Meet the Team

Jillian Saunders

Piano & Cello Teacher

· Studied Piano & Cello at DIT Conservatory
· BA in music from Trinity College Dublin & BMusPerf from DIT Conservatory
· Former member of National Youth Orchestra of Ireland

· Accompanist to the Three Tenors Ireland

Read more about Jillian’s bio…

Maria Trinchero

Piano Teacher

· Studied piano at the Argentine National School of Music for over ten years and has a Bachelor in Music Performance Piano.
· Performed extensively, in Argentina, Germany, Italy
· Obtained the Associate and Licenciate Diplomas in Pianoforte Teaching Royal Irish Academy of Music

· Currently training as a Montessori teacher

Read more about Maria’s bio…

Daniel Tobin

Piano Teacher

· Has a DipLCM from Thames Valley University, London with distinction
· Popular with students and parents by his warm teaching style
· Won first prize at Feis Ceoil, DIT, Newpark, Sutton Park and Arklow competitions

Read more about Daniel’s bio…

Emilija Austraite

Piano Teacher

· Began her musical studies at at the young age of six in one of the most prestigious Art Gymnasiums in Lithuania, Klaipeda
· Awarded Swords musician of the year in 2013
· Graduate from Griffith College Dublin with a Licentiate Diploma in Music Teaching
· As part of her teaching philosophy continually learns from and absorbs the ideas of outstanding educators

Read more about Emilija’s bio…

Shay O’Connor

Saxophone Teacher

· Shay started off learning clarinet and oboe in the Artane band.
· Later, studying saxophone under Kenneth Edge and subsequently studying jazz in Newpark under the direction of Tommy Halferty and Ronan Guilfoyle.
· He completed an MA in World Music Studies at the University of Sheffield.

Read more about Shay’s bio…

Mark Collins

Guitar Teacher

· Graduated with Associate and Licentiate diplomas in performance from the London College of Music.
· Teaches classical guitar, folk and blues fingerstyle, various electric guitar styles and song/strumming accompaniment.
· Performs regularly with the “The mysterious chords” and “The Carina guitar duo”.

Read more about Mark’s bio…

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Jillian’s Biography

Studied Piano & Cello at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama

Graduated with a BA in music from Trinity College Dublin

Completed a BMusPerf at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama studying under Padhraic O’Cuinneagain

Former member of National Youth Orchestra of Ireland

She divides her time between teaching and performing and is accompanist to the Three Tenors Ireland

Maria’s Biography

María Trinchero was born in Bielefeld, Germany. When she was still very young, her
family moved to the south of Argentina, where she started musical studies at the age
of 4, and began her pianoforte lessons at the age of 8 years old with Claudia Guzman
and Elena De Camps

At the age of 17, she moved to Buenos Aires to pursue musical studies in the National
University of Arts, where she finished her Bachelor in Musical Performance-
Pianoforte under the direction of María Teresa Criscuolo, obtaining the PAEDE
(Financial Aid Program for Educational Development) scholarship for two
consecutive years.

In the meanwhile, she also took Violoncello lessons, played in several youth
orchestras and sang in choirs.

During her student years, she worked as a music
teacher in public schools, acquiring great experience in group dynamics, lesson
planning and teaching strategies.

Since moving to Dublin in 2012, she furthered her Pianoforte studies with Therese
Fahy at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and obtained the Associate and Licenciate Diplomas in Pianoforte Teaching.

In the meanwhile, she has been working as an
accompanist, pianoforte, preinstrumental and musicianship teacher.

At the moment, she’s strenghthening her teaching skills, being trained as a Montessori
teacher.

Daniel’s Biography

Daniel Tobin started piano at the age of 4 under the tuition of his mother.

At 6 years of age he began studying with Evelyn Healy at the DIT Conservatory of Music and
Drama. He completed all grades up to grade 8 Associated Board, receiving distinction and scholarship each year.

Under Jillian Saunders he obtained his DipLCM from Thames Valley University, London with distinction in 2007.

Outside of examinations Daniel was first prize winner at
Feis Ceoil,
DIT,
Newpark,
Sutton Park and
Arklow competitions.

He has performed in The John Field Room, National Concert Hall as part of DIT and Newpark prize winner concerts.

