Katharina Baker – Director, teaches Violin/Viola, Choir, Orchestra
Katharina grew up in Lübeck, Germany where she played music since very young. She studied the Violin and Music Pedagogy at the Royal University College of Music in Stockholm (1996-2002). She has a broad experience as a chamber and orchestra musician as well as conductor and composer, both in Sweden and Ireland.
Since 2002 Katharina has been enjoying teaching music in Co. Galway and Clare.
Katharina grew up in Lübeck, Germany where she played music since very young. She studied the Violin and Music Pedagogy at the Royal University College of Music in Stockholm (1996-2002). She has a broad experience as a chamber and orchestra musician as well as conductor and composer, both in Sweden and Ireland.
Since 2002 Katharina has been enjoying teaching music in Co. Galway and Clare.
Fiona Buckley, Administrator
Fiona is Coole Music’s Administrator and is the contact person for both parents and teachers. Fiona has an extensive background in administration, and holds a Diploma in Community Development and in Music Education from NUIG. Please contact Fiona for any questions regarding timetables, fees, registration.
Tel: 086-3467245 or info@coole-music.com
Fiona is Coole Music’s Administrator and is the contact person for both parents and teachers. Fiona has an extensive background in administration, and holds a Diploma in Community Development and in Music Education from NUIG. Please contact Fiona for any questions regarding timetables, fees, registration.
Tel: 086-3467245 or info@coole-music.com
Clare Sawtell – teaches Cello
Clare Sawtell has played classical cello from an early age. Since moving to Ireland in 1991 she has played in a number of ensembles, classical and traditional. In 2002 she recorded and produced an album of original and traditional compositions with Mary O’Sullivan entitled The Idle Road and has played as a studio session musician. She plays in the group Glas with Eileen Fleming (harp) and Gaie Stewart (guitar).
Clare trained in the Suzuki teaching method with Ruben Rivera (Lyons, France) at Music Matters, Athenry, Co Galway and has been teaching at Coole Music since 2006.
Clare Sawtell has played classical cello from an early age. Since moving to Ireland in 1991 she has played in a number of ensembles, classical and traditional. In 2002 she recorded and produced an album of original and traditional compositions with Mary O’Sullivan entitled The Idle Road and has played as a studio session musician. She plays in the group Glas with Eileen Fleming (harp) and Gaie Stewart (guitar).
Clare trained in the Suzuki teaching method with Ruben Rivera (Lyons, France) at Music Matters, Athenry, Co Galway and has been teaching at Coole Music since 2006.
Yuki Nishioka– teaches violin
Yuki Nishioka started playing violin at the early age of 3. She graduated with a B.A. from the Faculty of Music, Aichi Prefecture University of Fine Music and Arts, and throughout the years has won many classical music competitions in her home country of Japan . Yuki was also honoured to be 1st violinist with the Aichi Chamber Orchestra for over 6 years.
Yuki relocated to Ireland in 2008 to learn more about traditional Irish music. She now teaches violin with Coole Music, and is the Assistant Conductor with Coole Music Orchestra.
Yuki Nishioka started playing violin at the early age of 3. She graduated with a B.A. from the Faculty of Music, Aichi Prefecture University of Fine Music and Arts, and throughout the years has won many classical music competitions in her home country of Japan . Yuki was also honoured to be 1st violinist with the Aichi Chamber Orchestra for over 6 years.
Yuki relocated to Ireland in 2008 to learn more about traditional Irish music. She now teaches violin with Coole Music, and is the Assistant Conductor with Coole Music Orchestra.
Gillian Mott - teaches Violin
Gillian was born and raised in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada, and is a graduate of the Music Performance Programme at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
Gillian was the founding first violinist of the Delphinus String Quartet. She has played in the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra in Kamloops, British Columbia since 1999, becoming a season contracted player in 2004. In 2007 she founded the Black Dog String Quartet in Vancouver, and in Spring 2008, became a member of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra also in British Columbia. In November of that same year, she was asked to sit as the acting Principal Second Violin under the baton of Les Dala.
Gillian has now relocated to Ireland and also teaches with Clare Musicmakers in Ennis.
Gillian was born and raised in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada, and is a graduate of the Music Performance Programme at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
Gillian was the founding first violinist of the Delphinus String Quartet. She has played in the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra in Kamloops, British Columbia since 1999, becoming a season contracted player in 2004. In 2007 she founded the Black Dog String Quartet in Vancouver, and in Spring 2008, became a member of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra also in British Columbia. In November of that same year, she was asked to sit as the acting Principal Second Violin under the baton of Les Dala.
Gillian has now relocated to Ireland and also teaches with Clare Musicmakers in Ennis.
Rachael McCall – teaches piano; piano accompaniment
Rachael was born and grew up in England as part of a musical family. She graduated from the London College of Music in 1996 where she studied Piano and Piano Accompaniment under Douglas Finch. She has been teaching Piano in Ireland since 2003. Rachael likes to bring a sense of fun and excitement to her lessons. She enjoys teaching all ages and abilities.
