Catherine McGlinchey, MSc, Dip RIAM, joined Music West in 2022 and teaches clarinet, saxophone and piano, as well as the Early Years Music Magic pre-instrumental programme.  She is passionate about helping children, young people and adults to experience the well-being benefits of musicianship for life. Students can learn instrument skills for exams or informal playing for pleasure, depending on their interests.

 

Catherine played music from an early age, learning traditional Irish music at the Liverpool Irish Centre and classical piano and clarinet privately.  During her teenage years she has happy memories of playing clarinet with the Westport Town Band under the baton of Mike Roberts and piano/piano accordion at Westport Comhaltas and pub sessions.  Over the years, informal music playing and choir-leading has brought friendships, opportunities and travel her way.

 

After a busy career managing community based projects and working as a professional trainer, Catherine earned a Diploma in Group Music Teaching with the RIAM in 2016 and went full-time into teaching music, both privately and with Sligo Music Generation (2016-22). She is trained in Kodaly teaching methods and regularly attends music CPD programmes.

 

During a sabbatical in France in 2018, she undertook saxophone training with Jazz Saxophonist, Willie Dubois in Orleans and toured with the L&Co saxophone ensemble. Catherine migrated back to Westport in 2019 and established private music classes at her studio there.  She joined the Music Generation Mayo team in 2022 teaching on the Ceol Na n’Og schools programme and leading the newly established MGM Mayo Children’s Chorus based at Music West.

 

Catherine plays clarinet and saxophone with Mayo Concert Orchestra and is a singer in the BellaCapella choir based at Music West.  She is Choir Leader of the Westport Town Hall Community Choir and is Musical Director of the very successful annual Community Pantomime at Westport Town Hall.