Administration
Waltons New School of Music
‘No two people on earth are alike, and it’s got to be that way in music or it isn’t music.’
– Billie Holiday
The page includes brief biographies of the New School Director, Manager and Administrators.
Director
John founded Waltons New School of Music together with his wife Aideen Walton in September 1994. He comes from a musical family; his mother was a concert pianist and his grandfather and great-grandfather were both composers. John received his BA from Harvard University and an MPhil from Trinity College Dublin. Although ‘classically’ trained (his main instrument is viola), he has always felt that different music genres have much to offer each other. For this reason, the New School’s approach embraces musical diversity, the school offers tuition in the widest range of instruments and genres (classical music, jazz, Irish traditional and folk music, popular music and world music) of any music school in Ireland, and students are encouraged to engage with and explore music genres outside their main focus. John also founded and directs the New School’s Outreach Programme (since 2001), Music at Work Programme (since 2003) and Waltons World Masters Series (since 2003). And he is co-founder and co-director (with Aideen Walton) of the Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition (since 2012).
Read a profile of John in the Sunday Tribune.
Read an interview with John in Irish Music Magazine.
Manager
Coming from a background and training in multi-instrumental performance, Elis then transferred this knowledge to his creative practice in composition, production and sound design. He holds a BA, MA and PhD in instrumental and electronic composition from the Royal College of Music London and Trinity College Dublin respectively. And for over a decade he both lectured and supervised courses and programmes in the BA Music degree at Trinity College, as well as in both the BA and MA Music degrees at BIMM University. He applies his extensive experience of administrating these to his management role with the New School. As a composer, Elis has had his pieces played throughout Ireland and Europe by a variety of performers and groups, including the RCM Symphony Orchestra, Kirkos Ensemble, Crash Ensemble, Elizabeth Hilliard, Paul Roe, Joe O’Farrell and the RTÉ Con Tempo Quartet. He has also performed his own works alone and with others throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US. As a producer, he has over fifteen years’ experience recording and mixing both his own work and the work of others, primarily Alarmist and Halves. (The latter’s album It Goes, It Goes, Forever and Ever was nominated for 2010 Irish Choice Music Award.) In addition to his work with the New School, Elis also works as a freelance sound designer for audio-visual mediums (online platforms, installations, theatre, live events), implementing composition, foley, production and mastering, with clients including RTÉ, Algorithm and Tayto Park.
Administrator
IT Coordinator
Social Media Coordinator
John has both jazz and classical background, now with a particular focus on contemporary rock and pop. His current bass playing is informed by his childhood education in classical piano to Senior Certificate level with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, as well as jazz and orchestral double bass (for which he was awarded a scholarship by Music Generation to pursue further study). John also has experience as a composer and producer, having arranged for and directed the Trinity College Jazz Society Big Band, which he helped found. He has written, produced and record music with several bands, including Banríon, Robbie Stickland, Isaac Jones, Aoife Demille and others, and he has played at festivals nationally with several acts. He also previously worked as a piano and bass teacher. John’s studies in Engineering and Design in Trinity College and TU Dublin, coupled with experience working in a nursing home, led him to pursue work in healthcare, charity administration and data management. This line of work has given him a wide range of administrative experience, which he now applies to his role with the New School. In addition to his work as an administrator, John also teaches the school’s Introducing Ukulele for Adults course, and he is currently pursuing a diploma course, Composing and Music Production for Games, at Griffith College / Windmill Lane.
Administrator
Child Protection Officer
Tuition Assistance Coordinator
Waltons World Masters Series Coordinator
Siobhán has a diverse musical background, having studied jazz, classical singing, opera performance and interdisciplinary vocal techniques. She was awarded the Paul Brady Bursary to study Irish traditional styles of singing, including unaccompanied singing such as séan-nós. She holds a First Class Honours BA in Music and Anthropology from Maynooth University and studied opera performance for an Erasmus year at the renowned University of Oslo in Norway. More recently, she received a First Class Honours MA in Ethnomusicology from the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at the University of Limerick, where she continued her studies of Irish traditional singing, researched unaccompanied traditional singing circles in Dublin and unravelled some of the history behind traditional songs, as well as exploring Middle Eastern singing techniques. With a passion for facilitation and organising events, Siobhán has also studied administration and office management in order to engage with the larger music community. She is passionate about sharing her music knowledge with young people and advocates for equal access to music making, singing, performance and music education. In addition to her work as an Administrator, Siobhán is also our Tuition Assistance Coordinator (see our Tuition Assistance Policy page for more information) and World Masters Series Coordinator (see Waltons World Masters Series for more information), and she teaches voice with the New School.
Senior Administrator
Outreach Programme Coordinator
Although he studied law and history at college, music was Eoin’s first love and remains central to his life. He was literally born into music, and his first home was the New School, where his parents lived for its first two years in an apartment that was later converted into school classrooms, and he has studied with several teachers working with the school. Eoin achieved Grade 8 with distinction from the Associated Board (ABRSM) on piano, his main instrument, and he writes and records his own music. Recently returning to college, he is currently pursuing a BMusEd degree at Trinity College and the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Administrator
Clara’s journey has been one of evolving passions and diverse experiences. After earning her BA in New Media Studies from IADT, she immersed herself in the film industry, gaining valuable hands-on experience as a Production Assistant. Her work with Other Voices Live – particularly with productions like Home, Anam and the iconic church sessions in Dingle – has been a highlight in her career. Though her professional path led her to film, Clara’s first love was music. Having studied it extensively during her Junior and Leaving Cert. years, she also achieved ABRSM Grade 4 in singing. Now, over a decade later, Clara is rediscovering her musical roots and is on track to complete her ABRSM grades, continuing to nurture her passion for music.
a comprehensive music centre in the heart of Dublin.