About
Curious Keys is a music school in Bantry in West Cork. We offer tuition in piano, singing, guitar, ukulele, violin, viola, bass, clarinet, saxophone, tin-whistle, traditional flute, accordion and drums. We also teach piano in Bandon. Our lessons are catered to suit children aged 7+, teens and adults (we also have singing classes and piano classes to suit children aged 5+!). You can find out more on our lessons page!
We have a small, dedicated team of musicians, all of whom are experienced performers and who continue to work in the live music industry. All our teachers are fully qualified, Garda vetted and comply with all the necessary child protection laws.
Our teachers come from both popular music and classical backgrounds and all have eclectic interests in music. We teach all styles of music and commit to giving our students a well-rounded music education. The most important thing to us is that our students love to play, sing and fully enjoy their lessons!
For students wishing to undertake exams in their chosen instrument, we use exam curriculum for the Royal Irish Academy Of Music (RIAM) and The Academy of Popular Music @ Cork School of Music.
Marlene Enright
PIANO | MINI MUSICIANS GROUP PIANO
BANTRY
I love to teach piano and songwriting and I am extremely passionate about making music education enjoyable. I believe in continuously educating and assessing in my piano teaching through a combination of sight-reading (using piano method books and sheet music), composing, ear-training and rhythm activities. As a singer-songwriter, I love to teach singers how to accompany themselves on piano.
I grew up in Bantry, West Cork and studied piano from the age of 8. I had a wonderful teacher, Paula O’Donovan, who instilled in me a love for music and playing piano. I studied Music and Psychology in UCC and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Music where I specialised in keyboard studies and popular music performance.
Over the past 17 years I have worked in the music industry as a singer-songwriter and piano player. I have released 3 albums and 2 EPs to date (solo and with The Hard Ground) and my debut solo album was nominated for the RTE Choice Music Prize in 2017 for Best Irish Album of the Year. I have toured all over Ireland and the UK and have played multiple major Irish festivals.
I have appeared on local and national radio and I have contributed to many music industry panels over the past few years.
It is my hope that all students who attend music lessons at Curious Keys leave each lesson knowing that they have learned something new in an encouraging, welcoming environment!
Ciara Walton
PIANO
BANDON
Ciara began her musical training at the age of 11 when she joined Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. As a teenager she won first prize in the Senior Piano category at the Kilkenny Music Festival 2001.
Ciara's musical studies led her to the Cork School of Music where she graduated in 2005 with a first class honours Bachelor of Music Degree. Shortly after graduating, she was cast in the leading role of Polly Peachum in Kurt Weil’s “Threepenny Opera”!
In 2010 she left Cork for Chicago and became a member of faculty at the Irish Music School of Chicago. She was also appointed Music Director at the Irish American Heritage Centre. During her time in Chicago she performed regularly on the Chicago music scene including performances with Dennis Cahill and Jimmy Keane. She also made regular live appearances on WDCB Public Radio.
In 2012, she toured the East Coast of America with “Women of Ireland” as a lead vocalist.
She released her debut EP “Shadow Song” in 2015 and continues to be active as an educator and performer in various musical contexts and styles including classical, contemporary, jazz and Irish traditional song.
While her piano teaching style incorporates all of the relevant technical and theoretical aspects of learning piano, each student is encouraged to develop their creativity using the piano as a vehicle for improvisation and composition.
Her vocal coaching style is personalised to each individual and their goals, ensuring that each student’s needs are met using an approach suitable to their personality and instrument. Aside from the improvements in singing style and technique, she believes that working on the voice can be an excellent method of building confidence in younger children and in personal growth for the mature student.
Marc De Zoeten
GUITAR | BASS | UKULELE
BANTRY
Marc de Zoeten is a Guitarist, Singer and songwriter from Bantry, Co.Cork.
He started playing guitar at age 9 and spent much of his teenage years writing, performing and teaching guitar. In 2007 he moved to the UK to study music production at Leeds College of Music and graduated with an honors degree in 2010. He as spent the last number of years writing, recording and performing both solo and as a member of critically acclaimed band, The Calvinists. Marc's guitar teaching methods are student driven, allowing the student to learn through the music they love.
