Aoife Kavanagh
Waltons New School of Music Faculty
Piano • Theory & Musicianship • Composition • Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Adults • Outreach Programme • Music at Work Programme
Aoife grew up surrounded by music, taking piano and music theory lessons, singing in choirs and playing percussion with the Carlow Youth Orchestra. She went on to earn a BA degree in Music and German at Maynooth University and a Masters degree in Music Composition at Trinity College Dublin. She also spent an Erasmus year studying musicology at the University of Vienna and piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts (MDW) in Austria. Aoife began teaching during her undergraduate degree and taught piano, music theory and pre-instrumental classes privately and at several music schools in Dublin and Carlow before coming to the New School. As well as performing and teaching, Aoife also works as a composer and sound designer. She has written for instrumental soloists, ensembles and choirs, and she has also been active across a range of music disciplines, including theatre, dance and film. Her theatre credits include Mark O’Rowe’s adaptation of Ibsen’s Ghosts (Landmark Productions and the Abbey Theatre), The Long Christmas Dinner (Abbey Theatre), Tom Moran is a Big Fat Disgusting Filthy Liar (Dublin Fringe) and The Saviour (Dublin Theatre Festival). And her dance credits include The Glasshouse (Ballet Ireland), The Galaxy of Occupations and Man Down (Róisín Whelan Dance) and NASC (Infinite Parts Aerial Dance). Aoife was one of two awardees of the Contemporary Music Centre’s Emerging Composer Scheme 2022-23, and her work has been funded by the Ars Council, Carlow County Council and Artlinks. She uses her varied musical experiences and background to provide her students with a well-rounded music education, and she hopes to instil her passion for music in all of her students, no matter what their ages or abilities. For more information on Aoife’s work as a composer and sound designer, see aoifekavanaghmusic.com.
‘I feel indebted to the many wonderful teachers I’ve had the privilege of studying with throughout my musical journey. They are the people who introduced me to the joys of making music, who encouraged me to improve, who pushed me just the right amount and who fed my curiosity to learn. These teachers have inspired me to teach, and I aim to pass on to my students the love of, and appreciation for, music that my teachers have given to me. I enjoy the fact that each student is unique and learns a different way; it means that as the student learns, I am also constantly learning. I see each lesson as an opportunity to help my students grow as musicians and as people – and also for me to grow as a teacher and music educator.’
‘Dusk’ by Aoife Kavanagh
‘An Ending, A Beginning’ from The Glasshouse by Aoife Kavanagh
‘Time Is Passing’ from The Long Christmas Dinner by Aoife Kavanagh
a comprehensive music centre in the heart of Dublin.