Royal Irish Academy of Music

The MMusPerf Programme attracts instrumentalists and vocalists who have achieved a high level of technical and musical skills in their undergraduate studies.


For more details relevant to your instrument/voice, please see the information below:


1.MMusPerf (Keyboard)

2.MMusPerf (Strings)

3.MMusPerf (Vocal Studies)

4.MMusPerf (Woodwind, Brass & Percussion)


1.MMusPerf (Keyboard)

An Introduction from Head of Keyboard, Colma Brioscú


Welcome to the Keyboard overview of the MMusPerf programme at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. The Keyboard Faculty has a rich tradition of success amongst our graduates, who perform in concert halls around the world. A committed teaching staff includes distinguished soloists and chamber musicians, and renowned pedagogues. It is our privilege to support our students to achieve their best.


The Keyboard Department caters for music studies in piano, harpsichord, organ and accordion.


I am very happy to take queries from you. You can contact me on colmabrioscu@riam.ie


2.MMusPerf (Strings)

An Introduction from Head of Strings and Chamber Music, Sarah Sew


The RIAM combines traditional values of fundamental technical excellence with a modern and holistic approach to learning. In every aspect of the course students are encouraged to study in depth, connecting all areas of learning, both academic and practical.


Through the generous 2 hours of one-to-one lessons per week, students have the space to concentrate on both technique and repertoire, and develop a rapport with their principal study teacher. In addition to this, students also have access to visiting artists in masterclasses, multiple chamber music coaches, performance class tutors, accompanists and sectional tutors, which include principal players from Ireland's professional orchestras. I believe that having access to multiple teachers is vital in exposing students to different teaching styles in order to develop an open-minded approach to learning.


We offer string players a wide range of performance classes, such as orchestral excerpts classes, audition workshops, historical performance classes, contemporary techniques and performance training. In these classes, students refine their practical performance skills, cultivate a breadth of knowledge and develop critical listening skills.


Chamber music is at the heart of music making and all string players are placed in a string quartet or piano trio. Through independent rehearsals, these groups mature and develop, mentored by designated chamber music coaches. Highlights from 2019 include a side-by-side chamber music project led by International Visiting Artist, Daniel Rowland, where exceptional students perform Mendelssohn and Enescu string octets alongside professional artists in the National Gallery of Ireland.


Through an exciting programme of concert opportunities, published in our events calendar, students build up their performing experience. My ambition is for each string player to grow into an innovative artist able to communicate his or her own genuine ideas, and to graduate from the RIAM with passion to work hard and a conviction to find meaning."


Sarah Sew sarahsew@riam.ie


3.MMusPerf (Vocal Studies)

Welcome to the Vocal Studies and Opera overview of the MMusPerf programme at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. There is a rich tradition of success amongst our vocal graduates, who perform in opera houses and concert halls around the world.


At RIAM we aim to equip you with all the necessary skills to enable you to reach your full potential. Our dynamic MMus in Performance course has been specifically designed to set you on the path to a successful performance career in the 21st century.

We pride ourselves on our small intake of talented students and our supportive learning environment.


•You will have two hours of singing lessons per week with a vocal teacher of international calibre.


•You will also have weekly lessons with a vocal coach and accompanist.


•RIAM singers are also guaranteed individual coaching sessions and masterclasses with our International Visiting Artists.


•In addition, we offer a wide range of classes to support your vocal, physical and musical development. These include group classes in Languages, Movement, Acting, Yoga, Song, and Opera Performance.


We are passionate about performance at RIAM. Our students are guaranteed a wealth of performance opportunities throughout their studies. We produce two fully staged opera productions per year in professional theatres, directed by leading opera directors and conductors. We have also established performance collaborations for our vocal students with the Guildhall School, London, the Juilliard School, New York, and the Liszt Academy, Budapest.


I am very happy to take queries from you. You can contact me on kathleentynan@riam.ie


4.MMusPerf (Woodwind, Brass & Percussion)

An Introduction from the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion, David Collins


The RIAM Wind, Brass and Percussion department are proud of our student focused approach to learning and development and the calibre of our students and graduates.


Our students take priority at every stage of our degree programmes and we welcome regular international visiting artists and teachers for masterclasses and collaborative projects.


Additionally, all Bachelor and Masters students receive 2 hours of individual tuition each week which is unrivalled nationally. Feedback at weekly performance class, repertoire sessions, audition training and screened auditions all prepare our students with the skills they need to successfully negotiate and strive in the profession.


We want our students to have an experience that mirrors directly the music profession. Orchestral playing is a core element of your training at the RIAM and our teaching faculty are drawn from RTÉ National Symphony, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra and contemporary music group Crash Ensemble.


In addition to intensive RIAM Podium projects led by international conductors, the RIAM offers side by side scheme opportunities with RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra as well as internal and external competitions, all of which make the RIAM the ideal place to study.


The relatively small department size means that students receive more time working with visiting artists, more orchestral performance opportunities and a closer working relationship with our teaching faculty. RIAM Alumni from our Wind, Brass and Percussion department currently hold positions in orchestras across Ireland, the UK and Europe.


Recent WBP masterclasses include visits from Jörg Widmann (RIAM International Visting Artist), Sir. James Galway, Peter Whelan, Marie-Luise Neunecker, Häkan Hardenberger and David Herbert.


Head of Wind, Brass & Percussion: David Collins davidcollins@riam.ie