Our Tutors

Our Tutors

Our Tutors

Martin Johnson, Cello Tutor

Martin studied Cello at the Royal College of Music, London. In 2000, he joined the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and moved to Dublin, where he was subsequently appointed Section Leader. More recently, he was also invited to become a lifetime member of the World Philharmonic Orchestra. Martin made his Irish debut as a soloist with the RTÉ NSO, performing Saint-Saëns Concerto No. 1. Since then, Martin has made more than a dozen broadcasts as a concerto soloist with the Orchestra – including two World Premieres and several Irish Premiere performances, all at the National Concert Hall, Dublin. His recording of Frank Corcoran’s Cello Concerto was produced by the LyricFm Label (alongside other solo cello and chamber works by Frank Corcoran.) It was released in June 2017 to critical acclaim. Recent events have included several performances of Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, Richard Strauss’s incredible Romanze in F major for Cello and Orchestra as well as Enniskerry Composer, Ina Boyle’s, “Psalm and Elegy” with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra at the NCH in January 2020. Martin is supported by Music Network’s Music Capital Scheme, funded by The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Ireland. Music Network is funded by The Arts Council, Ireland.

Peter Ryan, Brass and Wind Tutor, Conductor and Arranger

Peter Ryan comes from Dublin, where he studied piano from a young age with Peter Dains and horn with Ian Dakin. Peter achieved his BMus at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and his MMus at Grieg Akadamiet in Bergen, Norway. He has performed in all major venues in Ireland, as well as venues throughout the UK, Norway, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, China and the UAE. Peter has freelanced with the European Union Youth Orchestra, Irish National Opera, Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonie Salzburg, and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, and is currently employed as 2nd horn with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. He enjoys playing in chamber ensembles, especially in France, where he travels every summer to play with friends old and new at the Musique Cordiale festival. In addition to performing, Peter conducts and teaches piano and horn, and participates in music education outreach programmes in schools. He has recently begun examining the next generation of young musicians at TUD, and is passionate about sharing his love and enthusiasm for music and performance, especially at Tutti Music Ireland.

Lynda O'Connor, Violinist

Lynda O’ Connor is one of the finest Irish violinists of her generation. She made her début appearance at the National Concert Hall, Dublin when she was just four years old. Subsequently, Lynda has enjoyed a busy performing career throughout Ireland, Europe Asia and the USA. Lynda’s soloist career features many memorable performances including Mozart Sinfonie Concertante with Nobuko Imai and Bach Double Violin Concerto with Chee Yun Kim, alongside Camerata Ireland. In 2016 she performed as a soloist with Giles Apape and the International Mahler Orchestra at a Menhuin Tribute concert in Frankfurt. In 2024 Lynda was invited to perform for Prince Albert of Monaco. More recent performances include Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, Beethoven, Bruch and Mozart Violin Concertos with Camerata Ireland, Sinfonua, Dublin Orchestral Players, Greystones Orchestra and the Orchestra of Ireland. As a chamber musician, Lynda has collaborated with a dazzling array of artists including Barry Douglas, Nobuko Imai, John O’ Conor, Alessio Bax, Michael Collins, Chee Yun Kim, Celine Byrne, members of the Van Burgh string quartet and Gilles Apape. In 2011 Lynda made her debut USA broadcast in Boston with Barry Douglas. She enjoys performing on a regular basis with the Ficino chamber ensemble, Musici Ireland Belisama Trio and her traditional Irish crossover group Trio Elatha. In May 2024 Lynda made her debut as a Naxos recording artist with the release of the album Folk Tales 2 alongside cellist Gerald Peregrine and pianist Antony Ingham. On August 2nd of this year Lynda’s debut solo album “The Irish Seasons” was released by AVIE Records with a recording of Vivaldi Four Seasons and a new commission by Irish Composer Ailbhe McDonagh The Irish Four Seasons, produced by multi Grammy award winner Judith Sherman. Lynda performs on a Gand and Bernardel violin form 1891.

