STAFF

Ciara O’Flanagan – Director

Founder and owner of Fermanagh School of Music and Performing Arts

Currently studying Masters in Education, specialising in Leadership and Management – Open University
Bachelor of Music Honours Degree – NUI Maynooth
PGCE specialising in Secondary Education Music – Liverpool Hope University
Grade 8 Piano – Trinity College
Grade 8 Theory – ABRSM
Grade 5 Voice – ABRSM

Senior Associate Diploma UASD in Speech and Drama

Grade 10 Speech and Drama – UASD
Diploma in Autism Awareness
Multi award winning Director in ADCI drama festivals
Certificate in Religious Studies
Over 20 years experience as a secondary school teacher.
Over 25 years experience in private music tuition, choirs, group work and online teaching.

‘Setting up a school of music and Performing Arts in my home county was a lifelong dream; so when returning from Liverpool in 2016, I began to put the wheels in motion. When I originally returned to Fermanagh in August 2016, we had 15 students and I am extremely proud to say, across all our classes and groups, we now have over 300 students involved in Fermanagh School of Music and Performing Arts. This is thanks to support of family, friends, people within our local community and most definitely the support of a super team of tutors who works hard every day to provide top level teaching and classes in both individual and group environments’.

Louie Bannon – Fiddle, Guitar and Bodhran Tutor

Fiddle/Violin, Guitar and Bodhran tutor Ulster and All Ireland medals on both Fiddle and Guitar 1st place Fiddle (slow air and lively) 15-18 2016Grade 8 level Violin Grade 8 level Traditional Fiddle Top achieving student in Music Taught by the hugely talented Pat McManus No stranger to the Irish Traditional music scenes throughout the country. Had recorded his own CD of both covers and own compositions. 

Marita Woods – Piano, Voice, Music Production and Theory Tutor

Marita is a professional composer, musician and sound and lighting engineer.
Starting music at a early age, Marita has developed her knowledge in singing, piano, music composition and Music Technology over the past 20 years. Graduating from the University of Chichester in Music and Music technology with a BA Honors. She holds a Master of Arts in Music Compositions for film and TV from the University of Bristol. Marita a PRS member has wrote Music scores for film and TV, recent projects include working on Feature films such as ‘A Christmas Star’ UTV/BBC NI, and ‘Un Pueblo Donde Dios No Existe Pirana Flim’ Turkey. With sound and light engineering experiences in theatre, live events and studio recording and with many results from her students at very high standard. Her experience and studies have given her the skills an inspiration to challenge her students and push them to their full potential.

 

Mandy Harris Gibbons – Voice Tutor

Hi, I successfully passed my A level music exam at Chichester College of Technology, West Sussex and have achieved Grade 8 level in both Singing and Music Theory. Whilst studying at Chi Tech, I was the lead singer of our Popular Music class big band and sung many classical jazz standards alongside performing on regular occasions in a Jazz funk band; gigging around in pubs and private parties. I have sang in numerous choirs over the years in various countries. Whilst living in Tenerife for 25 years and for a while, sang the bass part in a ladies barbershop quartet. I have also recorded backing vocals for many backing tracks which were sold to entertainers on the island as well as online.

Declan O’Hare – Guitar Tutor

Declan has been a professional touring musician and session player for over 20 years now. Over that time he has played for many of Irelands top entertainers and has performed all over Ireland, England and Scotland. He has also played in America, Spain and Canada including numerous Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises. Declan started playing guitar at the age of 13 and his guitar studies involved all styles including classical, rock and country guitar. At the age of 21 he enrolled in the Middle Tennessee State University in America to continue his studies in country guitar. Following that he returned home to begin his professional career. Since then Declan has performed with artists including Jimmy Buckley, The Three Amigo’s, Derek Ryan, Daniel O Donnell, Nathan Carter, Michael English, Charlie Pride and Mike Denver at either live gig’s, studio recording’s or both. He has performed on numerous TV and radio shows including The Late Late show and Glor Tire and has been a member of the house band for the TG4 show ” Opry Le Daniel” for the past 5 years. He was also involved in the “Country Roads” concert that was held last year in The Marquee in Cork where he played guitar with the RTE Concert Orchestra. Over the years he has also maintained his love of teaching by tutoring students on a one to one basis both from his home in Co. Down and also online via Skype and zoom.  – 

Edel Trotter – Piano Tutor

Edel has been a piano tutor with FSoMaPA since April 2017. 
She is a Primary School Music Teacher with 25 years’ experience (hard when you’re only 21 and a wee bit!) 
She teaches tin whistle and recorder in school, along with developing listening and appreciation skills, musicality and singing. Her school choirs have performed pantomimes, musicals, nativities, carol services, masses and at many cross-community events.
She was the main tutor for St Mary’s Maguiresbridge Youth Folk Group for three years.
She has O-level Music, Grade 7 piano from Trinity College, Grade 6 Music Theory and Grade 3 singing.

