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Claire Bowes Founding director and piano tutor at Omagh Music Academy

Tell us a little about yourself. I am married with three children, aged 5, 9 and 11. I have always been passionate about music and am delighted to have made a career out of it. I love learning and can’t get enough of anything related to piano, piano teaching and music. I have a BA and PgDip in Music, a certPTC and an LTCL in instrumental teaching.

I love to walk and tandem cycle with my husband. In my spare time, when I get it, I love listening to audio books. Spending time at the beach is my favourite thing and we are very fortunate that we live less than musicianship, so our students learn to an hour from the coast. I am blind, but I play by ear, improvise and play chords and don’t let my sight loss hold me back. common chord progressions as well as developing the ability to read music. Who or what has most infl uenced you Our main aim is encouraging confi dence and your career? and creativity through music. I would have to say that my piano teacher and music teacher at school were probably two of my main infl uences. They encouraged Who is your all-time favourite artist and why? me to explore and make discoveries It is really hard to choose just one artist. about music. They both also made the My favourite composer is Chopin as I just piano and music extremely interesting love what he does with the piano. Josh and enjoyable. Ritter would be another favourite as when he is performing it is hard not to feel how What would you say is your greatest much he enjoys what he does. He really achievement to date? shows his audience how much he loves Making the decision to open Omagh Music the music he performs and to me this is so Academy has to be one of my greatest important. His concerts aren’t about selling achievements to date. I was very reluctant out huge venues or really elaborate stage to give up my full-time job to make it set ups but focus instead on him, his guitar happen but now, eight years on, I am so and his band. glad I did. At Omagh Music Academy we offer a variety of instrumental and singing lessons to people of all ages and abilities. What was the last CD/music download that you purchased? We teach our students the skills necessary Our recent downloads list includes to become independent learners. I feel everything from classical, folk, R’n’B, easy it is important to develop all aspects of listening and, thanks to the children, many Disney classics. I couldn’t say I have a favourite genre of music. It really depends on what mood I’m in.

What are your plans for the future? I’m not sure what the future will bring. I tend to live in the moment and enjoy what is happening currently. I would love my future to include offering support to other teachers and owners of music schools, offering advice and information as required.

Finally, what is your ISM membership to you? I am so grateful to ISM for professional development, and the support and guidance it offers to musicians. Working in this fi eld can be quite isolating and it is so good to have ISM to consult when necessary. It is particularly helpful, having ISM guidance throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. omaghmusicacademy.com @OmaghMusicAcademy