Presto Project Staff

Mairéad Déiseach: Music Director

Mairéad Déiseach is a mezzo-soprano who studied singing to Diploma level with Jody Beggan in the DIT Conservatory of Music. She is a Feis Ceoil prize winner for both solo and duet singing. She has sung with RTÉ Cór na nÓg, DIT Chamber Choir, DIT Choral Society, New Dublin Voices and is a regular soloist and conductor of her local church choir.  A classically trained violinist, she also enjoys playing traditional music and likewise has long loved singing traditional Irish songs. Mairéad is also co-director of the National Children's Choir along with Anne Purcell and Órla Gillan.

Mairéad has enjoyed the privilege of singing at many couples’ weddings over the past 20 years. She recognizes the significance of the day and endeavors to make the music personal and unique to the happy pair. She specializes in classical and Irish hymns but is always open to singing new repertoire! 

Mark O'Connor: guitar Tutor

A native of Ballyfermot, Mark O'Connor completed his B.A Hons Music in BIMM Dublin, where he specialised in composition for visual media, music education and guitar performance. A professional musician for the past 6 years, Mark has toured all over Ireland with various projects. In his time as a musician he’s played in some of the country's most well-known venues and festivals and recorded in some of the most famous recording studios in the country such as Temple Lane Studios and Westland Studios. Mark has extensive experience as a live performance musician as well as a recording artist, having worked with acclaimed music producers such as Lance Hogan and some of the country’s finest session guitarists such as Jimmy Smyth, Hugh Buckley and Karl Breen.

In his time studying music at college, Mark became passionate about music education; taking great inspiration from leading music educators such as Kenny Werner and Barry Green. He conducted several research projects in relation to fear, ego and their influence in music performance. His conclusions from this research and his own experience, is that most musicians have felt and still feel, that the life of a professional musician is a psychologically difficult one. Many musicians struggle with self-confidence, identity and expression, thus raising the potential for a life of anxiety and neurosis. Mark works to help ease these difficulties, by raising awareness through blogs, lectures, workshops and personal coaching sessions

In his final two years at BIMM Dublin, Mark specialised in composition for visual media. As an admirer of film music, especially the works of John Williams and Hans Zimmer, it was likely inevitable that he would be drawn towards this area of the industry. Mark has since scored music for some small independent film productions.

Danny Roe: Percussion Tutor

A hard working individual with a wealth of experience in group projects and working as part of a team. I am the percussion teacher in the Knocklyon School of Music and St. Ultans School, Cherry Orchard. In the past I have worked as percussion teacher at the Herbert Lodge Arts Centre in the Curragh Kildare. For several years I have been a visiting teacher at the St Agnes Community Music Project in Crumlin. For several years I have been balancing a career in music performance and education. This has meant playing with a large variety of groups including performing at musicals, as a solo classical performer, in orchestral situations and with small groups from percussion ensembles to brass and rock bands. Alongside private teaching and individual teaching in schools, I have conducted many group percussion workshops for schools as well as for summer projects and festivals. I have taught students for Associate Board Exams, Leaving Certificate exams and at Diploma Level. Having taught large and small groups and individuals from the age of 4 to adults of all ages, I feel comfortable teaching in all situations.

Frieda Freytag: Cello Tutor And Sectional Leader

Frieda Freytag is originally from Germany and has been playing the cello for over 25 years. She spent 12 years in German music schools studying cello, piano and music theory, during which time she spent playing and performing with youth orchestras and chamber music groups. After working as a church musician in Berlin, she came to Ireland 10 years ago and made the cello the centre of her musical career. She is performing, recording and arranging music for bands and singer-song writers as well as teaching both cello and piano to children and adult beginners. Her teaching benefits as much from her classical music education as from her vast experience in modern and pop music. Along with preparing her students for classical exams and helping them to become confident, happy players, she always encourages them to explore improvisation, composition and, most importantly, the joy of making music together.

Clare Mcevoy: Pre-instrumental and Early Years Music Tutor

Clare McEvoy is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, where she completed her BMus and MA Degrees. In 2010 Clare was awarded the International Kodály Scholarship, which enabled her to study Voice and Pedagogy at the Kodály Institute of Pedagogical Studies, Hungary. A post-graduate Scholarship from the Balassi Institute, Hungary, enabled her to continue her studies from 2011-2012. Clare has recently completed a Masters of Performance Degree (Voice) at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. As an educator, Clare has worked with DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, where she was Assistant Lecturer of Early Years. Clare has also worked as an Early Years educator with Music Generation Louth, where she compiled the curriculum of study for their Music Matters Programme. In association with MusicGeneration Louth, Clare also compiled the resource, ‘Songlines’, a collection of international folk songs and musicianship activities for children.