Inside the Orchestra – Summer Workshop

Instruments. Insight. Inspiration — and a whole lot of fun.

Come with friends and make new ones at “Inside the Orchestra”, a three‑day immersive Summer Workshop for intermediate to advanced orchestral musicians. Designed for players of strings, woodwinds, brass, and select percussion, this Summer Workshop blends high‑level music‑making with a welcoming, social, and energising community atmosphere.

Alongside full‑orchestra rehearsals, expert sectional coaching, and deep‑dive repertoire sessions, participants will enjoy a range of engaging, interactive activities—improvisation jams, guided listening workshops, lively talks, and even a musician‑themed quiz night. It’s as much about connecting and having fun as it is about refining your craft.

You’ll work closely with experienced tutors, explore iconic orchestral works, develop ensemble skills, and collaborate with fellow musicians from across Ireland and beyond. Chamber groups and pre‑formed ensembles are warmly welcomed too. (If you're participating as an ensemble (individual members need to register separately), please tick the relevant box in the registration form and contact us with additinal information about your ensemble by email to adultdivision@riam.ie.

The workshop culminates in a vibrant final performance featuring full‑orchestra selections and dedicated ensemble showcases—a celebratory finish to three days of music, learning, and new friendships.

Whether you're an advancing student, an aspiring professional, or an experienced player seeking fresh inspiration, Inside the Orchestra offers a supportive, challenging, and joyfully musical environment.

Professional players welcome. Not suitable for beginners. 

Schedule:

Day 1: Friday 3rd July

13:00–15:00 - Tutti Orchestra Rehearsal
15:00–16:00 - Activities: Improvisation & Listening Workshop
16:00–17:00 - Tutti Orchestra Rehearsal
17:00–18:00 - Light Activity: Music Quiz

Day 2:  Saturday 4th July

10:00–13:00 - Tutti Orchestra Rehearsal
13:00–14:00 - Lunch Break
14:00–15:00 - Activities: Tutor Performance & Short Repertoire Lecture
15:00–17:00 - Sectionals:

• Strings – Orchestra repertoire + strings-only piece
• Woodwinds – Orchestra repertoire + woodwind ensemble piece
• Brass – Orchestra repertoire + brass ensemble piece
• Chamber Groups – Pre-formed ensembles, coaching & performance
• Percussion – Integrated as required

Day 3: Sunday 5th July

10:00–12:00 - Sectionals
12:00–13:00 - Lunch Break
13:00–14:45 - Holistic Activities
15:00–16:00 - Tutti Orchestra Rehearsal
16:30–17:30 - Final Performance

Repertoire Preview (subject to changes)

Orchestra:

• The Sound of Music (Rogers & Hammerstein)
• In the Hall of the Mountain King (Grieg)
• L’Orfeo Overture (Monteverdi)

Strings:

• Rondeau (Purcell)
• Anitra’s Dance (Grieg)

Woodwinds:

• Water Music (Handel)

Brass:

• America (from West Side Story) (Berstein)
• William Tell Overture (Rossini)

What to expect

• Work closely with expert tutors in energising, supportive sectionals
• Play iconic repertoire from Grieg, Monteverdi, Purcell, Handel, Rossini & more
• Enjoy interactive improvisation sessions, listening workshops, quizzes, and fun pop‑up performances
• Take part in holistic musician‑wellbeing activities designed to refresh body and mind
• Perform in a vibrant final concert featuring full orchestra and ensemble showcases

Whether you're looking to sharpen your orchestral skills, connect with fellow musicians, or simply reignite your creative spark, Inside the Orchestra offers a friendly, inspiring, and musically rich summer experience.

• Participants must be 18+ years of age
• Participants should be intermediate level players (or higher)
• Participants need to bring their own instrument(s)

Davide Forti (Workshop Leader/Chamber Ensembles)

Davide Forti (b. 1993, Trieste, Italy) is an accomplished cellist and dedicated music educator currently based in Ireland. He began his studies at the Conservatorio G. Tartini in Trieste, earning his Master’s Degree in Cello Performance in 2017 with full marks. In 2019, he completed the prestigious Recital Artist Diploma (First Class Honours) at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) under the mentorship of William Butt.

As a performer, Davide is active across multiple platforms: as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral cellist. He regularly collaborates with ensembles such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Ulster Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Irish National Opera, and the Orchestra of the Irish National Youth Ballet. In 2024, he performed as second cello with the Northern Ireland Opera Orchestra.

Equally passionate about teaching, Davide is a committed and innovative pedagogue. He currently teaches cello at the Adult Division of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he works extensively with adult learners in both individual and group settings, including cello  ensembles. In addition, he teaches for Music Generation Louth, where he leads three orchestral programmes for students aged 7–18. Since 2019, he has served as conductor and music director of the Senior Orchestra, later expanding his role to include the Junior Orchestra and the First Strings programme. 

