Ceolfhoireann Náisiúnta Óige na hÉireann


Originally from Donaghcloney, Co. Down, Zoe learned cello from an early age, and later piano. She graduated through many different orchestras, string quartets and choirs. She played in the student-run Dublin University Orchestra and also with the New Irish Orchestra, based in Belfast where she was privileged to play on a number of RTÉ radio broadcasts and take part in studio recordings. After graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, Zoe went to Kenya with the Suas Volunteer Programme and worked as a teaching assistant. Since then she has worked on several projects with Real Event Solutions, an educational event management company where her responsibilities included project management of the Food Dudes campaign, and work in schools on a project commissioned by Irish Aid, aimed at creating awareness of the Millennium Development Goals; worked in administrative support for Rothwell Performance Consulting; and taught piano part-time at the Castleknock School of Music. Zoe is a graduate from Trinity College, Dublin with an honours degree in Psychology. She also has Music A-Level, and has a Diploma in Piano Performance from the London College of Music.

Gillian Sheils grew up in Dublin but has lived in Drogheda for the past 30 years. Forbidden to learn music during her schooling she joined AIB Bank in 1971. During her banking career she worked in Income Tax, Financial Control, Branch Banking, Securities and Credit Card Centre. Early in her working career she came in contact with brass bands and taught herself the cornet, playing with St. George's Brass Band, Dublin. On moving to Drogheda she put herself through Practical & Theory grades with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, played cornet with the Drogheda Brass Band and taught in their school of music. Changing to tenor horn she was a Gold Medal winner at the Feis Ceoil in 1994. She currently plays baritone with St. George's Brass Band and tenor horn with Trédagh Brass. She has served on the committee of her own band, then with the North Eastern Region and eventually spent fifteen years on the Executive of the Irish Association of Brass Bands, the last ten as General Secretary. She is also currently the Irish Republics representative to the European Brass Band Association. In 1995 she took a career break from the bank and studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music for two years completing a Diploma in Performance & Teaching. Immediately on completing her exams she joined the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. During the years she has been involved in many events designed to promote brass bands including a co-operative effort with Music Network to bring London Brass on an Irish Tour giving both concerts and masterclasses. She also organised the visit of Fine Arts Brass Ensemble to Drogheda and is currently arranging the first ever Tenor Horn Day in Ireland.
back to top