Instructors
At The Music Academy, we pride ourselves on our experienced, highly trained, and passionate instructors who are dedicated to helping our students excel in their musical journeys. Each of our instructors has a unique background and skill set, allowing us to provide diverse and comprehensive music education. For more information on each individual instructor please click below.
Phil Casey - Drums
Phil has been playing and teaching drums professionally since 2010. His studies have included 4 years at Drumtech (now BIMM) where he was awarded the Rhythm Scholarship and Vice Chancellor’s Award. He subsequently achieved a First-Class Hons degree (BMus in Popular Music Performance) and a distinction in his postgraduate studies (MMus in Music Performance). Phil also studied for 6 years under the late Bob Armstrong, widely regarded as one of the best instructors in the UK. This has given him a strong technical and theoretical underpinning, a broad knowledge of styles and a deep understanding of technique.
In his teaching, Phil has worked with a wide cross-section of students, with a varying range of abilities, including students with additional needs. These experiences have helped Phil develop a flexible and student-oriented teaching style. Phil also draws on his real-world experience as a performer and, of course, his own experience as a music student, benefitting from studying under some of the finest drum instructors in Europe (Darryn Farrugia, Erik Stams, Justin Scott, Paul Elliott).
Before moving back to Ireland, Phil had been the drummer on the touring rock n roll tribute show, Be Bop A Lula, which had enjoyed a critically acclaimed run at The Ambassadors Theatre in the West End, London. He has played some of the biggest festivals in Europe dedicated to these styles, such as Bethune Retro and Americana in Tours (both in France) and Vintage Nostalgia (UK). Phil has also played at the prestigious SxSW in Texas and Glastonbury Festival. Phil is currently the drummer with Dublin based indie-folk quintet The Crayon Set; blues-rock guitar virtuoso, Mike Brookfield and party covers band The Shift.
Phil’s passion is to make music education more accessible. It is this passion that laid the foundations for The Music Academy.
Jonathan Parminter - Guitar, Ukulele, Bass
Jonathan Parminter is a professional bassist and guitarist from Dublin. He studied guitar and bass in BIMM Dublin and has been playing professionally since 2019. Jonathan is well versed in a wide range of genres, including Rock, Metal, Funk, Pop, Country, etc.
Jonathan is an adaptable player who is constantly exploring new avenues and opportunities in live music. His experience includes playing in professional wedding bands, working as a session player for songwriters, and playing in musicals.
Jonathan’s approach to teaching is based on playing music and recognition of progress, ensuring that the process of learning is just as enjoyable and rewarding as playing the instrument itself.
Paul Prior - Piano
Studying Music at Trinity College, and Piano Performance at RIAM, Paul began his music career as a classically-trained concert pianist. While winning national competitions and even competing internationally, he dabbled in musical theatre; being the repetiteur for the college productions of A Chorus Line and Avenue Q, and teaching piano at the prestigious Long Lake Camp For The Performing Arts in upstate New York. In preparation for the Dublin International Piano Competition, Paul suffered an injury, leading him to re-evaluate his technique and diversify his approach to music-making. It was at this time that he began broadening into working with choir and voice (culminating in his term as conductor for the Trinity College Chamber Choir), and learning how to engineer and produce music (including working alongside Abbey Road Engineer John Kurlander on film scoring sessions).
Currently, Paul is involved in a number of exciting projects. As part of the award-winning cabaret collective ‘EGG’ he functions as both the House Pianist and Musical Director, writing songs for each event and improvising underscoring for the events of each performance. He also serves as MD and vocal coach to musical-improv-comedy group ‘Causing a Scene’ who perform as part of MOB Theatre’s showcases. Although primarily operating as a musician, Paul’s practice has brought him into the world of theatre, where he has acted as Musical Director for an upcoming, yet-to-be-announced show and received Arts Council funding to write an original piece of musical theatre with longtime collaborator Pea Dinneen, with whom he also performed a showcase of their original songs at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar.
Paul’s passion for music in all its forms is matched only by his enthusiasm for sharing that passion with others. Beginning teaching both piano and Leaving Cert grinds at home in Longford, Paul grew his network of students to cover all ages, from as young as four to fully grown adults. Teaching a broad range of musical styles from classical, to jazz, to pop, Paul tailors his teaching to each student’s individual needs; balancing theory, ear training, musicianship, and technique into a package that fosters each student’s natural curiosity. Paul takes the years of professional experience and uses them to inspire passion in his students while always prioritising the rewarding fun and enjoyment that makes learning an instrument as satisfying as it can possibly be.
Aoibhín McHugh - Guitar, Ukulele, Drums
Originally from Co. Leitrim, Aoibhín McHugh has been involved in the music scene from a young age. She is a past student of the Sligo Academy of Music, a multi-instrumentalist, adept at guitar, drums, bass, and music theory. She received a distinction in grade 8 acoustic guitar while still a young teenager.
Following the Sligo Academy of Music, she continued her musical studies at BIMM Dublin, where she received a Bachelor Honours degree in Commercial Modern Music, awarded with a first-class honours.