Daniel has a BCL Law Degree from UCD and has been teaching piano since 2008.

Emilija’s Biography

Emilija Ausraite is a certified music teacher and a pianist with an extensive musical background.

Born in Lithuania, Emilija began her studies at at the young age of six in one of the most prestigious Art Gymnasiums in Lithuania, Klaipeda. Studying multiple music subjects, such as Musicology, Solfeggio, Vocal lessons, Choir singing, Conducting lessons, Piano performance lessons and etc.

Emilija spent 15 years growing as a musician and a performer. She has been performing on the stage since an early age and has always enjoyed taking part in music competitions and concerts.

Teaching has always been another one of Emilija’s passions, which she has discovered, in her teenage years and has been teaching since in various schools and teaching placements.

In 2013 Emilija was awarded Swords musician of the year and has since gone on to graduate from Griffith College Dublin with a Licentiate Diploma in Music Teaching.

Emilija has 3 years experience teaching in a Music School in Ireland.

Teaching Philosophy
“Teaching is another passion of mine, which I have discovered in my teenage years. I enjoy watching my students develop their potential and I think that everyone should have an opportunity to learn an instrument as they can develop a countless number of skills. It is my goal to develop in each of my students utmost enjoyment and musicality.
Of course, learning never stops for me. I continue to read, observe outstanding educators and get involved in training so I can achieve my full potential as a teacher. We are all able to think, create, to see and experience things ‘below the surface’. Therefore I always enrich my students ability to think about, discuss and listen to music with a new awareness.”

Shay’s Biography

My musical journey started off on tin whistle and recorder. I then joined a local band learning clarinet and oboe.

This was followed for a short time playing harmonica. Subsequently I switched direction to study saxophone in a mainly classical style.

My direction changed again when I became particularly interested in jazz and improvisation and studied jazz in Newpark Jazz School.

Played with Jazz and Blues bands.

Inspired by the Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek and his work with music from around the world my interest broadened to World Music.

Subsequently I completed an MA in World Music Studies at the University of Sheffield developing a special interest in Chinese and African music, particularly the mbira thumb piano.”

I am interested in identifying, encouraging and developing attributes which are factors in high achievement, through music, like commitment, confidence building and personal expression.

Whether it is the student performing at their best level for grade exams, being creative through improvisation or enjoying the music through individual expression.

I also draw on the musical richness of other cultures to broaden the students musical outlook.”

Shay O’Connor MA World Music Studies University of Sheffield, MBA from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

Mark’s Biography

Mark Collins’s first activities on guitar started as a young teenager in the early 1980,s playing electric rock and blues guitar . After working as a freelance guitarist playing in a number of various groups and bands mark went on to study classical guitar in 1989 graduating with Associate and Licentiate diplomas in performance from the london college of music. Mark has taught guitar in a number of school s and colleges throughout the Dublin area including city of Dublin v.e.c kylemore college ,St peters college , st marys primary school Bootertown, the Dun laoghaire school of music and the Dublin school of guitar where he currently co-directs.

Mark teaches classical guitar , folk and blues fingerstyle ,various electric guitar styles and song/strumming accompaniment. Mark also teaches music theory ,including preparation for the theory requirements for junior and leaving cert. Mark places strong emphasis on technique and developing the nesscessary musical understanding and skills needed to gain competence with the guitar whatever the style ,age or level of playing.

Mark has continued to perform regularly ,until recently as a co- founding member of the acoustic group “The mysterious chords ” and with fellow co -director Pat fagan as part of “The Carina guitar duo” . A classical guitar duo who specialise in renaissance music performing in venues which have included The pavillion theatre Dun laoghaire .

Meadowsound Music School

Teachers

Meet the Team

Jillian Saunders

Maria Trinchero

Daniel Tobin

Emilija Austraite

Shay O’Connor

Mark Collins

Jillian’s Biography

Maria’s Biography

Daniel’s Biography

Emilija’s Biography

Shay’s Biography

Mark’s Biography

Recent News

New Term starts from March 2025

Saxophone and Clarinet Open Day

Welcome Mark!

Guitar Open Day

Music School resumes wed 31st august

There are some results still to be collected after returning from holidays…

Hi All, Riam results are between 4-5 weeks

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