Victor Hayes
GUITAR | UKULELE
BANTRY
Victor has been playing guitar for over 30 years, and has been teaching it for 10 years. He playedextensively as a guitar accompanist during the traditional and folk music boom of the 1990’s taking up other instruments along the way, such as bouzouki and ukelele.
His career as a Youth Worker led to him to facilitating teenagers to organise regular live music events in The Attic Youth Cafe in Bantry for a number of years, and his background as a Drama teacher & camp facilitator has made him particularly interested in the areas of performance skills, confidence through music, and late starters to music learning.
Carrie McCollum
1:1 SINGING | TINY TONES GROUP SINGING | JUNIOR KIDS GROUP SINGING | SENIOR KIDS GROUP SINGING
BANTRY | ONLINE
After Carrie studied her BA Music Degree at W.I.T. she moved to Cork to study for her Masters in Music Performance at University College Cork. She has been influenced by many genres of popular music like Soul, R&B, Rock, to name a few. Carrie has a lot of experience teaching pop vocals, group ensembles, choirs and music theory classes. Recently, Carrie was a guest assistant lecturer in University College Cork for the CCL course. She has taught in numerous music schools - Music4Children, Sonatina Music Academy, Klub Muzik and Star Camp. Carrie studied a number of master classes last summer with Kim Chandler and she can’t wait to share tips and tricks with you!
Katie Murphy
PIANO | VIOLIN | VIOLA
BANTRY | ONLINE
Katie graduated in 2010 with an honours degree (BMus) from CIT Cork School of Music. During her time there she studied Violin with Adrian Petcu, pedagogy with Leslie – Gail Ellis and Chamber Music with Constantin Zanidache. She has performed throughout Ireland and Switzerland with numerous orchestras, including the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, the Young Irish Chamber Orchestra in Cork, Cork Symphony Orchestra, and Cork School of Music Symphony Orchestra.
Katie studied piano with Margaret Murphy and pianist Andrew Zolinsky. Since then she has played as part of Cork Concert Orchestra and has continued her studies with Katherine Hunka and Diane Daly from the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
In 2017 she completed her ABRSM Diploma in Violin performance receiving a distinction. Katie has a huge range of teaching experience including one – to – one tuition, large group classes, chamber music and orchestral direction.
More recently Katie has joined the team at Music Generation Kerry and expanded her teaching career in Kenmare, Co.Kerry. An important part of Katie’s musical life is her weekly gigs and playing opportunities. Her teaching style aims to encourage students to enjoy their playing and practice and to develop a lifelong love of music.
Tom O’Sullivan
TRADITIONAL FLUTE | TIN-WHISTLE
BANTRY
Tom is a member of the Teaching Council of Ireland and has over 35 years experience of teaching traditional Irish music on whistle and flute. Tom has worked as a full time music teacher since 1997 and holds an advanced diploma in the teaching of Irish Traditional Music by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. He is also an adjudicator at County, Provincial and All-Ireland Fleadhanna Ceoil. He was a senior tutor at the CCÉ Scoil Éigse held in conjunction with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from 2001-2017;
Tom has an extensive repertoire of tunes, many of which come from his native North Kerry and his music has been featured on numerous RTÉ radio and TV programmes: The Long Note, The Mountain Lark, Geanntraí, Ceol na nOileán and The Late Late Show.
In 1999 he was appointed as an examiner for the RIAM / CCÉ exams Scrúdú Ceol Tíre.
Mary Tisdall
CONCERTINA | ACCORDIAN
BANTRY
Mary Tisdall O’Sullivan teaches concertina and two-row button accordion. She is an accredited teacher , adjudicator and examiner with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and participated in its annual Scoil Éigse Summer school from 2002-2017 as a senior tutor.
A musician, singer and dancer, , Mary has been promoting the traditional arts in the Bantry area over the years, through her involvement in young Masters of Tradition and The Chief O’ Neill Festival , of which she is a founding member. She particularly enjoys organising events for young musicians as secretary of the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and with Curious Keys music school.
Mary has performed on national radio and TV programmes including The Long Note, the High Reel and Geantraí. Due to having a long association with Cape Clear Island, Mary was invited to perform with musicians from the island on The Late Late Show and the Ceol na n-Oileán series on TG4.
