Piano Academy of Ireland

Piano Academy of Ireland Piano Academy of Ireland 🎹 Expert piano lessons in Dublin for all ages & abilities since 2006. Beginner to advanced, children to adults. Online & in-person.

RIAM & ABRSM exam prep. pianoacademy.ie In 2004, Rhona Gouldson left the corporate world of teaching piano and went freelance, wanting to, in her own unique way, give people of all ages, levels and abilities a chance to play and enjoy the piano. To keep up with the demands of wanting students, two new teachers came on board in 2006 and so 'Rathgar Piano' evolved. Now known as Dublin Piano Academy,

Rhona now jointly runs the School with her husband, American pianist Dr. Archie Chen.

“Over the years we have also acquired some students of tremendous talent and we have expert teaching staff that are qualified to take them to a very high level. In recent years, students here have garnered prizes from Feis Ceoil, New Park Music Festival, Kilcoole Music Festival and many more. Diploma students have been very successful in earning their Diploma qualification while studying at The Piano Academy of Ireland, enabling them to go on and pursue a career in Music themselves.”

The mission of the IPAI is to advance classical piano music worldwide by providing access to virtual & in-person, specialised piano-related education for people of all ages & abilities. Our goal is to help our students achieve their fullest potential as artists, thinkers and collaborators, while playing the piano with confidence and enjoyment. We provide musical education and professional training at the highest international level for performers within an environment that stimulates innovation and research. Our core mission — To transform our students artistically, intellectually, professionally, and individually. Our focus— Our students, who we prepare for a lifetime of achievement and success through an innovative and unique learning experience. Our passion — Piano, of course! At IPAI, the piano and its positive impact on society drive everything that we do. We share that passion with all our students, and we believe everyone has the right to enjoy and excel at music.

“Discover, Promote, Reach, Teach & Send!”

Dr. Archie Chen & Rhona Gouldson-Chen
Directors

🎉Twenty one years of educating the next generation of pianists, of ambition, and community - all in one unforgettable ev...
16/08/2026

🎉Twenty one years of educating the next generation of pianists, of ambition, and community - all in one unforgettable evening.

This Summer, the Piano Academy of Ireland took the stage at the National Concert Hall for "Emerald Keys: Legends, Laureates & Rising Stars," celebrating 21 years of music, resilience, and community.

How do you represent 21 years in one evening? We could have filled the stage multiple times with who's shaped this journey - while for the purpose of this one-time event, we narrowed it down to this hand-picked group. The magic was in the mix: alongside Archie and Rhona performing solo and together, this lot of exceptional students, faculty & artist pianists played their hearts out 💗💗💗
🎶Lance Coburn
🎶Lina Butorina Kiva
🎶Tetyana Vlasyuk
🎶Anna Siampani
🎶Joe O’ Grady
🎶Maeve Ashamar-Hora
🎶Peilin Oisín Pu
🎶Evelyne Foran

Joined by so many people who've shaped the Academy's story - teachers, alumni, and friends who travelled from across Ireland and beyond to be in that room with us.

We're still grateful, still a little emotional, and so glad, in the middle of moving our operations (Yes! We've moved to Dundrum!) we got to celebrate this milestone.

To everyone who has been part of this journey: Thank you! 🫶
- Rhona & Archie

🌸 Flowers sponsored by Kado Flowers
📸 Photography by Sheba Chen

A weekly piano lesson can teach far more than where middle C is hiding.At the Piano Academy of Ireland, children build c...
31/07/2026

A weekly piano lesson can teach far more than where middle C is hiding.

At the Piano Academy of Ireland, children build confidence, concentration and musicianship, while also discovering that “I didn’t practise” is not, technically, a musical term.

September places are now available at our Holy Cross, Dundrum location. Give your child more than a weekly lesson and help them begin a lifelong relationship with music.

Learn more or book a Piano Discovery Lesson at www.pianoacademy.ie or call 01 497 2333.

Every expert was once a beginner. And every grade starts with a single lesson. 🎹📜✨At the Piano Academy of Ireland, we ta...
02/07/2026

Every expert was once a beginner. And every grade starts with a single lesson. 🎹📜✨

At the Piano Academy of Ireland, we take our students all the way from their very first steps at the keys, through to formally recognised qualifications with ABRSM and RIAM graded examinations.

Our structured curriculum is designed to build two things in equal measure:

🎯 Technical skill - the precision, control, and mastery that examiners look for.

🎶 Genuine musicality - the feeling, expression, and artistry that makes a performance truly memorable.