In August 2024, he led the Music Generation Louth Orchestra on a concert tour in Italy, an enriching musical and cultural experience that included collaborative performances with a local choir — fostering meaningful international connections through music. His teaching philosophy is rooted in student-centred development, focusing not only on technique but also on fostering creativity, independence, and a deep love of music. He has prepared numerous prize-winning students and has organised youth-focused musical outreach initiatives, including Corda Connections, a collaborative summer string camp with Music Generation Kerry and the Irish Youth Chamber Orchestra. 

Through his multi-faceted career, Davide Forti continues to combine performance excellence with an enduring commitment to education, collaboration, and musical innovation.

Francesca de Nardi (Strings)

Francesca De Nardi is an Italian-born pianist and violinist based in Ireland, recognised for her versatility as both a performer and educator. She currently serves as a piano teacher in the Early Years programme at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, teaches violin and piano at the Dundalk Institute of Technology and works with Music Generation Louth, supporting young musicians across different stages of development.

As a performer, Francesca is deeply engaged in chamber music and collaborates regularly in a wide range of ensembles and concert settings. She is also active as an orchestral violinist, having performed with groups such as the Northern Ireland Opera Orchestra and the The Ennio Morricone Experience, with whom she has toured extensively throughout Ireland over the past three years. Her chamber work includes the duo Sonas Duo, with cellist Davide Forti, with whom she has performed in all major Irish venues. They have been awarded several prizes, including 1st prize at the Feis Ceoil 2021 (Elsner Memorial Cup), 2nd prize at the LAMS Matera Competition 2020 and 1st prize at the IMKA International Music Competition 2019. 

Born in Trieste in 1991, Francesca graduated with full marks in piano from the Conservatorio G. Tartini in 2012. She later moved to Ireland to continue her studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where she specialised in chamber music under Lance Coburn. She also pursued violin studies, graduating from the same conservatory in 2017, and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Violin at RIAM in 2019 under Karl Sweeney. Her musical development has been enriched by masterclasses with distinguished musicians including Alessandro Miodini, Natalia Kudritskaya, Daniel Rowland, Michael Milstein and the Trio di Parma.

Alongside her musical training, she completed both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology at the Universities of Trieste and Udine between 2010 and 2015, graduating with full marks and honours before dedicating herself fully to her musical career.

Vourneen Ryan (Woodwinds/Holistic Activities)

Vourneen Ryan is a professional flautist, teacher and performance psychologist. She performs regularly with many of the major orchestras in Ireland and the UK. Vourneen was invited to join the internationally-acclaimed Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 2004 where she held the position of Co-Principal Flute.

Vourneen began her studies with Doris Keogh at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and continued her flute studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She continued her studies at Waterford Institute of Technology earning a Masters degree in Sports, Exercise and Performance Psychology. Since then, she has worked with musicians of all skill levels and ages.

As a professional performing artist herself, Vourneen employs a hands on approach to her performance psychology practice, with a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of mental skills training. Vourneen delivers Career Development workshops to students at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and has delivered Mental Skills Training for Performance workshops to students at the University of Limerick and DKIT.

Vourneen is currently a teacher of flute studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and utilises mental skills training techniques to motivate and inspire her students. In 2017, Vourneen was invited to contribute to the Association of European Conservatoires SMS (Strengthening Music in Society) 4 year project. She has recently been awarded an Amplify Research grant from the RIAM to devise and deliver a psychological skills teacher training programme for instrumental and vocal tutors called ‘Find your ‘Flow’ and Flourish!’ Vourneen is currently owner and director of a Performance Coaching Consultancy, The School of Performance

Colm Byrne (Brass)

Colm began playing the cornet at the age of six. His father, a trombone and piano player taught him first and then sent him to hislocal brass band in Navan . Three years later he attended the Royal Irish Academy of Music to study the trumpet with James Cavanagh. Under Jimmy’s guidance, Colm won junior and senior Feis Ceoil and also the Walton cup for Brass. He took part in ten years of ensemble playing including the RIAM ensembles, National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, Irish Youth Symphonic Wind Ensemble and European Wind Ensemble. Aged fifteen Colm performed the Hummel Trumpet Concerto with the RTE Concert Orchestra for TV, broadcast by the European Broadcast Union.

To further his studies, Colm moved to Glasgow and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where he studied trumpet with John Gracie, principal trumpet with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He finished his Degree and took with him the Governors Recital Prize for Brass, numerous chamber music prizes and a scholarship to Aspen School of Music. Returning to Ireland Colm began his professional career as a teacher and freelance trumpeter. He has performed with both RTE Orchestra’s, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Orchestra of Saint Cecilia, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

He has played solo works with the Ruckert Chamber Orchestra, Irish Youth Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the RIAM Symphony and Baroque Orchestras, the RTE Concert Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. He has played many Trumpet/Organ recitals through Ireland and Scotland. Colm has also recorded extensively on numerous movie scores, adverts and jingles, and an array of albums of different genre with many groups. For over 15 years Colm recorded regularly with the Irish Film Orchestra. Following a return to part-time study Colm obtained his masters degree in music from Dublin City University and the RIAM where he has taught trumpet since 1998. In April of 1999 he joined the brass section of the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland as co-principal trumpet.