About Us

About Us

The Royal Irish Academy of Music is Ireland’s oldest conservatoire, ranked in the top 50 institutions in the world for the performing arts. We train gifted musicians from all over the world for careers in music performance, composition and pedagogy. Our graduates are innovative and reflective, with skills that enable them to take on the challenge of a life in the creative arts with confidence and zest.

Our teaching staff includes many international prize-winners and principals of professional orchestras in Ireland. It also includes individuals whose names have become synonymous with music education in Ireland. These experienced teachers are passionate about working with talented students to unlock their artistic potential.

Regular visitors include international artists such as:

  • Sir James Galway, Ann Murray DBE
  • guitarist Xuefei Yang
  • violinist Daniel Rowland

Our performing groups are celebrated for the vitality and passion of their performances. These groups are regularly invited to perform at significant venues both in Ireland and overseas.

Graduate successes

In recent years students of the RIAM have been finalists and winners of some of the world's most prestigious international competitions. This includes the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition, the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, the China International Vocal Competition, the Cologne International Piano Competition, the Dublin International Piano Competition and the Kohn Foundation Wigmore Hall Song Prize.

On the international stage, former students are currently members of leading orchestras: the London Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as opera houses from the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden to La Scala, Milan.

Still more RIAM graduates are busy chamber, community and contemporary musicians and teachers, using their flexible skills to forge successful portfolio careers.