Masterclasses and Workshops
Isabelle O’Connell currently serves on the piano faculty of Bard College and Conservatory of Music (New York) as Artist-in-Residence. She is also on faculty at the Diller-Quaile School of Music in New York City. She teaches piano, theory and chamber music. Isabelle was formerly a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music Prep Division and Lucy Moses School at the Kaufman Center in NYC.
Isabelle has served on the jury of the Renee B. Fisher Piano Competition in New Haven and the J Y Park Piano Competiton at Western Connecticut State University.
Additionally, she is regularly invited to give workshops and masterclasses on contemporary music at colleges and festivals.
These have included:
Princeton University
The European Piano Teachers’ Association
Montclair State University, New Jersey
New Zealand School of Music
Queens University, Belfast
Dublin Institute of Technology
Cork School of Music
Waterford New Music Festival
Galway Music Residency Festival
Isabelle is also available to give lessons online via Zoom. For more information please email here.
Examples of past lectures and workshops:
“composing For PIano”
A workshop for student composers explaining the mechanics of piano technique and the do’s and don’ts for writing for piano. This workshop demonstrates the physical capabilities of playing the instrument, along with the sonic possibilities of playing inside the piano as well as on the keys. Other topics covered include notation and working with fixed media.
"Beyond The Keys"
An introduction to the exciting world of extended piano techniques and the realm of sounds to be found within. This workshop This workshop explores the various techniques and effects that can be created from inside the piano, including musical examples from George Crumb's Makrokosmos and piano pieces by Henry Cowell.
“Contemporary Piano Music By Women”
A presentation exploring works by notable women who are composing for piano today. This includes a discussion of the historic obstacles facing women in music and society, along with trail-blazing examples of how they have carved out their own career paths to make a space in the canon.
“Contemporary Irish Composers and the piano”
An overview of contributions to the piano repertoire by contemporary Irish composers from the 1970’s to the present day, including a discussion of my own collaborations and commissioning projects.
“Piano Repertoire for students by Contemporary Irish Composers”
An exploration of ways in which to approach contemporary piano music from a pedagogical point of view, focusing on specific examples of music by Irish composers. Focus is on intermediate/advanced student level.