Avril Kneafsey –  Flute, Recorder, Piano, Music Theory, Junior and Leaving Cert Music Curriculum Tutor

Avril Kneafsey is a composer and flautist from the west of Ireland. Holding a BA (Hons) in Music and an MA in Composition and Creative Music Practice, she is proficient in both classical and Irish traditional music.

As a composer, Avril has collaborated with leading ensembles and musicians across Ireland, the UK, and Austria, including Dr. Xenia Pestova Bennett, PHACE Ensemble, David Bremner, and the Eire Guitar Duo.Reviewing a performance of her guitar duo Cithara, The Journal of Music described her work as “episodic”, “like early Baroque”, and “stylistic hopping”-all as marks of its originality and character.

Alongside her compositional work, Avril is an accomplished flautist with experience as both a soloist and orchestral performer. Career highlights include performing at the residence of the Ambassador to Ireland in Abu Dhabi for International Children’s Day, where she premiered an original composition, and performing the flute solo in Lord of the Dance at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, with the piece’s composer Ronan Hardiman in attendance.

Avril has been involved in Music West since her early teens when she started taking flute lessons. She was a member of Mayo Youth Orchestra and Castlebar Concert Band and more recently Mayo Concert Orchestra.

Avril is available to teach Flute, Recorder, Piano, Music Theory and Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Music. She welcomes students of all ages and abilities.