Tullamore International Summer Organ Series

Carole O’Connor began organ studies with the late Anne Leahy at St Michael’s Church, Dún Laoghaire. In 2006 she graduated with first class honours in the organ class of the late Una Russell  at the Dublin Institute of Technology Conservatory of Music and Drama, and  in 2007 she gained a first-class honours masters degree in musicology from University College, Dublin. Further organ studies ensued with David Adams at the RIAM , and she subsequently completed a PhD in the DIT Conservatory of Music & Drama in research focussing on French organ music of the 20th century. Carole is currently an instrumental teacher at Blackrock College and Alexandra College, and she works as an accompanist for various choirs and soloists associated with the NCH and RTE. She is also organist of St. Andrew’s Church, Westland Row in Dublin.

Patrice Keegan began her organ studies with the late Una Russell in 2000 at the DIT Conservatory of Music & Drama, graduating with first class honours in 2006. While a student at DIT she concurrently held the position of organ scholar at Trinity College, Dublin for three years. Following graduation she assumed the position of organ scholar at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin for two years. In 2009 Patrice completed a masters degree in organ performance, studying with Una Russell and Margaret Phillips. She recently gained a doctorate in performance studies from the RIAM. Patrice has participated in many organ master class courses both at home and abroad, and in 2012 she was a participant in the Jan Kucharski International Organ Competition in Poland. In 2014 she released an album entitled Les Angélus with Niamh McCormack. Patrice performs regularly as a recitalist throughout Ireland and she is currently organist of Holy Cross Church, Dundrum, Dublin.