Padraig O'Kane
Padraig is currently employed by the Education Authority Music Service, where he is a string tutor in many of the local primary and post primary schools. In his work with the Education Authority, he is responsible for teaching a wide range of lesson delivery, from whole class tuition to large group tuition and individual lessons. He also conducts the Music Service string orchestras, both Junior and Intermediate.
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Padraig began his musical education at the age of six, learning piano initially and then a year later began violin tuition within the Western Education and Library Board Music Service. With the Music Service, he attended all Junior and Intermediate ensembles, and was Leader of the WELB Senior Youth Orchestra in 2007 and again in 2008. Padraig attended St. Columb’s College, where he was heavily involved in all musical aspects of the school life, including the school orchestra, choir and playing in school shows. In 2006 Padraig attended a chamber music workshop with the Apple Hill Players in Derry. He was awarded a Playing for Peace Scholarship to attend two sessions of the Apple Hill Summer Chamber Music Workshop in New Hampshire USA.
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After his A Levels, Padraig attended King’s College London where he studied for a BMus. He also attended the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London, where he received all of his violin tuition. During his time at King’s he was Section Leader of the King’s College London Symphony Orchestra.
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Since graduating, Padraig has played in the orchestra for many local companies including Foyle Opera, North West Opera, Londonderry Musical Society, Donegal Voices and Orchestra North West.