Billy O'Brien

Billy O’Brien enjoys an active career as solo pianist, chamber musician and teacher. He completed his undergraduate studies at the RIAM under Prof Therese Fahy, and two-years postgraduate study in Paris with Rena Shereshevskaya, where he was awarded a Prix d’Excellence in Piano and Chamber Music.

He is currently undertaking doctoral study at the RIAM with Prof Hugh Tinney and Dr John O’Conor. He has performed as concerto soloist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, RIAM Symphony Orchestra, Trinity Orchestra and Wexford Sinfonia in concertos by Ravel, Grieg, Beethoven and Gershwin; and has given solo recitals throughout Ireland, and in Spain, France, and the UK.

Billy is a member of the Alberi Piano Trio, and has collaborated with the Kirkos, Ficino and Kileena Ensembles. He won the Hibernian Orchestra Concerto Competition 2020, the Maura Dowdall Concerto Competition 2016, the Maura Teissier Piano Bursary from the RIAM, 2nd prize at the Freemason’s Young Musician of the Year, and has twice represented Ireland in the Dublin International Piano Competition. He performed in the Vigo International Piano Competition 2019 for a jury including Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire.

Billy is currently a teaching fellow at the RIAM where he enjoys teaching piano and musicianship to a range of students from beginner to pre-college level. He prepares students for concerts, practical exams and competitions. His teaching is centred around enabling students to develop as rounded musicians according to their individual talent and potential, helping them technically and musically to express deep connection with music.