Paddy Kiernan
Waltons New School of Music Faculty
5-String (Bluegrass) Banjo • 4-String (Irish Tenor) Banjo • Mandolin • Introducing 5-String Banjo
Paddy’s interest in the banjo developed out of his love of Irish traditional music, but later grew to encompass bluegrass, folk, jazz and world music. He was the first 5-string banjo player to undertake the MA program in Irish Traditional Music Performance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, where he also studied Irish traditional guitar and song. In addition, he has studied with renowned banjo players Tony Trischka and Noam Pikelny. And he was the lead participant in a 2012 masterclass at the New School taught by Béla Fleck, the world’s preeminent banjo player, for the Waltons World Masters Series. Paddy plays and records with a number of bluegrass, folk and Irish traditional acts in Ireland and the UK, including the progressive folk band Pine Marten, Persian/Irish crossover band Navá, roots/bluegrass band Lands End and the Niall Toner Band. His banjo playing has also been featured in the dance world, in works by Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre and Ballet Ireland. He has taught with the New School since 2011.
‘I love all the different facets of folk and Irish music, and I find sharing them with my students a rich and rewarding experience.’
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