old. Every group has 2 to max 5 students in the group which ensures a good quality of teaching of a full 60 minute lesson. There is a required Yamaha book with all the music sheets that we use for the lesson, and there is a possibility of taking an exam and getting the certificate.
Drum Lessons
Our Teachers
About
Meet Lilian
Lilian, the founder and CEO of River Nore Music Academy, has seamlessly blended her passion for music with her life’s purpose. Music has been a cornerstone of Lilian’s life from an early age, with piano playing and teaching serving as both a path to personal growth and a powerful way to connect with others.
Lilian’s distinguished musical journey began with 16 years of piano study under the guidance of the esteemed Professor Beatrice Janson. She holds a comprehensive degree from the prestigious Franjo Kuhac Music School in Osijek, Croatia, where she earned qualifications in both Music Theory and Piano Performance. Lilian furthered her academic pursuits at the J.J. Strossmayer University – Academy of Art in Osijek, completing a Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy. Additionally, she is a Yamaha-qualified instructor, offering exceptional group keyboard classes for aspiring musicians. Lilian is also a Kodály-trained educator, specializing in early childhood music education.
Beyond music, Lilian is a certified teacher, having earned a teaching degree from the Marino Institute of Education in Dublin. This diverse academic background allows her to approach teaching with flexibility and creativity, enriching the learning experience for her students. Alongside her piano lessons, she also teaches group music classes in primary schools throughout Kilkenny, bringing music to life in an engaging and dynamic manner.
Before relocating to Ireland, Lilian held prominent roles in Croatia, including serving as a music teacher at a Primary School and as Head of Piano at the Music School “I.G.K. Djakovo.” Throughout her 15-year music career, one of her most notable achievements was guiding a top-performing student to secure first place in a national piano competition.
Lilian’s extensive career is built on a foundation of passion, dedication, and a commitment to nurturing the musical potential of her students. With over 35 years of musical experience, she is excited to continue sharing her knowledge at River Nore Music Academy, empowering students of all ages and backgrounds to find their rhythm both in music and in life.
About
Meet Andreea
From early baroque to contemporary music and from classical to traditional Irish music, the Romanian born Andreea Bouros has accomplished all levels of education.
She began her violin training at the age of 7 and continued her progress at West University in 2004 under the guidance of exceptional mentors.
Her music education continued after with a Master of Arts – Violin, at the same University. Meanwhile, she started her collaboration with philharmonic orchestra ” Banatul” ending up by being a permanent violinist in the institution.
Between 2004-2011 she’s been touring in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain Austria and France. Moving with her family in Ireland in 2011, Andreea was a violin teacher in Carlow, Clonmel, Kilkenny and Castlecomer.
In Kilkenny she was the tutor of the Kilkenny Allegro orchestra, and she was invited to perform on the 25th Anniversary of Carlow College of Music in Carlow Arts Festival.
As she believes that music is vital to a child’s education, Andreea is happy to be part of the growing family of River Nore Music Academy
About
Meet Billy
Billy’s Doran’s musical journey began in his teenage years when he discovered his passion for guitar. Over time, he immersed himself in various bands, sparking a deep love for music that extended beyond performance. His exploration expanded into composition and production, broadening his expertise.
While initially drawn to rock and metal shred techniques, Billy’s recent focus has shifted to classical guitar. Under the guidance of renowned guitarist and classical guitar lecturer Michael O’Toole at the Southeast Technological University in Waterford City, he has honed his skills in this genre. Having such a vast array of skills in various genres, Billy’s understanding of music allows his teaching to be versatile and very interactive.
Currently pursuing a music degree at SETU, Billy shares his knowledge by teaching students privately and through the Carlow College of Music. With a passion for teaching and building learning power, he eagerly anticipates further studies to deepen his musical understanding to help his students.
About
Meet Gráinne
Since 2019, Gráinne Behan has been a dedicated piano and flute instructor, starting her teaching journey at her parents’ home with a small group of students. With over 16 years of experience in piano and a decade of proficiency in flute, Gráinne now shares her expertise at River Nore Music Academy.
