Monday 22nd – Friday 26th July 2024 | 10am – 1pm | Ulster University, York Street, BT15 1ED

Joanie Madden has become one of the most visible Irish musicians in the world over the past three decades, not only is she renowned as a composer but also as a highly energetic and invariably entertaining stage performer. Her huge repertoire of music spans a wide range of expression, from exuberant dance tunes to slow, stately and evocative pieces. She is a consummate musician and one of the most mercurial and revered figures in Irish music today. When it comes to traditional Irish music, Joanie Madden is a purist and a keeper of the flame. A highly acclaimed teacher having taught three All-Ireland champions, she remains passionate about passing down the culture to the next generation that was so lovingly passed to her. 

Born into a very musical family, Mary Bergin began playing at an early age winning many awards in Oireachtas and Fleadh Ceoil competitions, including the All-Ireland Championships at Junior and Senior level. She has toured extensively across Europe, America and Australia performing in concerts and festivals as well as giving workshops, seminars and masterclasses. In 2000, Mary herself won the prestigious ‘Traditional Musician of the Year' Award.  

Irish Times remarked ‘Just about the best Tin Whistle player this century’. 

Mary Bergin’s playing is a ‘dazzling combination of technique and passion’. 

Hailing from County Cork, Éimhear Flannery is a multi-instrumentalist who began playing music from the young age of two. In 2015, Éimhear was the youngest ever finalist to compete in the Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada, and in 2024 she was named win for her outstanding performance on the Tin Whistle. 

The Summer School’s team of tutors is made up of internationally renowned performers with proven track records as teachers and educationalists. The primary means of teaching and learning will be ‘by ear’ with an emphasis in the less experienced classes of assisting pupils to develop oral/aural skills in addition to instrumental competency and developing core repertoire. All classes are designed for intermediate to advanced (minimum 2 years instrument experience) adults and children over 6 years of age except bodhrán, set dancing, sean nós dancing, traditional singing & sean nós singing which are suitable for beginners.