Ann Marie Kenny
Ruth Morrissey
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 6th 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 Cahill
Clarinet, Saxophone and Director of The Senior Jazz Band
Eamon graduated from The Royal Irish Academy of Music in 1998 with a Bachelors 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 St Canice’s 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 Canice’s Primary, CBS Secondary, Loreto Secondary, St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny College and The Model School Primary in Kilkenny. Each of these schools now boasts a thriving instrumental program and Jazzband. Eamon showcases these groups twice a year at The Cream of Kilkenny Cats Jazz Spectacular concert at the Watergate Theatre as well as at various school and local events. The Wesley Music Festival is a high point in his music calendar every year, where he take his four Secondary school jazz bands to Dublin to compete against Ireland’s best. 2024 saw a great result for Kilkenny with The CBS Jazzband and Kilkenny College achieving 1st and 2nd respectively at the festival. Kieran’s College and Loreto also put in two great performances but were just outside the top placings. This year marks Eamon’s 27th 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.
Aisling O’Connor
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.
Jeremy Hickey
Jeremy Hickey is a multiinstrumentalist hailing from Kilkenny City who has gained the reputation as one of Europe’s leading drummers and percussionists .
Jeremy commenced training under the tuition of Dan Breen at The Royal Irish Academy Of Music , Dublin in 1999 and for the last 15 years has been working as both a tutor and a session musician. During this time, he has curated private lessons and thought in various primary schools around the country including, St. Corban’s CBS, Naas , Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Stoneyford , Co. Kilkenny and St. Canices, Kilkenny.
Hickey is a tutor with The Irish Drum Academy in Dublin , a certified Samba Drums instructor with The Kilkenny Education Centre and has recently completed a successful summer course in The Ossory Youth Centre combining music production and performance.
When Jeremy is not in the classroom, he is performing onstage at home or abroad or in the studio under the guise R.S.A.G. aka Rarely Seen Above Ground. He has two critically acclaimed albums under his belt and a Choice Music Award nomination . He has also received the highest of accolades from the likes of RTE, The Irish Times and Hot Press Magazine . Jeremy has toured Ireland, UK, Europe and North & South America. As a session musician he has worked with local and world renowned artists and producers including Jerry Fish, Cathy Davey, Neil Hannon, Conor O’Brien (Villagers), Cat Dowling , Grammy Award winners Justice , and French outfit Bot’Ox .
Charity work over the years includes projects with Headstrong mental health and Dogs in Distress.
Mark Fitzgerald
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
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 Heuston
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 Morrissey
Rachel went to school in St. Canice’s too where she learned how to play the violin and the flute. Rachel teaches violin to first class children.
Sinead Flynn
Flute
Sinéad Flynn is a past pupil of St Canice’s National School where she began her musical journey. She started playing the flute and played in the orchestra. She later attended Loreto Secondary school where she continued to play in the orchestra and was a member of the school choir and completed the ABRSM flute grade exams. She then decided to study Irish and music in Maynooth University. This gave her the opportunity to play the flute as part of her music degree and specialize in performance. Sinéad completed the PME in primary teaching in Mary Immaculate College. She is delighted to be back in St Canice’s teaching the flute.
Sheena Flynn
Singing
Sheena is a past pupil and current teacher of 5th class in St Canice’s Primary school. Sheena has always loved singing from an early age. She was inspired by her teacher Regina O’Leary. She was involved in choirs and orchestras in Primary and Secondary school.
Sheena has a great interest in Liturgical music and she has been involved in church choirs from an early age.
She has been involved in teaching and preparing children for the National Children’s choir. Sheena directs the 5th class School choir and they have sung at various concerts and school events. Sheena believes the benefits of choral singing are immense and can really improve the confidence and wellbeing of children and adults alike.
Aisling O’Grady
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.