Rhythm, Melody and Belonging – An Inclusive Workshop for Adults
Rhythm, Melody and Belonging is a creative two-day music workshop for neuro-divergent adults, exploring sound across a range of different instruments.
Description
Across two days, participants will have the opportunity to experiment with rhythms melody, make music together and express themselves creatively. No previous musical experience is needed, the focus is on exploration, enjoyment and discovering what each person can create.
The workshop will build towards a final performance on the second day, giving participants the chance to share the music they have created together in a supportive environment.
Most importantly, this workshop is about facilitating creativity, building community and giving everyone a space to express themselves.
Saturday 24th October
11-11.45am – content?
15 minute break
12-12.45 – content?
Sunday 25th October
11-11.45am – content?
15 minute break
12-12.45pm – content?
Tutors
Adam Buttimer
Adam Buttimer is an award-winning tuba player from Tipperary whose career spans solo performance, chamber music, orchestral playing, and inclusive music education.
As a soloist, Adam has won numerous competitions, including the RDS Musician Award and Bursary and the Feis Ceoil Senior Brass competition. He has performed as a soloist in some of Ireland’s leading venues, including the National Concert Hall and RTÉ Studio 1, and has appeared as part of festivals including Kilkenny Arts Festival and Music for Galway.
Adam is also an accomplished chamber musician. As a member of Banshee Brass, he won the Dublin Chamber Music Festival competition two years in a row and has performed at a wide range of festivals and events, including Bloom with RTÉ Lyric FM, the Killaloe Chamber Music Festival and Clonmel’s Finding a Voice. His orchestral experience includes performances with the National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra, among others.
Alongside his performing career, Adam has developed a particular passion for making music accessible and enjoyable for everyone. For the past five years, he has founded and managed the Exploring the Orchestra Summer Camp at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, sponsored by Matheson LLP. What began as an isolated sensory-friendly concert has grown into a week-long introduction to the orchestra, providing participants with a safe, welcoming and sensory-friendly environment in which to explore, interact with and learn about music.
Adam has developed a interest in pedagogical approaches for neurodivergent learners and is passionate about creating music-making experiences that respond to different ways of learning and communicating. He looks forward to bringing his musical experience, creativity, and inclusive teaching approach.
Leonardo Cassandro
A professional musician and educator with over 15 years of experience. A graduate of BIMM Music Institute in Dublin, he brings a wealth of expertise in both performance and pedagogy.
Leonardo programs and delivers drumming, percussion, pre-instrumental, and early years courses for Music Generation. His work often focuses on engaging with communities facing significant challenges, including individuals with additional needs and groups affected by socio-economic hardships. His efforts aim to ensure that those often left behind have access to the transformative power of music.
He collaborates with the National Concert Hall, offering percussion workshops to diverse communities, inspiring a love for music nationwide. He is also involved in innovative initiatives like Music in Mind, promoting inclusion and accessibility in music, and Teen Spirit with Music Generation Kildare, providing young musicians opportunities to perform in prestigious venues like the Riverbank Arts Centre and the National Concert Hall.
As a founding member of the Orff-Schulwerk Association Ireland, Leonardo advocates for creative music education, organizing workshops and masterclasses with renowned experts. His teaching philosophy emphasizes performance-based learning and active participation, helping students deepen their understanding, build confidence, and explore creativity. He is passionate about using music to foster personal growth, community connections, and meaningful experiences.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn something new
- Meet new people
- Gain confidence
- Have fun
- Creating a performance