​Dr Gabriela Mayer is a pianist, pedagogue, and researcher with a passion for connecting interdisciplinary insights. She is dedicated to sharing her performance training knowledge, which is deeply rooted in the classical tradition but with a modern flair. Her focus is on an integrated approach, combining a nuanced understanding of the musical fabric within an aesthetic context, with expression and sustainable technique. As a recipient of a Fulbright Graduate Fellowship to Germany, Dr Mayer studied piano performance at the Hochschule für Musik 'Hanns Eisler' in Berlin. She also completed a Doctorate in Musical Arts at the University of Maryland in the USA, graduating with the highest honours. Since moving to Ireland, she has engaged in teaching as well as performing. Collaborators have included string and wind players from the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and colleagues from the MTU Cork School of Music such as Ruxandra Colan, Mary Hegarty, Siun Milne, Aoife Nic Athlaoich, Cian O’ Duill, Maria Ryan, Stephen Kelly, Alex Petcu, Michael McHale, Michael Joyce, Jan Cap, Sabine Ducrot and Kelley Lonergan. She has also performed with the Prizm Ensemble, Opus Pocus Trio, The Cork Wind Chamber Ensemble and with many emerging young soloists from Cork. 

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She currently holds the position of Head of Department of Keyboard Studies at the MTU Cork School of Music. She has given concerts and masterclasses at European music institutions and participates regularly in Erasmus projects, as well as conferences and seminars of the Association of European Conservatoires (AEC).  Dr Mayer is also active as an international peer reviewer. 

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Her interest in effective practice and performance preparation has led to being part of the ‘Potential to Performance’ project, a collaboration with collegues from Finland, the Netherlands, Germany and Australia. A related website was launched in March 2017. 

 

Her students have won prizes and awards in piano performance and chamber music competitions and many of the MA graduates she taught have secured professional careers and continue to be active as performers and teachers.

 

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