She has a keen interest in traditional ballads and amhránaíocht ar an sean nós . A member of an Dámh Amránaíochta Acadamh Fodhla with musician and composer Peadar Ó Riada , she sang with Cór Ban Chúil Aodha for a number of years.
Mary enjoys passing on her love of singing to the younger generation and her pupils have won awards at Oireachtas na Gaeilge and Fleadhanna Ceoil at county, provincial and national levels.
A primary school teacher, Mary is registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland. She completed a study on the role of music-making in the inclusion of children with Special Educational Needs in primary school, and graduated from UCC with a Masters of Education in October 2023.
Tommy Grace
CLARINET | SAXOPHONE | PIANO | GUITAR | UKULELE
BANTRY | ONLINE
Tommy Grace is a West Cork based Composer, Teacher and Performer. A teacher for 11 years, Tommy is widely experienced in a number of genres with a particular focus on Classical, Jazz and Pop Piano. Tommy studied composition at the MTU Cork School of Music with CSL Parker, graduating in 2019 with a First Class Honours Masters Degree. He is a recipient of West Cork Music’s Young Composers bursary and has also been awarded both of the IMRO prizes for string composition at Feis Ceoil. Recent projects include a work for solo Violin written for Keith Pascoe as part of the Triskel Arts Center's At Home series and a work for solo Piano for Mary Dullea, written as part of the Fidelio Trio's Project Prelude. Current projects include the composition of a large scale piece for the Cork Philharmonic Winds.
Amber Kaier
PIANO
BANDON | ONLINE
Amber began piano lessons at the age of six, later taking up cello as a second instrument. Developing a love for music, she went on to study at the MTU Cork School of Music with a focus on performance and composition. During her studies she performed and competed as a soloist, accompanist, and as a member of various ensembles. She participated in a masterclass with pianist Barry Douglas before graduating with a first class honours Bachelor of Music degree in 2018.
Since completing her studies, Amber has been working as a piano teacher as well as an accompanist, choir director and organist.
Amber enjoys teaching a variety of styles including classical, contemporary, jazz and pop, encouraging students to explore the different genres or even write music of their own.
Kevin Mulcahy
PIANO
BANTRY
Kevin grew up in Bantry in West Cork where he studied the piano from an early age with Ruth Wiltshire. This formative training culminated in a Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal recital certificate in 2003. Kevin went on to study music at 3rd level, and in 2010 he graduated with an honours degree (BMus) from CIT Cork School of Music. During his time there he studied piano with Jan Cap. In his time in college Kevin played the piano and the guitar with a number of bands, recording numerous E.P.s and playing gigs all over Ireland and the U.K.
Kevin completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education in 2014 and in his work as a primary school teacher he has been involved in school musical productions of The Lion King and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as regularly accompanying school choirs. In 2021 he completed a Masters in Education in UCC.
Joey Weidner
GUITAR | MUSIC PRODUCTION
BANTRY
Joey Weidner is a Musician, Producer, and Educator based in West Cork, Ireland.
He began his career as a session guitarist and songwriter on the Dublin music scene in 2013. During this time he obtained a BA in Modern Music from BIMM Dublin, and a distinction in Sound Engineering from the Academy of Sound.
Equally at home on stage and in the studio, Joey’s unique blend of Blues, Soul and Rock has led him to work all over the world with a diverse range of artists and producers (recent credits include his work on the Sion Hill album ‘Elephant’ in Clouds Hill Studios, Hamburg, and the Talking Waves album ‘American Blues’ in Ocean Studios, West Cork).
Like many during the pandemic, Joey pivoted his career online. He quickly built up a large and engaged social media following, finding his niche by combining his Blues guitar virtuosity with the picturesque landscape of his home in West Cork
He began posting educational content online in 2020, which led to his long-time collaboration with Pickup Music. In addition to this, he also teaches online in both private and group classes. His no-nonsense approach and focus on the ’groove’ has attracted hundreds of students from all over the globe. By consistently prioritising genuine engagement with his audience and students, he has cultivated a worldwide community of like-minded musicians and friends.
