Holly Chilton
Holly started both the accordion and piano at the age of 5 and was taught by both her parents John & Yvonne.
She had completed her Grade 8 in both instruments by the age of 14. She is currently a student of the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she is on her 4th scholarship on the accordion. She has studied under Patricia Kavanagh, Katie Kavanagh and her father John Chilton in the RIAM.
She is a member of the Castletown Accordion Orchestra and has performed with them in Prague, Innsbruck, Italy, Croatia and most recently last month in London where she also played the oboe with the Orchestra.
She has won numerous prizes for both solo and ensemble competitions and has won the ‘Concerta Recital’ at the All-Ireland Accordion Festival for the past 2 years. This is the highest award at the Festival. She has been lucky enough to have had masterclasses with Prof. Ray Keary of the RIAM as well as Ian Watson and Ksenja Sidarova.
As part of her Transition Year work experience, she worked in the Pigini Accordion Factory in Castelfidardo and she also got to sit in on a rehearsal and shadow Ian Watson as he performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.
She has been awarded 6 High Achiever Awards from the RIAM, 4 on accordion, 1 on piano and 1 on the oboe for Grade 5 which she sat after 16 months of lessons.
She took up the oboe 2 years ago and is currently studying under Conor Cavanagh. She will commence performing with the RIAM Symphony Orchestra in October after completing one year with the Intermediate Orchestra.
She hopes to study oboe at third level after completing her Leaving Certificate next year.