Kah Mun Ong and Martina Rosaria O’Connell perform Clara and Robert Schumann, Amy Beach

Name: Kah Mun Ong and Martina Rosaria O’Connell perform Clara and Robert Schumann, Amy Beach
Start: 2025-02-23T12:45:00+00:00
Location: St. Ann's Church, Dawson Street

Schedule

Sun, 23 Feb, 2025 at 12:45 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

St. Ann's Church, Dawson Street | Dublin, DN

Clara Schumann - Three Romances, Op.22
Robert Schumann - Three Romances, Op.94
Amy Beach - Romances, Op. 23
Saint Saens: Romance, Op. 37
Lily Boulanger: Nocturne
Kah Mun Ong
Born in Malaysia, after graduated with a Bachelor’s degree, Kah Mun joined the Royal Irish Academy of Music in 2018 for a Master’s in Music Performance to continue her piano studies. She successfully completed the programme under the tutelage of Hugh Tinney.
Kah Mun’s deep interest in piano collaboration has led her appears as a regular accompanist for graded examinations, auditions, competitions and concerts. She has experience in chamber music and enjoys performing both with individuals and in chamber ensembles. Her collaborative experience has also been further enriched through work with choirs and ballets.
In Ireland, Kah Mun has participated in various collaborative performances, including the ChamberFest Dublin, the Coffee Concert Series, the Platform Concert Series, and the Music and the Collection Series at the National Museum of Ireland. In 2022, she represented Malaysia to perform at the Dublin Lunar New Year Festival.
A finalist for the ChamberFest Dublin Prize 2021, Kah Mun was also awarded a Highly Recommended distinction in the Hamilton Harty Cup at Feis Ceoil in 2022 as a soloist.
During her time in Malaysia, Kah Mun was a chorus member and performed in the International Choir Festival, earning gold and silver medals in Bangkok and Bali, respectively. She also had the honour of performing in the chorale alongside the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Benjamin Zander.
Beyond her performance career, Kah Mun is also a dedicated music teacher, preparing students for exam and competitions, while helping them to explore new ideas and musical inspirations. She has also served as a member of the audition assistant panel for part-time students at the academy.
Martina Rosaria O’Connell
Martina Rosaria O’Connell is a highly accomplished Irish-Italian flautist and music educator. She recently completed her Master’s in Flute Performance with Distinction, graduating top of her class at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Martina also holds a First-Class Honours degree in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin.
At just 12 years old, Martina was awarded a six-year music scholarship to Wesley College, Dublin. Her exceptional talent has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Trench Award, Liam Swords Award, Arts Council of Ireland's Agility Award, and Music Network’s Music Capital Scheme.
In 2023, Martina made her concerto debut with the Trinity College Orchestra, performing Mozart’s *Concerto for Flute and Harp*. In February 2024, she was a finalist in the Maura Dowdall Concerto Competition. That same year, Martina premiered her flute transcription of Mel Bonis’s *Violin Sonata in F-Sharp Minor* in April at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris and subsequently gave its Irish premiere in June at the Fête de la Musique, attended by the French Ambassador to Ireland, HE Vincent Guérend. In May 2024, she performed her transcription as part of a live concert for Europe Day, which was broadcast on RTÉ Lyric FM.
In November 2024, Martina performed as part of Sir James Galway’s 85th Birthday Celebration at the KKL Luzern, marking another milestone in her flourishing career.
She has been a scholarship student at the Galway Flute Academy under Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway since 2020 and has participated in prestigious international programs such as Camerata Ireland, the Saline Royale Academy, the Scottish International Flute Summer School, and the Grolloo Flute Sessions in the Netherlands.
Martina’s career spans solo, chamber, and orchestral performances. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Dublin Symphony Orchestra, RIAM Philharmonia, and Esker Festival Orchestra. In addition to her performance career, she teaches Musicianship in the Junior and Adult Divisions of the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She is also the Head of Education at the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival, Assistant Orchestra Manager of the Irish Baroque Orchestra, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Dublin Youth Orchestra.
Martina is deeply passionate about sharing her love of music through her performances and her work as an educator. Her dedication, artistry, and versatility reflect her commitment to inspiring others and establishing herself as a prominent voice among Ireland’s emerging musicians.