She currently plays with several up-and-coming bands within the Dublin Music scene, most notably Shy, Actress, Andromeda I etc.
She has a love of all music and is passionate about sharing this love through teaching students of all ages, inspiring them to fulfil their potential with her calm, patient, encouraging demeanour.
Dermot Behan - Guitar, Bass, Ukulele
In his classes Dermot teaches rock / acoustic / classical / improvisation techniques on the guitar, Bass and Ukelele
A guitar player from the age of 12 Dermot graduated top of his year from Ballyfermot Senior College in Audio Production and Multimedia before starting out in recording studios working with international recording artists. Mixing and recording sound for film and television including writing music soundtracks and remixing tracks for artists.
Dermot left studio work and established himself in the live music scene. Over the past 20 years, Dermot has performed with high calibre tribute shows that have played notable venues such as The Olympia, Vicar St, The Academy and The Button Factory. This extensive experience has helped guide Dermot’s students who have subsequently gained success by winning competitions and headlining show cases.
Besides teaching music, Dermot also teaches studio recording and engineering, computer music composition and production, computer music systems, live sound for small venues, audio postproduction, music studio production, sound creation and manipulation, and public performance technologies.
Leah O'Reilly - Singing
Leah O’Reilly is a professional vocalist who has experience performing live, in a studio and in teaching vocal lessons. She has an in-depth knowledge of vocal technique, the anatomy of the voice, and vocal styles, all which was taught to her throughout her time at BIMM Dublin where she studied Vocals.
Leah performs in a wide variety of genres, ranging from Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Disco, Folk, Singer/Songwriter, Jazz and many more!
Currently, Leah performs in multiple live bands for weddings and corporate events, showcasing her vocal ability. Leah’s experience of studio sessions enables her to offer a different skill set to her students.
Leah has much enthusiasm for teaching correct technique, from the basics to belting! Combining technique with passion for music, she loves teaching a variety of students, no matter what level or age!
Joanna Burns - Piano & Singing
Joanna Burns received a Bachelor Honors degree studying music at BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music Institute) in Dublin, Ireland. Performing in three different bands while attending the music college opened up the doors of her musical creativity. BIMM has given her many connections with music collaborators, producers and musical connections whom she has played with for many years in both wedding bands and original bands such as folk band ‘Blue Luna’ and Rock band ‘Sheridan’.
Joanna teaches a variety of music styles such as classical, pop, musical theater, rock, jazz and folk. While also having experience in songwriting, composing her own songs has inspired her to achieve a knowledge in the technical aspect of recording. Joanna has performed at various large venues throughout Dublin such as The Helix, The Olympia and The Three Arena.
As a vocal and piano teacher of four years, the discovery of many types of singers and players of all ages and abilities has inspired her to pursue her own continued learning. In 2022 Joanna completed the BAST vocal teaching course online which gave her the opportunity to include more material to her teaching criteria. In 2021 she completed Grade 8 pianoforte at the Royal Irish Academy of Music which has helped her to play scales, sight-read, to demonstrate vocal exercises on the piano and also has strengthened her playing technique.
The first vocal lesson Joanna received was at a stage school called the NPAS (National Performing Arts School) at aged eight in Dublin. She continued vocal lessons here for ten years until she started music college. She has been playing piano from a young age also and has used her knowledge of piano playing in her own original songs. Attending lessons as a child up until her early 20s and playing live shows has allowed her to discover and use her talent. In her teaching she inspires others to discover their own.
Elizabeth Wilson - Pre-Instrumental
Elizabeth comes from a musical family, with a 100+ year tradition of Irish traditional music. She is a professional violinist, violist, guitarist, and singer with expertise in classical, trad, folk, rock, pop, bluegrass, gospel, and jazz music styles.
For the past 4 decades Elizabeth’s passion for music and children has inspired her to foster their love and ability for music. She has taught children of all ages, both individually and in groups, including children with special needs and neurodiversities.
With her extensive experience and warm, informed, and compassionate approach, Elizabeth creates a welcoming, fun, and encouraging environment for children to learn music and develop a solid foundation for future studies.
Elizabeth holds a BA Hons degree in Applied Music from SUNY Fredonia, studying music education, violin performance, and liberal arts. Whilst a student she was already playing professionally in orchestras and an Irish music folk band. Upon graduation, Elizabeth resumed teaching, working as a specialist music teacher, choir director, preschool teacher and resource teacher.
Elizabeth began learning guitar at age 6 and violin at age 9 and went on to learn 14 more instruments. She is a member of several professional music societies and specialist medical charities.
Elizabeth has taught and directed several whole classroom violin programmes and primary school orchestras over the past few years. Her approach with children is informed by Suzuki’s “Nurtured By Love” philosophy—that each child is innately musical and deserving of developing as a musician, by Kodaly’s incomparable approach to teaching singing as the foundation of musical development, and by Dalcroze’s insights into experiential learning and the value of physical movement and play in learning music.
