By Caoimhe O’Brien
I started Music Mad while I was studying for my BA (Hons) in Music and Economics in UCC. The idea was to make singing lessons more engaging and informative for people, but still keep them fun and relaxed. Growing up around Cork’s music scene, I saw how powerful it is when people come together to make music. We’ve such a strong musical culture here, and I’ve always wanted to encourage more people to get involved. After a few years teaching, word of mouth spread, and Music Mad became what it is today, a studio where people of all ages can come to learn, laugh, and make music together. It’s been amazing to see how it’s grown from just me and my piano in my front room and a few students a week to a small but vibrant community in the heart of Cork city.
The biggest thing I’ve noticed in teaching over the years is confidence — or the lack of it! So many people have been told they “can’t sing,” but honestly, I’ve never met anyone who couldn’t. Once students start working on vocal warm-ups and simple techniques, they’re usually blown away by the difference. Most of them end up saying they wish they’d started lessons years ago! We offer 1:1 Vocal Coaching and Guitar Lessons for people of all ages and levels. There’s always something new to learn, and we try to keep things light, friendly, and personal. We’ve built a really lovely community of students, and genuine friendships have come from it too.
I absolutely love living and working in Cork, and it’s a real privilege to share my passion for music with people here. One of my favourite times of the year is our Christmas Show in St. Peter’s, which takes place on the 17th of December. It’s a brilliant night where students get to perform, learn from each other, and raise money for local charities. I’ve students stepping on stage for the first time singing alongside others who’ve been performing for forty years. It’s always such a special mix, and I’m already so excited for this year’s show!
What I love most about teaching is seeing the confidence grow in people, whether it’s someone getting up to sing for the first time or nailing a tricky piece they’ve been working on for weeks. We’ve also started running new workshops recently, to give students more ways to explore and showcase their progress, which has been really exciting. New students come into my studio unsure about their abilities but after a warm welcome, a chat about what they’d like to achieve, and a few easy vocal or guitar exercises to get warmed up, most people leave feeling a lot more confident than they expected. My approach is all about confidence first. I honestly believe absolutely anyone can sing once they learn how to use their voice properly. The technical side is important, but feeling comfortable and supported is what truly helps students grow.
