Teachers Archives

Niamh Parkes

Niamh started singing and performing from the young age of 6 in her local Stage School where she trained for 9 years in singing, drama and dance. In addition, she studied voice from age 10 with the Leinster School of Music under the guidance of Ann Fetherston and trained with both Derval O’Sullivan, and Colette McGahon, as part of her undergraduate degree in Music Education in Trinity College and the DIT Conservatory of Music, from which she graduated in 2017. She currently trains with Mairead Buicke and is working towards a teaching diploma in voice.

Niamh is a fully qualified music teacher at secondary school level with a speciality in voice and is teaching in Dublin. Niamh also works with Intrepidus Stage School teaching singing and drama. She has Musically Directed a number of shows including Hairspray and new musical Crush over the past couple of years. Niamh has won many singing competitions throughout the years including Kilcoole Music Festival, Arklow Music Festival, Feis Ceoil and DIT in-house competitions. She is a regular performer and soloist with several choirs and musical theatre groups, having played principal roles in several musicals.

Niamh sings regularly with the TUD Chamber Choir, recently winning Ireland’s Choir of the Year and placing 2nd in the International Fleischmann competition in Cork International Choral festival 2018.

Niamh is excited to be working with CÓRus, as singing and teaching are her passions in life.

Karen Armitage

Karen believes passionately in the holistic benefits of music, particularly singing, and firmly believes in the philosophy that everyone should be provided opportunities to enjoy the immeasurable benefits of group singing. She has been teaching music for over 20 years and is currently employed as the Director of Music in St. Andrew’s College Junior School where she has worked full-time for 12 years. During that time she has launched a hugely successful string programme giving all children in the school the opportunity to learn either the violin, cello or double bass. She also set up and manages an instrument programme with 9 professional teachers which provides voice, piano, cello, violin, guitar and double bass lessons to over 160 children every week. She teaches piano, violin, singing, musical theatre, music classes, orchestra, conducts 2 children’s choirs and conducts a Parent Choir which she set up 5 years ago.

Karen’s passion is Musical Theatre and she has performed and played the lead in many musicals both locally and in The Pavillion Theatre, The Mill Theatre, the Point and the National Concert Hall. She originally studied voice, piano, violin and theory with the London Board ABRSM and the RIAM. She has studied dance for 17 years and she is a qualified Montessori teacher. Karen holds a London College of Music DipLCM in Musical Theatre with distinction and is currently studying for her ALCM with Chris Holland, former West End star for 20 years.

Karen is delighted to be working as part of the CÓRus team where she will be encouraging all ages and abilities to come together to sing, de-stress and most importantly have fun!

Margaret Hayes Mahon

Margaret’s innate passion for choral singing and conducting have brought her to work with CÓRus. Her great love of Musical Theatre has meant lengthy and varied involvement with musical life in the Naas area. She is a past rehearsal pianist, chorus mistress and award winning Musical Director of local Musical Societies. She has studied Choral Conducting with Dr.Geoffrey Spratt (Director, CIT Cork School of Music) and Dr.David Brophy (RTE Concert Orchestra). She has been awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Choral Conducting from St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra (DCU), having studied with Dr. Marion Doherty-Hayden and Kevin O’Carroll.

Margaret also has vast experience working with church choirs and was the Conductor and Musical Director of Baldonnel Singers. She led them to success in choral competition and in many public performances and concerts.

Margaret looks forward to meeting CÓRus members of all ages and abilities for enjoyable and enriching singing classes.

Karen Horan

Karen has a BA (Hons) degree in Commercial Modern Music from BIMM Dublin. Here she studied vast aspects of the music industry, including vocal technique, vocal styles, music theory, music business, composition, production, recording and performance.

She was a member of Billie Barry stage school from the age of 4 until her early twenties. Here she performed in notable venues such as the Gaiety Theatre, the Concert Hall, the RDS and the Clasac Theatre. She studied both tap and jazz dancing styles and was a member of the choir.

She has been in choirs since she was a child in school and throughout college. This is where she found her passion for harmony. She utilised this skill whilst in the pop band Badger Hill along with 3 other vocalists. Whilst with the band she performed in venues such as the Button Factory, Whelan’s and the Grand Social.

Karen is is delighted to be working as part of the CÓRus team and cannot wait to see both new and familiar faces each week

Fiona Sweeney

Fiona loves to get people singing, especially as part of a group singing in beautiful harmony. She believes singing is for everyone of all ages and musical abilities; it’s a fun and uplifting experience, and it is also good for you, mentally and physically!

Fiona has been involved in choirs from childhood, as a singer, and more recently as a conductor. Fiona has been leading CÓRus classes since 2011. She has successfully led our Lucan, Tallaght and Ballyroan CÓRus classes since their foundation. As well as teaching CÓRus classes she leads quartets, small singing groups and ‘Come & Sing’ events and teaches singing in a primary school. She has studied piano, singing and music theory and holds a professional diploma in choral conducting from St. Patrick’s/DCU.

Mary Lowe

Mary Lowe has over 35 years experience in media and music both as a performer and presenter. Her debut album, titled ‘Mary Lowe – Jazz Diva’, was released in 2006 to great acclaim. Mary arranges and records all harmonies in the CÓRus term songs and along with Yvonne, has developed a unique teaching methodology, which is exclusive to CÓRus. Mary’s greatest passion is teaching and over the last 10 years she has taught hundreds of women and men harmony skills, breathing techniques, range development, pitch correction, articulation and performance of an eclectic range of songs and loves every minute of her time with such enthusiastic and committed singers!