She loves teaching piano!

Adam Sacha Weston – Drums, Guitar, Voice, Music Production and Theory Tutor

Peter McMahon – Piano Tutor

Hello, the name’s Peter McMahon. I’m currently studying Music at Trinity College Dublin, and am absolutely loving it. My experience is primarily in song-writing, composition and performance, but I have my Grade 8 in classical Piano as well. I’ve been in a couple of bands over the years, and have been an accompanist for for a few FSoMaPA events as well. My primary instruments would be piano and voice, but I also have my Grade 8 in the violin, and have toured with a few orchestra’s.

 

Sam Barltrop – Guitar Tutor

Jodie Curran – Drama Tutor

I joined the Knock’s Drama Group in 2011. From there I took part in annual shows with the group, performing in the Knocks Hall, Ardhowen Theatre and studied for two summers at Stagewise Dublin – Ireland’s Top Performing Arts camp for teens. 
In 2020, I took part in the Amateur Drama Festival Circuit, which seen me perform in top theatres both north and south of the country.
The aim of mini mimics is to build the confidence of our kids and to continue their growth by learning innovative ways to communicate and socialise in ways that words cannot.
As each week goes by, our young people will develop a brand new set of skills that will allow their inner character to shine bright with plenty of fun and laughter along the way. At mini mimics every student who walks through our doors has something extraordinary and special to give and that’s just by being themselves. This is something that we focus on in every session in order to enrich the lives of our young people through the magic and wonder of the arts.

Aimee Drumm – Dance Tutor

Currently I am studying Fine Art at University, however I am a qualified dance instructor at the Fermanagh School of Music and Performing Arts and I have many years experience of teaching and choreographing dance. I work part time with local schools, clubs and production companies such as the Jets Cheerleading, Fermanagh BrightStarz and Fermanagh Musical Theatre. I have trained in many dancing styles, including Hip Hop, Jazz, Pom and Cheerleading.
As a dancer I am inspired by contemporary styles and techniques and try to create dances that are fun, unique and tailored to suit all dancing abilities. I have always had a passion for the performing arts, and over the years my involvement with drama has allowed me to develop my confidence and communication when working with others.
Being on stage is an amazing experience, and I believe it is a great creative outlet for people of all ages!

 

Abigail Rice – Piano Tutor, Support Staff and Junior Lighting Technician

I have been attending drama at FSoMaPA for over 3 years now. I first joined at a Easter camp in 2019. I felt so unbelievably welcomed by everyone in the group and I had such an enjoyable time I just had to return for the Friday night drama classes. Being apart of FSOMAPA has become a huge part of my life. It helped me build confidence and make new friends for life! I also help out the younger kids in the group who attend dance classes and mini mimics. I love working with the kids as they have amazing imaginations and the classes never get boring. Working with the kids has been a great experience and helped me gain so much new skills and their abilities to perform and come up with incredible new ideas never fails to amaze me!

I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to build my skills in Music and Drama, to the level that I am now Piano tutor for beginners and also Junior Lighting Technician, under the watchful eye of Marita.

Erin Curran – Piano Tutor and Support Staff

From a young age I have always loved Piano and musical theatre, from the songs to the acting. This led me to take an interest in everything to do with drama, even resulting in me studying performing arts for a level and continuing to study film studies at University.

Shannel McShea – Piano and Brass Tutor

Chloe McCaffrey (DipLCM)

Voice Tutor, Support Staff and Mini Mimics leader

Throughout my time here I have performed in a variety of shows such as High School Musical and I also completed my LCM Diploma in Musical Theatre at a distinction level. 

Katie Chapman – Voice Tutor and Support Staff

FSoMaPA has not only showed me what it takes to be a performer but also how to do behind the scenes work such as being part of the backstage crew in our stage production of “Blood Brothers” as well as script writing. FSoMaPA has also helped me develop my Musical Theatre and Pop Music Skills and has allowed me to complete a range of grades. I have been involved in many productions my favorites being Annie, Wizard of Oz and The Addams Family.

I am currently studying for my DipLCM in Musical Theatre.

Elizabeth Donaghy – Support Staff

I have loved my time with FSoMaPA so far as I’ve made life long friends

Erin-Louise McManus – Support Staff

I have a deep passion for Music and Theatre as a whole. Many musicians are very inspiring and encourage me to keep going! I also enjoy playing sports just as football and netball! My experience at FSoMaPA has been incredibly pleasant! Everybody is incredibly kind, caring and all in all wonderful! The tutors are wonderful people and always have your back! Drama encourages me to be more confident within myself and be more positive about my self image. Being on stage means the world to me! Knowing that a comedic line or an emotional piece can create so much emotion and joy for those watching encourages me to keep going and putting in the effort. Being part of group is awesome! Being in an atmosphere surrounded by people who have equally the same amount of interest in something as you do is loving and accepting. The group always makes others and I feel cared for and loved.