Frances Kelleher

Frances Kelleher serves as Lecturer in Piano and Coach Accompanist at Munster Technological University (MTU) Cork School of Music, teaching across undergraduate and Masters programmes while simultaneously holding the position of Head of Keyboard at Ampleforth College, UK.

Her academic foundation includes an undergraduate degree from University College Cork, a full two-year postgraduate scholarship at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GSMD) where she earned the Anthony Lewis Memorial Prize in Accompaniment and Guildhall Lieder Prize, and a first-class honours MMus from the Royal Irish Academy of Music under Dr. John O'Conor.

Specializing in vocal collaboration, her career spans decades as a repetitieur for major institutions including Opera Ireland, National Chamber Choir of Ireland, Opera North (UK), and Cork Opera 2005, with additional experience as Musical Director for Oyster Opera (London). She maintains an active international performance schedule as a recitalist.

Her professional recognition includes:

• Anthony Lewis Memorial Prize in Accompaniment (Guildhall)
• Guildhall Lieder Prize

Selected by Graham Johnson for performance in his Almanac series at St. John's, Smith Square, she bridges academic instruction with professional opera coaching, mentoring students in collaborative piano techniques while contributing to Ireland's vocal music ecosystem through masterclasses and institutional partnerships.