She also plays in weddings around the country with Honeymoon Top Ten providing church music and music for the reception.
She enjoys accompanying instrumentalists for both exams and concerts.
Rachael was born and grew up in England as part of a musical family. She graduated from the London College of Music in 1996 where she studied Piano and Piano Accompaniment under Douglas Finch. She has been teaching Piano in Ireland since 2003. Rachael likes to bring a sense of fun and excitement to her lessons. She enjoys teaching all ages and abilities.
She also plays in weddings around the country with Honeymoon Top Ten providing church music and music for the reception.
She enjoys accompanying instrumentalists for both exams and concerts.
Alan Preims - teaches percussions
Born and raised in Italy, Alan started his musical career on the electric guitar. From the age of 17 he performed in numerous gigs and concerts around the country. He occasionally was filling in for drummers and through that discovered his love for percussion, which then became his main focus. He spent a number of years learning Djembe, Congas and Bata-Drums from Masters of the Art (Rosario Jermano, Luca Scorziello) and performed in various groups with repertoire ranging from Brazilian and Cuban Music to Italian Folk and Pop. Currently based in County Galway, he is performing and recording regularly in Ireland and abroad. Alan has also been in demand for drumming workshops for both adults and children of all ages in Youth Centres, Schools and Music Schemes both in Italy and Ireland.
Born and raised in Italy, Alan started his musical career on the electric guitar. From the age of 17 he performed in numerous gigs and concerts around the country. He occasionally was filling in for drummers and through that discovered his love for percussion, which then became his main focus. He spent a number of years learning Djembe, Congas and Bata-Drums from Masters of the Art (Rosario Jermano, Luca Scorziello) and performed in various groups with repertoire ranging from Brazilian and Cuban Music to Italian Folk and Pop. Currently based in County Galway, he is performing and recording regularly in Ireland and abroad. Alan has also been in demand for drumming workshops for both adults and children of all ages in Youth Centres, Schools and Music Schemes both in Italy and Ireland.
Etain McCooey – teaches Oboe, Cor Anglais, Recorder (descant and treble), Tin Whistle
Etain has been working as an orchestral player in Limerick and Galway over the past number of years in addition to playing for various musicals and shows around the country. She spent fifteen years in Dublin where she played in a number of bands (playing traditional and contemporary music) and worked as a session musician. Recent recording work includes Frank Cullen's "And All Points West" and Tony Boylan's "Life's the Teacher" and she was recently commissioned to compose music for the Hidden History TV series.
Etain also teaches oboe with Clare Music Makers in Ennis, Co. Clare.
Etain has been working as an orchestral player in Limerick and Galway over the past number of years in addition to playing for various musicals and shows around the country. She spent fifteen years in Dublin where she played in a number of bands (playing traditional and contemporary music) and worked as a session musician. Recent recording work includes Frank Cullen's "And All Points West" and Tony Boylan's "Life's the Teacher" and she was recently commissioned to compose music for the Hidden History TV series.
Etain also teaches oboe with Clare Music Makers in Ennis, Co. Clare.
Stefano Muscovi – teaches Trumpet
Born in Trieste, Stefano has been studying trumpet from the age of 12. He has lived in Ireland since 2002, playing with various bands and artists both in live and recording sessions. Among those he has played with are Jerry Fish and The Mud Bug Club, Sharon Shannon, The Commitments, Hot House Flowers, The Radiators from Space, Peter Byrne, The Kanyu Tree, Camille O’Sullivan, Bell X 1, The Stunning, Havana'chè Salsa Band, Cuba Libre Salsa Band, and many others.
Stefano will be best known to Galwegians for his involvement with the very popular jazz-swing Black Magic Big Band, where he acted as musical director for many years.
Born in Trieste, Stefano has been studying trumpet from the age of 12. He has lived in Ireland since 2002, playing with various bands and artists both in live and recording sessions. Among those he has played with are Jerry Fish and The Mud Bug Club, Sharon Shannon, The Commitments, Hot House Flowers, The Radiators from Space, Peter Byrne, The Kanyu Tree, Camille O’Sullivan, Bell X 1, The Stunning, Havana'chè Salsa Band, Cuba Libre Salsa Band, and many others.
Stefano will be best known to Galwegians for his involvement with the very popular jazz-swing Black Magic Big Band, where he acted as musical director for many years.
