Scholarships for Harp Teachers to Teach Irish Traditional Music & Song (Foundation Certificate)

Cruit Éireann|Harp Ireland is delighted to announce the recipients of the RIAM Teach Irish Traditional Music & Song Course: Evelyn McCaul, from Co. Monaghan, Shelly O’Grady, from Co. Wexford, and Emily Greaney, from Co. Galway.

“We are delighted to partner with Dr Liz Doherty and the RIAM by offering three scholarships for the RIAM Teach Traditional Music and Song course, and we are looking forward to hearing more about Emily, Evelyn, and Shelly’s experiences as they progress through this critical stage of their harp-teaching journey” commented Lauren Ní Néill, CÉHI’s CEO. “Our thanks to everyone who took the time to apply; the standard was extremely high and we look forward to offering more opportunities for harpers in the months ahead”, she said.

Evelyn, Emily and Shelly will begin their online course on Sunday, 5th March – Comhghairdeas libh go léir agus ádh mór oraibh!

Buail leis na buaiteoirí | Meet the Scholarship Holders

Evelyn McCaul
Evelyn is an 18 year old harper from Laragh, Co. Monaghan. Having started learning music on fiddle, she jumped at the opportunity to learn the harp, when her neighbour announced she had a harp to spare and Evelyn has never looked back since. Evelyn enjoys playing O’Carolan pieces and tunes with a fast paced left hand. She is delighted to have received this award, and is looking forward to beginning the course with Dr Liz Doherty.

Shelly O’Grady
Shelly O’Grady is a Harp, Fiddle and Piano player from Co. Wexford. Shelly began music at a young age beginning with the tin whistle, fiddle and piano. She later started playing the harp at the age of 13 with Aileen Kennedy. Shelly currently teaches music to children and adults in her local branch Bannow CCÉ and neighbouring branches Craobh Loch Garman CCÉ and Craobh Charraig Bhán CCÉ. Her students have achieved many successes over the years.
In 2019 Shelly established a harp ensemble Cláirsí Neamhaí, who have performed at many events including playing for shows in the National Opera House in Wexford, recording for the P.B.S. American T.V. Show Ireland with Michael, the Today Show with Maura and Daithí and performed alongside Michael Rooney at a concert last October. Shelley is looking forward to further developing her teaching skills through this course.

Emily Greaney
Emily Greaney is 19 years old and comes from the Abbeyknockmoy area of County Galway. She is an All Ireland winning multi-instrumentalist and dancer. She began playing concertina, harp and piano at the age of 6, and has won many All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles. Emily has also toured worldwide with many different groups including Dr. Janet Harbison’s Irish Harp Orchestra who toured Germany and Luxembourg in 2019 and recently enjoyed a week long Mediterranean cruise with Joannie Madden. As well as enjoying all things music, Emily loves to set dance and has many All Ireland titles from both Scór and Fleadh Cheoil with the Abbeyknockmoy Set Dancers. She is looking forward to learning new teaching skills with Dr Liz Doherty.

Comhghairdeachas agus go néirí libh!

More information about the course can be found here:
https://my.riam.ie/w/uk/courses/120-teach-irish-traditional-music-song-foundation-certificate