Niamh Crowley

Niamh, a native of Rosses Point, began her musical training at the age of four and attended the Royal Irish Academy of Music for eleven years. She continued her studies at the Royal College of Music, London with the celebrated Israeli violinist Professor Itzhak Rashkovsky, graduating with a first class honours degree and subsequently a postgraduate in performance as a Senior Exhibitioner and holder of the Beckwith Music Scholarship.

She was awarded the centenary Tagore Gold Medal for the most outstanding student at the College and performed for HRH Prince Charles who presented her with the award.

Niamh tours regularly with Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland including tours in South America, America, China and throughout Europe. She also works with the National Symphony Orchestra, RTE Orchestra and the National Sinfonia. She is an experienced recitalist and has performed concertos with many orchestras including Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the RTE Concert Orchestra and Saint-Saens' Violin Concerto in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. She has toured extensively with the European Union Youth Orchestra and has worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

In September 2000 Niamh founded the Sligo Academy of Music to create opportunities for instrumental tuition in the classical genre in the Northwest. Now with 12 teachers and catering for over 300 students emphasis is placed on developing musical skills in an enjoyable way where the musical talents of each child can develop naturally according to their potential.

Niamh is the recipient of many prizes and awards including The Royal College of Music Orchestral Leadership Award, Cobett and Hurlstone Award and the Sullivan and Farrar Award for performance, the Peadar Cillin Medal for the Highest mark in Leaving Certificate Music and the Mossman Prize for the highest mark in Great Britain and Ireland for Piano Associated Board Exams.