Aisling Heneghan-Greally

MSc, MA, Recital Dip (RAM), Konzert Dip (Mozarteum), LRAM, ARCM, FTCL
 

Aisling is involved with the ABRSM in a variety of ways.  She is a theory examiner and she sets exam papers for the UK and International Theory Exams.  She is also an external consultant for theory, syllabus and digital learning.  She has co-compiled and co-edited (with David Blackwell) a ground breaking series of new piano books for the ABRSM, published September 2016.

Piano Star – Compiled and Edited by David Blackwell & Aisling Greally

Education and Qualifications

Aisling (b. 1961) graduated academically from Trinity College Dublin University in 1982, with collateral distinction in performance.  She continued her studies, on scholarship, at the Banff Centre in Canada, and at the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied piano with Christopher Elton and harpsichord with Virginia Black. This culminated in her gaining the Recital Diploma and the Meaker Fellowship.

She then, by invitation, joined the class of Kenneth Gilbert at the Mozarteum in Salzburg for four years, obtaining the Concert Diploma with distinction.  Aisling has a BSc in Psychology and an MSc, with distinction, in Child Development, both from the University of London.

As first prizewinner at the International Young Concert Artists Competition of Royal Tunbridge Wells Aisling made her debut in the Wigmore Hall in 1983.  She has given several solo recitals at the Purcell Room and was the soloist in Bach’s D minor and E major Concerti and the Falla Concerto at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

As soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland she performed concerti by Mozart, Ravel, Shostakovich, Bartok and Prokofiev.  Other notable performances include the complete cycle of Bach’s 48 Preludes and Fugues at Trinity College Dublin University quater-centenary celebrations, a performance of the Goldberg Variations at the Dublin Organ Festival, a recital on harpsichord at the Glinka Museum of Ancient Instruments in Moscow, and other recitals in Belgium, France, Italy, Germany and Austria.

She has recorded numerous recital programmes commissioned for radio in Ireland, the UK, the US and Russia.  As a chamber musician Aisling has played with the whole spectrum of string and wind instruments, as an accompanist to singers, and as a harpsichordist in baroque ensembles.

Aisling’s teaching career began at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in Dublin in 1977 following her gaining the FTCL at the age of 16.  She was retained as visiting teacher for third-level and post graduate studies when she moved to London in 1983.

Aisling has a flourishing private teaching practice at her home in Pinner where she lives with her husband and four children.

Aisling taught piano at St. Margaret’s Independent School for Girls, in Bushey, from 2012-2016.

Students’ Achievements

Aisling’s students have won numerous first prizes at festivals in Sevenoaks, Buckingham, St Albans, Ealing, Hatfield, Marlow, Ruislip-Northwood, Watford, North London, West London and Dublin.  Her students have performed as soloists in concerti with the Buckinghamshire Chamber Orchestra, and Watford Grammar Schools Joint Orchestra, and at the Fairfield Hall.

Two of her students won the prestigious ABRSM Sheila Mossman awards for achieving the highest marks in Grade 6 and Grade 7, and another won the Hedy King Robinson ABRSM award for Grade 6 theory.

Her students have won prizes as finalists on many occasions in the EPTA (UK) European Piano Teachers Association National Piano Competition, including two 1st Prize winners in the Advanced Category I Grade 8, and one 1st Prize winner in the Advanced Category III Diploma.  These have resulted in concert performances in London, Manchester, Birmingham, York, Canterbury, Warwick and the Fairfield Hall in Croydon.

Several of Aisling’s students have obtained their teaching diplomas and now teach piano.

Aisling’s students have also won composition awards.  These include the Frank Martin Memorial Award (twice), and first prize winner in the EPTA National Composers’ Competition (2014).

See…

First Prize in National Composers’ Competition

Top Marks in Music Theory