Diarmuid O'Kane
Diarmuid O’Kane is a performing musician, composer/arranger and educator from Derry, N. Ireland. Since graduating from the University of Ulster with a First Class Honours Degree in Music in 2016, Diarmuid has been involved in all things musical from performing in shows for local theatre companies including LMS, the Grove Theatre Group and the Millennium Forum Youth Theatre Company to arranging music for an Elvis Tribute Concert with Jim “The King” Brown. He has worked most recently on shows such as Guys and Dolls, Hairspray and Legally Blonde to name a few. Diarmuid has also played in bands that have performed in the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, the Danny Boy Jazz and Blues Festival (Limavady) and the Dunfanaghy Jazz Festival.
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In the Classical world, Diarmuid has been a regular member of the orchestras for both North West Opera and Foyle Opera for their recent productions which included Carmen and The Merry Widow. He has also performed at their “Carols by Candlelight” concerts during the Christmas season.
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Whilst studying at university, Diarmuid was the Principal Clarinettist of the University of Ulster Orchestra and also for a brief time, the Principal Clarinettist of the Irish Video Game Orchestra. He was also one of the featured performers in an End of Year Showcase Concert for his final year at university. Diarmuid was a member of the University of Ulster Choir who travelled to New York City to perform the U.S premiere of Paul Mealor’s “Stabat Mater” in Carnegie Hall in February of 2016. He was also a Choral Scholar at Christ Church, Derry during his time at university.
As part of his studies in his final year, Diarmuid worked with BBC Radio Ulster in their Classical Music Department and produced packages for the radio show “Classical Connections with John Toal”. He also had the opportunity to play with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the Ulster Orchestra during his time at school.
Diarmuid has many years of experience of the ABRSM and Trinity College of Music exam boards both as a student and as a teacher and has achieved consistent success throughout. He is dedicated to achieving top results whilst also developing the musicality of his students and thereby helping them to realise their potential.
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When he’s not teaching or involved in professional engagements, Diarmuid plays gigs with local bands, regularly attends gigs, concerts and festivals all over the country and is a keen rugby player at his local rugby club, City of Derry RFC.