Our Guest Tutors for 2026

John Carty is one of the most celebrated figures in Irish traditional music, recognised as TG4’s Traditional Musician of the Year in 2003. A master fiddle and banjo player, John has released multiple landmark recordings and performed with legendary groups such as Patrick Street, The Chieftains, and De Danann. He is also an experienced educator and lecturer at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. John brings exceptional musicianship and a deep understanding of the tradition to his teaching.

Síofra McHugh grew up deeply immersed in Irish traditional music and is recognised as an award-winning fiddle player, holding multiple All-Ireland medals. She is also a qualified music teacher through the Comhaltas TTCT diploma programme. Síofra has toured internationally with major Irish dance productions and has appeared on national Irish television, including TG4 and RTÉ. She brings a combination of technical skill, performance experience, and a warm teaching approach.

Brendan Mulholland is one of Ireland’s leading Irish wooden flute players, known internationally for his expressive playing and expert knowledge of the tradition. Originally from County Antrim, Brendan has toured widely across Europe, taught at major festivals, and recorded with some of the most respected musicians in Irish music. He is highly regarded as both a performer and educator, and brings decades of professional experience to his flute teaching.

Fionn Nixon is one of Aotearoa’s leading interpreters of Irish song, known for her deep cultural grounding and expressive vocal style. She specialises in traditional Irish singing and brings a strong understanding of both language and history to her performances. Fionn’s teaching helps learners connect with storytelling, phrasing, and the emotional heart of the Irish singing tradition.

Nick Martin is one of Australia’s foremost uilleann pipers, trained from a young age by renowned piper Jack Brennan. His playing draws on a rare and distinctive piping style associated with Ireland’s Traveller community, known for its expressive ornamentation and rhythm. Nick has performed and taught widely across Australia, making him a key figure in preserving and sharing this unique part of Irish musical heritage.

Cameron Mather is an energetic multi-instrumentalist and singer whose performances blend traditional Irish music with modern influences. Skilled on guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, and bodhrán, he has toured widely and is known for drawing in audiences of all ages. Cameron’s dynamic style and broad repertoire make him an engaging and versatile tutor for melody and accompaniment students.

Doireann Nic Mhathúna is a concertina and flute player, as well as a traditional sean-nós singer, from the Irish-speaking region of Ráth Chairn in County Meath. She has won numerous national competitions and has performed professionally in Ireland’s vibrant traditional music scene, including in Dublin’s Temple Bar. Doireann is widely respected for her deep cultural grounding and her ability to teach both music and song with clarity and authenticity.

Originally from County Down in Ireland, Emma McCleery is an accomplished flute and whistle player with over 17 years of experience. She is a qualified Irish traditional music tutor and a member of Ards CCÉ, one of Ireland’s leading traditional music organisations. Emma has performed internationally with the touring show Celtic Storm and has earned multiple championship titles at national and provincial level. She is known for her engaging teaching style and strong technical foundations.

Based in New Zealand, Adam Ogle is a highly regarded guitarist known for his work in both contemporary and traditional Irish music. He has performed in major productions such as the musical Once and played with acclaimed Irish musicians including Sharon Shannon and Manus McGuire. Adam is well-known across the Australasian folk scene and brings energy, sensitivity, and strong rhythmic skills to his accompaniment workshops.

Helen Stonehouse has been teaching Irish dancing for more than 30 years, first in the UK and now in Aotearoa. Based in Hawke’s Bay, she teaches set dancing – a social, community-based form of Irish dance – and has performed at Ceol Aneas in the past. Helen is known for making traditional dance accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and experience levels.