In addition to her teaching career, Gráinne has developed a diverse performance background, including performances at the National Concert Hall, collaborations with orchestras across England, and concerts in Portugal. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Chichester and has completed all ABRSM exams in both piano and flute. Additionally, Gráinne earned a Diploma in Piano Performance from Trinity College London.
As a certified Yamaha instructor, Gráinne leads group piano sessions that focus on musicality, aural skills, and sight-reading. Her approach helps young musicians discover their unique voices and abilities. Passionate about the transformative power of music, Gráinne is excited to inspire the next generation of talent at River Nore Music Academy.
Throughout her academic journey, Gráinne has also collaborated with choirs and contributed to flute-centric jazz bands. She looks forward to sharing the beauty and significance of music with her students at River Nore Music Academy
About
Meet Viktor
Viktor Dobbs holds accreditation as a Yamaha drum teacher. His classes are known for their dynamic engagement, drawing admiration from students eager to learn from such a skilled drummer.
During his teenage years in Hungary, Viktor Dobos found his passion for drumming. His parents observed his attempts to replicate the techniques of renowned rock drummers by tapping and hitting the cushions in his home. They decided that it was only appropriate to purchase a basic drum kit and enroll him with a private music tutor.
His initial introduction to music involved performing children’s songs and leading musical programs for kids, in addition to pursuing his rock music ambitions. Alongside playing, recording, and touring with various esteemed artists and music groups, Viktor also served as a drum tutor, conducting workshops and programs for young drum enthusiasts.
Viktor’s passion for drumming can be seen in all of the classes he is involved in. He wishes to make every inspiring student of his become the best drummer they can be!
His speciality in group classes, allows his students to feel they are part of a rock band from very early on in their drumming career.
Over the years, Viktor’s dedication to refining his technique and expanding his knowledge has remained unwavering. Since relocating to Ireland in 2014, he has been actively engaged with multiple bands, persistently honing his craft and embracing continuous learning.
About
Meet Jônatas
With over 18 years in the music industry, Jônatas Campos is a seasoned drummer and percussionist who has built a diverse and fulfilling career. A graduate in Music from Mozarteum University of São Paulo, he has had the honor of performing with renowned artists such as Isaac Karabtchevsky, Paula Lima, Pericles and Andrea Bocelli. His experience spans symphonic orchestras, festivals, soundtrack recordings, and extensive work as a private drum instructor.
Jônatas sees each student as unique, customizing his lessons to fit their individual learning style and musical preferences. He connects genuinely with his students, using their musical interests to inspire them to play what they love. For Jonatas, every lesson is a chance to help students achieve their musical aspirations, whether they’re learning drums as a hobby or aiming for a professional path.
As an instructor, Jônatas is motivated by his students’ commitment and is dedicated to fostering a positive and inspiring learning environment. He values the deep connections built through music and is passionate about guiding each student toward discovering their own sound.
About
Meet Hayley
Hayley Tyrrell’s passion for music was ignited at a young age, influenced by a rich variety of musicals such as Grease, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, and an array of Disney Princess films. These early exposures cultivated a profound love for the art form, prompting her to pursue music studies during her secondary school years. It was here that she discovered her connection to music ran deeper than she had ever imagined.
Hayley’s dedication to her craft led her to participate in numerous local productions and pantomimes, which further fueled her passion. Her hard work and talent earned her a place in the BA Music course at Southeast Technological University (SETU) in Waterford. Throughout her studies, Hayley honed her skills and graduated with first-class honours in Musical Theatre Performance, a field in which she excelled under the mentorship of the remarkable vocalist Bridget Knowles. During her time at SETU, Hayley was afforded numerous opportunities to showcase her talents, performing for large audiences alongside the SETU Music School Orchestra.
Combining her in-depth knowledge, exceptional musical talent, and fervent passion for teaching, Hayley is dedicated to guiding her students through the expansive and enriching world of music, inspiring them to discover and cultivate their own musical abilities.
” Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is never enough for music “