Clodagh Whelan
PIANO
BANTRY
Clodagh Whelan is a West Cork Based Piano teacher and Arts manager. She began piano tuition at the age of 7. Following completion of the Royal Irish Academy of Music exams in piano she studied music in University College Cork. While living in Cork City she taught students for preparation of grade exams and group lessons in music theory.
Clodagh teaches students of all ages and abilities. Her teaching is student centred and is adapted to the student’s individual preferences and aptitude. Regardless of whether the student wishes to follow a formal classical route or contemporary music studies, the wider concepts of music-making and theory will be included to help students gain a broader understanding of musical concepts generally.
Karen Lloyd
PIANO
BANTRY
Karen’s musical journey began at the piano age 6, and with the flute age 9. She has been teaching music, mainly piano, for over 20 years.
Karen’s students have ranged from beginners to the more advanced, and from ages 6 to 60.
Many of her students have enjoyed the challenges of taking exams, and she has taken them through the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) exams, from pre-Grade 1 to Grade 8, in both piano and flute. She also enjoys teaching those who choose not to take exams and prefer to play and continue to learn for their own enjoyment.
In her teaching she aims to inspire and motivate students to enjoy playing, practicing, learning and progressing. Each student works at their own pace, studying with the aid of exercises in note reading, sight reading, rhythm, and finger strengthening, along with method books, classical repertoire and exam pieces.
She has had several excellent teachers who encouraged her love of music, which she aims to pass on through her own teaching. These include Stephen Gilling and David Syme as well as her most influential teacher, Ruth Wiltshire, who expanded her knowledge of piano playing, and who encouraged her to teach.
Helen Roycroft
PIANO | SINGING
BANTRY
Recently returned to her father’s birthplace of West Cork, Helen comes from a family of musicians. She was lucky to have a very special music teacher in school, and also studied violin, piano and voice in the Royal Irish Academy of Music and privately. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a BA Mod in music, and from the PRII with a DipPR.
From the age of 16, Helen sang with the choir of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin, touring, recording and performing around Ireland with the group, as well as the 3 weekly choral services. She also handled all the PR for the choir. Later she was a founding member of the professional vocal ensemble, Resurgam, touring Messiah every December with the Irish Baroque Orchestra and international guest conductors.
Having taught in several schools in the early years of her career, Helen was appointed Head of Music in The King’s Hospital School in 1998, a position she held until 2021, when she relocated to Glengarriff. She was responsible for the performance profile of the school, an international day and boarding school.
The school has become known for its vibrant music department and biennial shows, which Helen directed. She taught voice and piano, guiding students through JC and LC practical exams, and the Royal Irish Academy of Music grades in Piano, Classical Singing, and Music Theatre and Popular Singing. Her students competed annually in competitions, bringing home many cups and medals.
She also directed Chapel Music and conducted the Chapel Choir and Chamber Choir, winning many awards in festivals around the country, and appearing on RTE TV with studio services. This choir was a finalist in the RTE All Island School Choir of the year competition.
John Belcher
DRUMS
BANTRY
John has a passion for drumming which continues to grow after more than 40 years of playing. Over that time he has performed and recorded with many bands, in and around London, playing genres from Rock and Pop, to Funk, Blues and Jazz.
He now participates in the West Cork music scene, where he has lived for the past 20 years. He is a believer in lifelong learning and encourages aspiring musicians of any age to enjoy the learning process.
Recently he has taken up the trumpet and also plays piano and guitar. John has enjoyed teaching drumming for the last 4 years to both children and adults. He aims to encourage individuals to develop self expression and creativity, alongside working on technical competence and music theory.
Mark O’Sullivan
GUITAR
BANTRY
Mark has been playing guitar for more than 30 years.
He trained in classical guitar and won a gold medal at the Feis.
He has played folk music, classical and swing at various venues around the country. He has also sung in many choirs performing everything from classical to madrigals, barbershop and modern classical.
Mark’s great love on the guitar is jazz and American finger picking. There are so many wonderful chords to explore on the guitar!
Mark loves to pass his knowledge of the instrument on to others - everything from basic chords & songs to more sophisticated chord patterns, why get stuck in the first three frets on the guitar!