Because passing a grade is one thing. Playing with soul is another. At the Piano Academy of Ireland, we nurture both. 💛
Whether your child is preparing for their first grade or pushing toward the highest levels our expert faculty will guide every step of that journey with care, expertise, and genuine passion.

Formal recognition starts here. 🌟🎼

💛 👉 Begin the journey at www.pianoacademy.ie

30/06/2026

Throwback to a moment that still gives us chills. 🎹✨

This is Dean Fahy age 10 performing live at the Piano Academy of Ireland Summer Concert 2014 at the stunning Christ Church, Rathgar. On a Steinway Model B. In front of a live audience. At ten years old. 🌟
Let that sink in for a moment.

The poise. The preparation. The sheer courage it takes to sit down at a concert grand in a beautiful historic church and simply play with everything you have. Dean had all of it. 👏🎼
This is what the Piano Academy of Ireland has been doing for students for nearly two decades. Creating moments like this one. Moments that families remember forever. Moments that shape young people in ways that go far beyond music.

Wherever Dean is today we hope the piano is still part of his life. Because once music gets into your soul, it never really leaves. 💛🧡

Tag someone who needs to see what a 10-year-old can do. 👇

🎹 Live at Christ Church, Rathgar Summer Concert 2014 🎹 Piano: Steinway Model B, Pianos Plus 👩‍🏫 Piano Teacher: Rhona Gouldson 🎙️ Recording: Nicolas Ders 📩 [email protected]

💛 👉 Create your own unforgettable moment at www.pianoacademy.ie

Behind every great school is a team that truly cares. 🎹💛Swipe to meet the heart of the Piano Academy of Ireland 👉The Pia...
29/06/2026

Behind every great school is a team that truly cares. 🎹💛

Swipe to meet the heart of the Piano Academy of Ireland 👉
The Piano Academy is not just a place to learn piano. It is a community built on warmth, passion, excellence, and a genuine love for music and for the people who make it.

Our directors and faculty don't just lead this Academy; they live it. Every recital, every event, every lesson reflects the dedication and joy they bring to everything they do.

When you join the Piano Academy of Ireland, you are not just enrolling in a school. You are becoming part of a family that will celebrate every note you play, every milestone you reach, and every performance that takes your breath away. 🌟🎼

This is who we are. And we would love to welcome you.

💛 👉 Become part of our community at www.pianoacademy.ie

🎹 THREE DAYS TO GO! 🎹➡️ https://www.nch.ie/all-events-listing/emerald-keys-jun26/Twenty-one years ago, we founded the Pi...
24/06/2026

🎹 THREE DAYS TO GO! 🎹
➡️ https://www.nch.ie/all-events-listing/emerald-keys-jun26/

Twenty-one years ago, we founded the Piano Academy of Ireland with a shared belief: that students deserved genuine teaching, real musical ambition, and a community that would support them from their very first notes onward.

We had a vision, a lot of determination, and probably fewer administrative systems than would now be considered advisable.

Two decades later, the Academy has become far more than we could have imagined — a community of students, families, teachers, alumni and friends connected by music.

This past year has been the most personally challenging of our lives, which makes Saturday’s celebration especially meaningful.

In three days, we will take to the stage ourselves, performing solo and together, surrounded by many of the people who have shaped the Academy’s story. Some are travelling from across Ireland. One is flying home from Harvard — which rather raises the standard for anyone considering the excuse that the National Concert Hall is “a bit out of the way.”

We are deeply grateful, slightly emotional, and probably about to practise everything one more time.

We cannot wait to celebrate 20 years of music, resilience, friendship and community with you on Saturday. ❤️🎶

— Rhona & Archie

Happy Friday! Relax, unwind and play some piano. What song will you play to start your weekend? 🎹
20/06/2026

Happy Friday! Relax, unwind and play some piano. What song will you play to start your weekend? 🎹

From the practice room to the stage this is their moment. 🏆🎹✨Swipe to see our incredible young musicians in action 👉Thes...
16/06/2026

From the practice room to the stage this is their moment. 🏆🎹✨
Swipe to see our incredible young musicians in action 👉

These are not just competition moments. They are life moments. Moments that build character, courage, and a belief in what is possible when you put your heart into something.

At the Piano Academy of Ireland, we prepare every student not just to play, but to perform, to compete, and to shine. 🌟

Could your child experience this too?

💛 👉 Register for lessons at www.pianoacademy.ie

Address

Main Street, Dundrum Dundrum Parish Pastoral Centre Dublin 14, D14K 820
Dundrum
D14K820

Opening Hours

Wednesday 6pm - 8pm
Thursday 12pm - 2pm

Telephone

+35314972333

Website

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