Lecturer in Piano, Organ and Harpsichord

Pauline Mac Sweeney studied harpsichord and organ with Christopher Stembridge while a student at UCC from where she graduated with an honours BMus and a first class honours MA for her research into organ and harpsichord building in Ireland in the 18th century.

She continued her harpsichord studies in England and France with Michael Thomas, Maggie Cole and Kenneth Gilbert. With her partner, Michael Thomas, she gave many performances, workshops and exhibitions on his collection of historical instruments throughout England and France. From 1990 to 1998 she was the harpsichordist with the Lir Ensemble which performed in France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.

On her return to Ireland she joined the staff of the CIT Cork School of Music in 2000, as lecturer in Piano, Harpsichord and Organ. She has helped to develop Early Music in the school through her work with student Baroque Ensembles. A founding director of East Cork Early Music , she was chairperson of the festival from 2007 to 2013 and continues to be an active board and commitee member. She has organised masterclasses for her harpsichord students and chamber groups with Early Music experts such as Bob Van Aspern, Malcolm Proud, Pamela Thorby, Rachel Brown and many others. She continues to work with both 2nd and 3rd level students hoping to inspire in them a life long love of classical music.