Bio

I am a reliable, friendly and understanding teacher. My number one priority during lessons is to enjoy music making!  I am a classically trained bassoon and qualified teacher, with a bachelor’s degree with distinction, from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a diploma in Music Teaching and Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. I have been teaching students of all ages and levels since 2021, both over Zoom and in person. As a performer, I have plenty of experience performing both as a soloist and in ensembles. As a soloist, I performed at Wigmore Hall for Irish Heritage Bursary Finals and was a finalist at the prestigious Needlemakers Prize. I have freelanced with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra and  National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.  I am currently on the Orchestral Artistry Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I’m a member of Setanta Winds, who perform in the UK and Europe. I love teaching people of all ages and levels – from beginner level all the way up! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, I look forward to meeting you! *I HAVE AN ENHANCED DBS* I can arrange lessons on a weekly or monthly basis, and can be flexible with date and time. I can also offer a merge of zoom and in person.

Maria O’Dea is an Irish Bassoonist studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She began studying bassoon under the tuition of John Hearne in the Conservatoire of TUDublin. In 2021, Maria graduated from RIAM with a Diploma in Music Teaching and Performing. Since then, she completed her undergraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, under the tuition of Daniel Jemison, Helen Storey, and Richard Ion, with great thanks to the generous support of the Timothy Gee Scholarship. She is now a scholar student on the Orchestra Artistry Postgraduate course in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Maria has built a strong name for herself as a soloist and was awarded the Rising Stars Solo Recital at the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival alongside pianist Luke Lally Maguire in 2024. The duo also took part in Feis Cecil 2024, securing 1st place at the Elsner Memorial Cup. She performed the Andre Previn Bassoon Sonata at the Wigmore Hall as a finalist of the Irish Hertiage Music Bursaries. This year she was a finalist in the prestigious Needlemaker’s Prize. During her time at Guildhall, Maria has been selected for masterclasses with renowned bassoonists, Theo Plath, Bence Boganyi, Fanny Maselli, Vahan Khourdoian, and Roberto Giaccaglia.

Maria is currently teaching in London and is passionate about accessible musical education for children.

Teaching Info

Bassoon Lessons:

– One to one lessons focusing on technique and musicality on the bassoon through the stucture of Grade examinations

– Lesson structure can vary based off student preference and age e.g lots of sing and play involved with beginners and well as general music pedagogy

– I always try to bring my bassoon to lessons and love playing alongside students and encourage performances

-Provide recommendations to ensembles, orchestras and music groups for students to get involved with