Giovanny Stanescu - Piano
Giovanny is a current student of DCU Jazz and Contemporary Music Bachelors Degree. Classically trained for the past 10 years, Giovanny achieved distinction in all his ABRSM exams. Giovanny has also competed in various Feis Ceoil competitions.
As a performer, Giovanny is currently a member of 3 music bands ranging from classical, jazz and pop music. He has also accompanied multiple musicians for RIAM, ABRSM, school concerts, jazz and pop events and music performances.
From an early age, Giovanny has had a passion for music. Once he started piano lessons at the age of 9, this passion found real direction. Whilst learning piano Giovanny also picked up the accordion from his father.
Giovanny’s technique was honed over the 8 years he studied classical music. After achieving 8 Grades with ABRSM, Giovanny found enjoyment in playing jazz. Improvised music became a fascination for Giovanny. He is currently embarking on a career as a jazz piano performer. This has allowed Giovanny to participate in a variety of events, including jazz events, choir recordings, playing with professionals and tutors of the jazz and contemporary music degree in DCU.
Giovanny places a strong emphasis on positivity and fun in his teaching. Students will be guided through a number of disciplines in Giovanny’s lessons. These will include such fundamentals such as ear training, music theory, preparation for music exams, technique, dealing with performing.
Francesco Giusti - Singing & Piano
Francesco was born in Bologna, Italy. Francesco started singing as a countertenor after studying pianoforte, organ, composition and musicology in Bologna and Ferrara. From a very young age, Francesco has performed in many concerts in different European countries as well as Japan and the USA, and participated in several recordings. After obtaining his BMus performance degree in vocal studies at the Guildhall School in London with Andrew Watts, he studied historical singing at the HMT Leipzig, Germany with Gundula Anders and at the Amsterdam Conservatoire with Xenia Meijer and Maarten Koningsberger, where he obtained a MMus in Early Music Singing.
In 2016, he co-founded ensemble Hovkapell, dedicated to the early Scandinavian repertoire.
In 2017 Francesco moved to Ireland, combining his music career as teacher / performer. He collaborates with ensembles such as Sestina, Resurgam, Opera Collective Ireland, Irish National Opera and Irish Baroque Orchestra.
Francesco was a member of Northern Ireland Opera studio in Belfast for the 2018/2019 season and of the Irish National Opera ABL Studio for the 2021/2022 season, during which he covered Tamerlano’s role for INO’s productions of Vivaldi Bajazet, which saw his London Royal Opera House debut in February 2022.
Opera roles also include Mario in Bononcini/Telemann’s “Mario Fuggitivo”, title roles in Scarlatti/Martini’s “La Dirindina” and Greg Caffrey’s “Pamplemousse” and the Cheshire Cat in Will Todd’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”.
Francesco is an proficient teacher with many years of experience, for all kinds of music and all ages.
His honest and student-tailored teaching style makes for fun and engaging lessons, no matter the student’s age, music genre of interest or experience.
Joce Cristovao - Electric Bass Guitar, Guitar, Ukulele
Joce Cristovao is a Brazilian-born musician (electric bass guitar, guitar, and ukulele), composer, and session musician.
Joce specializes as a sideman, playing with a variety of vocalists in various genres. As a studio musician, Joce has recorded over 100 tracks.
Joce’s musical career started at the age of 14, when he took lessons with some of the finest teachers in Brazil. Determined to refine his musical education, Joce pursued a degree in Licenciature in Music in his hometown Caxias do Sul. Joce also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Dorset College in Dublin.
With over 13 years of teaching experience, Joce decided to move to Ireland in 2018 to pursue a dream of being a European based professional musician.
Throughout his years in Ireland, Joce has achieved some remarkable professional landmarks. Among the highlights are, being featured in the prestigious Bass Player Magazine, recording an album with one of the most renowned producers in South America (Rick Bonadio, Midas Studios), playing as a sideman for the legendary million copies selling Brazilian artist, Gabriel o Pensador in a concert in Dublin, and last but not least, since 2020, playing bass for Allie Sherlock
Cara Byrne - Piano
Cara Byrne is a classically trained pianist with over five years of teaching experience, based in Dublin. With a strong foundation in classical piano, Cara has spent the past decade honing her craft through the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) curriculum. Notable achievements from her studies include receiving a distinction in grade 8 pianoforte and winning the Under 18s Swords Young Musician of the Year award in the pianoforte category.
Cara holds a Bachelor of Music Honours degree from the National University of Ireland Maynooth, where she specialised in classical performance. During her studies, she received weekly training from the esteemed professional pianist Barbara Murray. This mentorship greatly influenced her growth as a musician, performer, and educator, allowing her to refine her skills and approach to teaching.
In addition to her teaching, Cara has performed professionally, most notably as the lead pianist in a musical theatre production of “Mamma Mia.” She enjoys exploring a variety of musical genres on the piano, including Irish traditional music, jazz, and pop.
Cara’s teaching philosophy centres on fostering a deep love of music in her students. She tailors each lesson to meet the individual interests, goals, and abilities of her students, ensuring a personalised and enriching learning experience.