St Laurence's NS, Grange Rd, Baldoyle, D13XE37

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 drummer

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.

Arthur Guillon is a French multi-instrumentalist (harmonica, guitar, ukulele, bass guitar, keyboards) and singer. Arthur specializes in diatonic harmonica (blues harp) and guitar.
His musical journey started at the age of 7, when he took piano lessons for a couple of years. Arthur then got seriously interested in music around 13, when he started to learn how to play blues harp with Christian Goulet. Christian, introduced Arthur to blues music and made him listen to great musicians, such as Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. At the same time, he also started to learn how to play guitar, bass, ukulele and to sing.
At school, Arthur threw himself into a multitude of musical situations. Throughout this period, Arthur could be playing with a rock cover bands, form half of an acoustic duo or be participating in projects in which he would sing and play different instruments.
At the age of 18, Arthur started to work as a session musician.
Arthur moved to Ireland in 2017. As soon as he landed, he began attending Blues/Folk sessions, and joined an original project, Cosmik Debris, with which he has released three EP’s. Cosmik Debris are regularly seen on the Dublin gig circuit.
Arthur has been teaching guitar, ukulele and harmonica privately for several years and has since become an in demand teacher.

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.

Michelle has been playing with various ensembles in Dublin for many years. She is currently a member of the Dublin Symphony Orchestra, and performs regularly in venues such as the National Concert Hall and Christchurch Cathedral. She is also a cello player with the newly-formed Irish Film & Pops Orchestra, and was cello leader for the very first concert in December 2017.

In July 2023, Michelle took part in the Adult Youth Orchestra of Ireland weekend course in Limerick. The orchestra was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, which was supposed to take place in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebrations were delayed by several years.

A keen chamber musician, Michelle plays both piano and cello with the Dublin Chamber Music Group. She also takes part regularly in masterclasses, including the Austrian Master Class for chamber music in Salzburg.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Trinity College Dublin and a Higher Diploma in Music Education (Honours) from Griffith College Dublin. Michelle also obtained a Senior Certificate in Piano, Cello and Musicianship from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She also has an Associate and Licentiate Diploma for Piano from the Central Academy of Music London, and a Licentiate Diploma in Music Education from the Leinster School of Music & Drama.

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.

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 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 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 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 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.