Claire BMus

Piano, Voice & Drums

Education and Achievements

Claire began her musical journey at the age of four with Irish dancing, quickly excelling to become 2nd in Ulster by the age of five and placing 4th in the World Championships at fifteen. As her love for music grew, she began learning the piano at eight, later adding drums and singing at thirteen. In her final year of high school, Claire completed Grade 8 in piano, drums and singing.

Alongside her musical training, Claire was deeply involved in amateur dramatics from the age of nine, performing annually with The Lakeland Players at the Ardhowen Theatre. At seventeen, she began teaching drums while completing her AS and A Levels.

In 2009, Claire moved to Scotland to study Music at the University of Edinburgh. Over four years, she developed her performance and teaching skills through orchestral and musical theatre work, as well as specialist projects working with schools and head trauma patients.

After graduating, Claire relocated to Glasgow, where she spent five years performing in bands across the UK while establishing her own drum school. During this time, she organised and hosted weekly open mic nights and jam sessions, recorded albums, sold out iconic venues including King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, received national radio airplay, and headlined festivals.

Following the disruption of Covid, Claire briefly returned to hospitality, gaining experience in high-pressure professional environments including superyachts and Michelin-starred Ox in Belfast. She has since returned fully to music and is excited to bring over 15 years of industry experience, passion and practical knowledge to her teaching at Presto Music Academy.