Blaine Mackessy 
Head of Performing Arts

Artistic Background 

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I have travelled extensively around the world as a musician with various groups and I am an in-demand session musician across the United Arab Emirates. I have performed on Irish national television and radio and have shared the stage with some of the world’s leading artists such as Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band, Gavin James, Brian Kennedy, Kodaline, The Chieftains and Michael o Suilleabhain. In 2010, I released a solo piano accordion album to critical acclaim.

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Teaching background 

 

• I have been teaching for 15 years and have held positions in Ireland, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. My qualifications include; BA Irish Music & Dance, MA Music Performance & Professional Diploma in Music Education. During my time teaching, I have worked as a university tutor of Music Theory, I have taught the Irish Junior and Leaving Certificate cycle, British GCSE, A Level, and IB PYP, MYP curricula. I am a university graduate from the esteemed Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland, and a secondary school graduate from the renowned Colaiste na Trocaire, Rathkeale Ireland.  

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Biggest achievement 

A former student recently informed me during a live event performance that I am the reason that she is now a secondary school music teacher. The most amazing surprise.  

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What made me dedicate life to teaching? 

 

I had two wonderful Music teachers from my childhood. They are the reason I am a musician and why I wanted to become a teacher. Their methods for achievement were extremely successful and now as a teacher, I bring these approaches into my practice every day.  

 

Why has the IB impacted me as a teacher? 

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Inclusion in the music classroom is crucial for student engagement and the success of the subject. Students want to feel good after performing a piece of music. The IB is a curriculum that strongly supports inclusivity by letting the teacher design unit plans that will bring the best out of each student. I am a practical teacher who teaches through performance. The IB is the perfect fit for my teaching style.  

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Most meaningful experience teaching IB? 

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 There have been many, however, during a recent songwriting lesson with students in preparation for their ePortoflio Music project, the students composed an entire song in one lesson based on a previous year's statement of inquiry and global context. After performing and recording the song, the joy amongst them when they heard the song played back is something I will never forget.