Helen Hancock – Teaches Recorder and Music Macaroni
Originally from Dublin, Helen has been living in Galway for 13 years since graduating from UCD. Helen has been singing and playing music from a very young age. Helen plays recorder, piano, flute and is very involved in choral singing. Following on from the very successful Music Macaroni camp which was held this summer, Helen will start a new Music Macaroni class in September for 3.5 to 5 year olds. Helen also teaches Recorder at Coole Music
Originally from Dublin, Helen has been living in Galway for 13 years since graduating from UCD. Helen has been singing and playing music from a very young age. Helen plays recorder, piano, flute and is very involved in choral singing. Following on from the very successful Music Macaroni camp which was held this summer, Helen will start a new Music Macaroni class in September for 3.5 to 5 year olds. Helen also teaches Recorder at Coole Music
Péter Sebestyén - Teaches Cello
Péter Sebestyén graduated with a degree in classical cello from the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, as a performer and teacher in 2008. He has been a member of the St. Stephen Symphony Orchestra in Budapest and the principal cellist from 2005-2008. He is currently a member of the Concerto Malaga Chamber Orchestra in Spain. He has performed in many of the great concert halls of Hungary such as The Palace of Arts and the Great Hall of the Liszt Academy. Peter studied with Ferenc Szucs as part of the MA in Classical String Performance at the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick, from 2008-2010. He has been awarded the RTÉ Lyric FM Scholarship and also the Academos, Irish World Academy Strings Scholarship.
Péter Sebestyén graduated with a degree in classical cello from the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, as a performer and teacher in 2008. He has been a member of the St. Stephen Symphony Orchestra in Budapest and the principal cellist from 2005-2008. He is currently a member of the Concerto Malaga Chamber Orchestra in Spain. He has performed in many of the great concert halls of Hungary such as The Palace of Arts and the Great Hall of the Liszt Academy. Peter studied with Ferenc Szucs as part of the MA in Classical String Performance at the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick, from 2008-2010. He has been awarded the RTÉ Lyric FM Scholarship and also the Academos, Irish World Academy Strings Scholarship.
Robert Solyom – Teaches Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Recorder
Robert has over 20 years of experience in the field of music education, teaching in prestigious Hungarian schools such as the Kiss Zenede Art School, the 13th District State Music School and State Music School of Dorog. He moved to Ireland in 2009. During Robert’s career he has taught clarinet, saxophone, flute, music theory, music history and chamber music to students at all levels and many of his former students have become professional musicians. Robert holds an MA (Clarinet) from the Liszt Ference Academy of Music.
Robert has over 20 years of experience in the field of music education, teaching in prestigious Hungarian schools such as the Kiss Zenede Art School, the 13th District State Music School and State Music School of Dorog. He moved to Ireland in 2009. During Robert’s career he has taught clarinet, saxophone, flute, music theory, music history and chamber music to students at all levels and many of his former students have become professional musicians. Robert holds an MA (Clarinet) from the Liszt Ference Academy of Music.
Teresa Turner – Teaches Double Bass
Teresa graduated in 2005 with an Honours Bachelor of Music Degree from the Cork School of Music. A keen orchestral musician, she started playing first with Wexford Sinfonia, and went on to become a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and the Cork Symphony Orchestra among others. With these ensembles she has had the experience of accompanying renowned soloists including Nigel Kennedy, Tasmin Little and Evelyn Glennie. She has participated in many orchestral tours abroad including Germany, Holland, Denmark and Finland and is now a regular staff member on the NYOI residential courses. As well as Double Bass, Teresa also plays Piano and has been teaching individual lessons and working as a grade exam accompanist for over 7 years. Since 2008 she has been living in Galway, undertaking a 3 year training to become a teacher of the Alexander Technique.
Teresa graduated in 2005 with an Honours Bachelor of Music Degree from the Cork School of Music. A keen orchestral musician, she started playing first with Wexford Sinfonia, and went on to become a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and the Cork Symphony Orchestra among others. With these ensembles she has had the experience of accompanying renowned soloists including Nigel Kennedy, Tasmin Little and Evelyn Glennie. She has participated in many orchestral tours abroad including Germany, Holland, Denmark and Finland and is now a regular staff member on the NYOI residential courses. As well as Double Bass, Teresa also plays Piano and has been teaching individual lessons and working as a grade exam accompanist for over 7 years. Since 2008 she has been living in Galway, undertaking a 3 year training to become a teacher of the Alexander Technique.
Tanja Fritschi - Teaches Flute
Tanja Fritschi studied with Philippe Racine at Zurich Conservatory from 1996 to 2001, graduating with a first class honours degree in Flute teaching and Orchestral Performance. She was a former principal flute with the Swiss National Youth Orchestra and has played with the Zurich Opera Orchestra and the Basel Symphony Orchestra. In 2010 Tanja finished her studies with Sabine Ducrot for the Masters inperformance at Cork School of Music and was awarded first class honours. During 2010/2011 she played several times with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast. Tanja also teaches the classical flute and the recorder in Ennis, Co. Clare.
Tanja Fritschi studied with Philippe Racine at Zurich Conservatory from 1996 to 2001, graduating with a first class honours degree in Flute teaching and Orchestral Performance. She was a former principal flute with the Swiss National Youth Orchestra and has played with the Zurich Opera Orchestra and the Basel Symphony Orchestra. In 2010 Tanja finished her studies with Sabine Ducrot for the Masters inperformance at Cork School of Music and was awarded first class honours. During 2010/2011 she played several times with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast. Tanja also teaches the classical flute and the recorder in Ennis, Co. Clare.