Meet Our Teachers

Ruth Morrissey is a past pupil of St. Canice’s National School, where she began her musical training and later attending Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny. She began attending the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, for cello lessons at the age of 9, studying with Olwen Lewis and Gerda Marwood, in WIT. In 2003, Ruth moved to Holland, where she studied cello performance for 2 years in the Koninklijke Conservatorium, Den Haag. On returning to Ireland, she completed a Bachelor of Education Degree in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, whilst continuing her musical studies in the Royal Irish Academy of Music, with William Butt, completing an Associate Diploma in Cello Teaching. During her time in St. Patrick’s College, Ruth developed an interest in conducting and conducted the St. Patrick’s College Choir in the Cork International Choral Festival with great success in May 2008. This led her to return to St. Patrick’s College to participate in a Postgraduate Diploma in Choral Conducting in Schools and the Community. She has now returned to Kilkenny and is member of the staff of St. Canice’s National School and the staff of St. Canice’s Instrumental Music Programme.She teaches cello to children from  Senior Infant to 6^th class level in the school, as well as chamber music and directing the school orchestra at present. She has recently started adult cello classes in the school for any parents who wish to join their children in their musical study. This has been set up with a view to providing cellists for the establishment of Kilkenny Gateway Orchestra.

Eamon graduated from The Royal Irish Academy of Music in 1998 with a Batchelors Degree in Music Education. There he also studied Clarinet with John Finucane, principal clarinettist with The National Symphony Orchestra and Piano with Gillian Smith, and received his teaching Diplomas in both instruments. It was also there that he met founder of The St Canices Music Programme, Regina O Leary. She asked him would he be interested in doing a few hours teaching at the school and the rest as they say is history. Eamon now teaches Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone,Piano, Guitar, Bass guitar, drums and music theory in St Canices Primary, Cbs Secondary, Loreto Secondary, St Kierans Secondary, Kilkenny College and The Model School Primary in Kilkenny. Each of these schools now boasts a thriving instrumental program and Jazzband. Eamon also founded and directs The Kilkenny Wind Ensemble who are past Winners of the Wesley Music Festival, Dublin. Recently Eamon And Some of His students were invited to perform with The Garda Band at Garda HQ in The Phoenix Park Dublin, which resulted in a Gala Concert with the Garda Band at St Canices Cathedral over the St. Patrick’s Weekend. This year marks Eamons 20th year teaching in Kilkenny and he would like to thank all the Principals and teaching staff at all the schools where he teaches, as well as all the parents and students who have supported him over the last 2 decades. In particular, Eamon would like to pay tribute his colleague and close friend Regina O’Leary for all her friendship, support and inspiration over the years.

Kilkenny based Aisling joined the teaching staff of St. Canice’s National School in 2007 where she currently teaches Senior Infants. Aisling is a keen violinist and first started playing the violin in St. John’s Girls Primary School in Michael Street.  She is a former member of the Loreto Girls Secondary School Orchestra and the Kilkenny Gateway Orchestra.  Aisling is currently a member of The Kilkenny Community Orchestra.

Mark Fitzgerald is a conductor, freelance trumpet player and music educator specialising in brass teaching and hails from Waterford City. He began his musical career while at Primary School when he joined the Mount Sion CBS Silver Band under the direction of Fintan O’Carroll. His progression was rapid, culminating in his appointment as Principal Solo Cornet, a position he held until leaving school in 1987. Mark has also been a member of the National Youth Orchestra, the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble and The National Broadcasting Band of Ireland.

He furthered his musical education by studying at Waterford Institute of Technology and more recently with Dr. Eibhlis Farrell at Dundalk I.T. Mark has also had the pleasure of working with some of Ireland’s and the UK’s leading brass musicians such as Jim Shepherd and Mark Wilkinson, and has been a guest conductor with the world famous Foden’s Brass Band.

Mark is currently the principle conductor of the Barrack Street Concert Band, Waterford and is heavily involved in their youth development programme. He joined the music staff of St. Canice’s Instrumental Music Programme in September 2011 where he teaches brass and theory. Mark also teaches music and brass at Scoil Mhuire National School Wexford. He is a brass tutor with the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble and is a playing member of the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra and the newly formed Irish Invitational Brass Band.

Orla Hanrick is a past pupil of St. Canice’s National School where she first enjoyed playing the violin, clarinet and piano. She later attended Loreto Secondary School where she was a member of the school orchestra, jazz band and choir. Orla then completed a Bachelor of Education in Mary Immaculate College where she developed an interest for the guitar,  before returning as a staff member to St. Canice’s in 2017. She is currently teaching Junior Infants and often enjoys bringing her classroom to life through music. She teaches pre-twinkle lessons to Senior Infants and beginner guitar lessons.

Aisling completed her B. Ed teaching degree in St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. She loved studying music as part of the four year programme. She has been a member of St Canice’s Co-Ed N.S teaching staff for seven years. Aisling is a member of the adult music group in St. Canice’s N.S. She has a great love for music and is delighted to join the music programme this year.

Rachel went to school in St. Canice’s too where she learned how to play the violin and the flute. Rachel teaches violin to Junior Infants and Senior Infants.

Aisling O’Grady is a past pupil of St. Canice’s National School, where she achieved grade three on the violin, played the guitar and completed all her theory grades. She later attended Loreto Secondary School where she was a member of the school choir. Aisling then completed a Bachelor of Education in Mary Immaculate College in 2013. During her teacher training, she helped with the school choir in the Mother of Love, a school for children with SEN. This involved sign language through song. She spent five years teaching in Amity International School in the UAE, where she assisted in the music productions each year. She returned to St. Canice’s in 2022 and is currently teaching Senior Infants. She often enjoys bringing her classroom to life through music. She has enjoyed assisting in Junior Infant violin lessons this year. Aisling is currently a member of the adult music programme in St. Canice’s.

Laura is a teacher in St Canice’s Co-Ed since 2013. She qualified with a Bachelor of Education from St Patrick’s College DCU. Laura has a long history of performing arts, participating in choirs and Jesters Stage Academy as a child.
Laura began her vocal training under the direction of Veronica McCarron in 2002.
She attained bronze, silver and gold medals in the Royal Irish Academy of Music singing examinations.
Laura was a member of both the Presentation Junior Choir and Senior Choir. She was part of the Senior Choir in 2007 who won the Cork International Music Festival, Feis Ceol, and named top choir in Ireland based on the RIAM examination results.

Laura was part of Veronica McCarron’s wedding ensemble from 2007-2011 as a soprano and was lucky enough to perform at numerous weddings all around Ireland.

Laura was a member of Aris Choir featuring past members of the Presentation choir who released an album, music video, collaborated with “The Kilkenny’s” and performed with Daniel O ‘ Donnell on the Late Late Show and in the Convention Centre at his Christmas Concerts.
Laura is very passionate about singing and loves brining the joy of singing into her classroom everyday.
She is currently involved with the choir in St Canices along with Ms Flynn and Ms Morrissey.