McDermott Music is founded by music education specialist Lauraine McDermott.
Lauraine is a qualified primary school teacher with a strong foundation in music, holding both a first-class honours degree in Music (Pedagogy) from TU Dublin’s Conservatory of Music and Drama and a first-class honours H.Dip in Primary Education from Hibernia College. With over a decade of experience, she has dedicated her career to nurturing and inspiring young children through both general and music education.
A native of Roscommon, now residing in Clontarf, Dublin, Lauraine began her musical journey at the age of five, learning the tin whistle and later the piano at The Coleman Traditional Irish Music Centre in Sligo. By 13, she had taken on the role of parish organist in her local church, eventually advancing to become the Choral Director. She went on to study music in TU Dublin Conservatory of Music & Drama where she received tuition in traditional Irish sean nós singing from Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaíoch, and piano from Mary Corcoran, Ciaran Coughlan, and Ryan Molloy.
Throughout her academic and professional journey, Lauraine has been recognised for her exceptional talents, receiving the Nuala Levins Pedagogy Award for outstanding academic performance. Her performance experience includes appearances at venues including The National Concert Hall, The 3 Arena, Vicar Street, and Temple Bar Trad Festival, as well as performances on RTÉ Radio 1 and Radio na Gaeltachta.
In addition to her dual degrees, Lauraine has furthered her expertise, completing specialised Kodály music education training with Dr. Lorraine O’Connell and Lucinda Geoghegan, and Levels I and II of Choral Music Education training with the Association of Irish Choirs and Choral Music Institute.
Her career includes roles as a freelance music educator with Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath and Co-ordinator of the Early Years Program with Music Generation Carlow. She taught at Loreto Primary School Dalkey, where she particularly valued working with Junior/Senior Infants and children with additional needs. Her dedication and innovative teaching led the ‘Lighthouse’ ASD class to become runners-up in the Audiology Ireland Christmas Carol Competition in 2020.
Lauraine founded McDermott Music and the Clontarf Children’s Choir in 2022, quickly gaining recognition by winning the Cóir Aon Ghutha competition at the 2024 Feis Ceoil. Under her guidance, the choir has become a nurturing environment where children can develop their musical talents, build confidence, and foster a lifelong love of music.
Lauraine’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that music education should be engaging, inclusive, and an integral part of both the local and wider community. Her dedication to both primary education and music continues to inspire and shape the lives of the many young children she teaches.