Ailbhe McDonagh, Cellist and Composer

Ailbhe McDonagh is an acclaimed composer and cellist with over 250 published works and numerous commissions. Her orchestral debut, 'Irish Isles Suite', was released by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 2023, followed by her violin concerto 'The Irish Four Seasons' in 2024, described by BBC Music Magazine as a compelling blend of traditional Irish music and classical form. Her compositions cover orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, earning notable premieres such as String Quartet No. 1 for the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival and String Quartet No. 2 for the National String Quartet Foundation of Ireland. She also contributes to music education through instructional series like ‘It’s a Piano Thing’ and ‘It’s a Cello Thing’, published by Boosey & Hawkes, with ‘It’s a Violin Thing’ forthcoming in 2025. Her works appear in major exam syllabi worldwide. As a performer, McDonagh is recognized for her technical excellence and expressive style, praised by Fanfare Magazine and featured in global recordings and broadcasts. She collaborates with artists including John O’Conor, Orla McDonagh, and Lynda O’Connor, and is active in both classical and traditional Irish music through groups like the Ficino Ensemble and Trio Elatha. Her solo albums have garnered critical acclaim, with ‘It’s a Cello Thing’ named CD of the Week by RTÉ Lyric FM, and her Beethoven sonatas recording received high praise and a 4.5-star rating from AllMusic. In 2024, she became the first Irish cellist to release ‘Bach: Complete Solo Cello Suites’. McDonagh teaches at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and regularly gives masterclasses, performing on an 1833 Andrea Postacchini cello. More information is available at www.ailbhemcdonagh.com.

Caitríona Frost, Percussionist.

Caitríona Frost, a Cork-born percussionist with a Master’s in Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, has performed extensively with Ireland’s national orchestras including the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Her experience spans theatre productions, education programs, and international tours—such as performing with Celtic Woman and serving as drummer for Declan O’Rourke. Caitríona completed an artistic residency at Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris in 2021, where she composed a marimba piece inspired by Irish tradition. She is also part of the Bangers and Crash percussion group and remains engaged with educational initiatives and ensemble work.

Paul Kiernan,Trumpet Player, Composer and Arranger

Paul Kiernan is a trumpet player, composer and arranger from Mullingar. He joined the Defence Forces School of Music in 2021 and is currently based in both Band 2 Brigade in Costume Barracks, Athlone and the Army No.1 Band in Dublin. In the past year, Paul has finished a Master's in arranging and trumpet performance through the Royal Irish Academy of Music. In 2024, Paul was the featured soloist at the Defence Forces Gala Concert in the National Concert Hall. He has performed with Ireland’s National Orchestras and is a co-founder Booka Brass, who performed National and International tours, and collaborated with many prominent artists. Paul is also a sought-after freelance musician and has recorded and toured with many established and up-and-coming artists, such as Zaska, Mick Flannery Denise Chaila, Melina Malone, Hudson Taylor, Kíla, the Stunning and the Coronas.

Sinéad Frost, Bassoonist

Sinéad graduated from MTU Cork School of Music with first class honours during which she spent a year studying at Hochschüle für Musik und Theater, Leipzig. She went on to complete her MA degree at the Royal Academy of Music, London. While in London, she enjoyed a busy variety of work playing shows, opera, chamber music and orchestral concerts. Now based in Dublin, she was appointed as Associate Principal bassoon with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland last year. Prior to this, she played principal bassoon with Irish National Opera, and enjoyed performing regularly as a freelance player with the NSOI, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Ireland and Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra.

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The type of music was really fun and varied. I was excited to play blues, rock and pop as well as classical. It was awesome!​
Nina
Tutti Graduate
It was great to play in small groups and get to know the other students. The tutors were great fun and I learned so much.
Patrick
Tutti Graduate
Meeting and playing music with students from other countries was great - I’m still in touch with some of them.
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Tutti Graduate

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