Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada Collaborative Music Project
Emsona LIVE
Harmonising Generations
The Emsona LIVE Music Collaborative
In County Offaly, a unique symphony is being composed—not just of notes, but of voices, generations, and shared heritage. The Emsona LIVE – Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada Music Collaborative, funded by the Creative Ireland Programme, exemplifies the transformative power of inclusive arts education.
This project is a holistic ecosystem, not a single event. It begins months in advance, driven by the dedicated preparation of classroom teachers and 190 students (aged 5–12). Established by Adele O’Dwyer in 2022, the Emsona music programme empowers educators to teach music fluency regardless of their prior experience. Throughout the school year, teachers utilise tailored resources to build a solid foundation of confidence and skill. This rigorous, year-long groundwork is the engine that fuels the collaborative magic to come.
The initiative converges when these prepared classrooms meet a diverse ensemble of professional musicians including the Offaly-based community choir, Le Chéile. This multi-faceted collaboration bridges the gap between educator, learner, and artist. Students transition from passive observers to active creators alongside mentors who guide them in interpreting emotion through song and instrument. The project culminates in a public performance and display of creative work on 12 June in Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Emsona LIVE proves that when teachers, students, and artists unite, music becomes a universal language connecting us all.
About Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada
Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada is a primary, co-educational, Irish-medium school located in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Meath, the Catholic school is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education where all subjects are taught through the medium of Irish. The school officially opened its doors in September of 1993, expanding educational choices for families in Tullamore by offering full Irish-language immersion. The current modern school building was constructed in 2003, providing expanded facilities for the growing student body. The school gained widespread recognition by scooping first prize in the All-Ireland Primary Science Competition in 2012. The school uses an early immersion method. Children are taught through Irish, with English typically introduced as a subject in the second term of Senior Infants. It caters to roughly 200+ boys and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. The dedicated team includes class teachers, special education teachers, and a school principal.
Aoife is a singer from County Westmeath. Having graduated from TU Dublin with a Bacholor of Music, specialising in Pedagogy, and later from UCD with a Masters in Irish she is currently a member of the folk duo, We're Not Together.
Aoife has performed on all the song soundtracks of the Emsona Music Education Platform and is delighted to be part of the Emsona team where she has the opportunity to fuse music, Irish, and education.
Bogdan Şofei is a highly celebrated, Bucharest-born violinist, founding first violinist of the internationally renowned ConTempo Quartet and concertmaster of the Luminosa String Orchestra. Born in Romania, he studied at the University of Music in Bucharest and later refined his craft at the Royal Academy of Music in London, the Banff Centre in Canada, and the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía in Madrid. He also holds a Master of Arts in Music with First Class Honours from the Cork School of Music.
Bogdan became an Irish citizen in 2011 and in recognition of his massive contribution to the cultural landscape of his adopted country, he was awarded a Doctor of Music (DMus) honoris causa by the National University of Ireland, Galway.
Ms. O’Dwyer holds both BA and MA degrees in music performance and won professional orchestral posts on both sides of the Atlantic including the National Symphony of Ireland and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Having performed with the Opera Theatre Company and Dublin Film Orchestras, Adele toured and recorded with the Irish traditional band, De Danann.
As a composer, Adele is represented by the Contemporary Music Centre in Dublin and composes and arranges all performance scores and learning resources for the Emsona. As founder of the Scoil Mobhí (Dublin) instrumental music programme, Tullamore Classical Music School, and now, Emsona, Adele has played an active role in the development of youth music since 1993.
My professional musical journey began in Vilnius, Lithuania. With a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts from the Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy and many years of experience as a pianist, accompanist, and educator, I am passionate about sharing my musical knowledge and contributing to a vibrant musical community.
I worked as a piano teacher and accompanist, collaborating with choirs, instrumentalists, and vocalists across a wide range of musical settings. I actively participated in national and international concerts and competitions, gaining valuable performance experience and developing a strong understanding of collaborative musicianship.
My work as an accompanist has allowed me to support and inspire performers of varying ages and abilities, while my teaching experience has strengthened my ability to foster musical growth, confidence, and technical skill in students. I am committed to creating a positive and encouraging learning environment that nurtures both musical excellence and a lifelong appreciation for music.
In 2003, I moved to Ireland and settled in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, where I have continued to work within the professional music field. Since relocating, I have remained dedicated to performance, accompaniment, and music education, bringing both international experience and cultural diversity to my work. I value collaboration and enjoy working with students, singers, instrumentalists, and musical groups to achieve artistic and educational goals.
Andrius Kozlovskis, Director
Le Chéile is a community choir based in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland. Founded in 2007 by Musical Director, Andrius Kozlovskis, the choir possesses a broad repertoire from sacred to secular music, old standards, and popular music - with a twist! Le Chéile regularly presents musical events for the benefit of both local and national charities and collaborative music-making is at the heart of their contribution to the musical life of the locality. The choir is regularly seen teaming up to perform with a wide variety of musical talent and in many different musical styles and settings.