Gary Curley – Button Accordion
Hailing from Boho in Co. Fermanagh, Gary Curley is primarily renowned for his musicianship on the button accordion. In recent years, Gary has also established great expertise with instruments such as the concertina and melodeon. As a sought-after performer, Gary is increasingly in demand, appearing at numerous festivals throughout Ireland and abroad, where he entertains audiences with his performances and imparts his knowledge as a guest tutor. With over a decade dedicated to tutoring traditional Irish music, Gary has established a strong reputation across Fermanagh and its neighbouring counties, earning his place as one of the region’s leading music tutors.
Gary’s exceptional musicianship has been recognised and celebrated through numerous Fleadh Cheoil competitions, receiving a range of accolades at county, provincial, and all-Ireland competition levels in both junior and senior capacities. His academic accomplishments echo his dedication to music. Graduating from Ulster University with a First Class Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Music and later obtaining a PGCE in Music Education, Gary has demonstrated his scholarly approach to his craft. His musical knowledge and talents have led to appearances on various television and radio programmes, including TG4’s Fleadh TV & Sruth, RTE’s Céilí House & Ceol Binn ó na Beanna, and BBC’s Folk Club & Blas Ceoil, reaching audiences worldwide
Yvonne McGinley – Piano Accordion
Yvonne is teacher and performer of the piano accordion, is from Stranorlar, Co.Donegal. She began playing the accordion at the age of 7. After having been awarded First Class Honours on the B.A. Irish Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Yvonne went on to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Music) at the National University of Ireland, Galway.
Yvonne teaches in a range of settings including music schools, her own group classes in Stranorlar and Letterkenny and online lessons. Since returning to her native Donegal, she has placed a strong emphasis on enriching the lives of students through music education
and currently teaches in several primary schools.
Yvonne plays a Saltarelle Clifden piano accordion and a Serenellini Jet.
Donna Harkin – Button Accordion
Donna is an accordion player and teacher of traditional Irish music from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. A well travelled veteran of traditional music, has been teaching almost as long as she has been playing, as is often the case in the Irish music scene where peer teaching has always been commonplace. Her primary instrument is the B/C button accordion and she has played and can teach a wide variety of instruments.
Donna spends her time between her new home in Germany and her native Donegal.
She is an influential part of the Donegal music scene and has been recently honoured for her contribution to traditional Irish music and music education at the Cup of Tae festival in Ardara, following in the footsteps of greats such as Mairead Mooney and Dermot Byrne. She has travelled far and wide and is known and respected for her musicianship and teaching skills around the globe. Donna’s approach to teaching is one part learning to two parts fun, infusing enthusiasm and compassion into tackling the theory, practicality and expression of music on an instrument that can sometimes feel a bit like wrestling an octopus. Her classes are practical, insightful and thoroughly enjoyable so blow the dust off that box under the bed and sign up now!