Kildare music academy offering summer camps

WITH the countdown to summer camps now running down the clock, guitarist and songwriter Steve Hulgraine has a musical camp offering in his Born to Strum Music Academy in Crookstown. 

Scheduled for the first three weeks of July, the camps are equally appropriate for those just starting out with an instrument or others looking to polish their skills, in a social space where young musicians can connect, play, and grow together.

"The camps are a fantastic opportunity for budding musicians to explore what the school has to offer," says Steve, who has recently expanded the Academy's space and tuition offerings. "Meeting up with and playing with other musicians their age, things might get a bit loud!"

The summer programme is the latest tonal shift in Steve’s own journey since he first began teaching guitar at Kilcullen Community Centre over a decade ago. 

Moving to Crookstown Craft Village in the autumn of 2024 seemed a gamble at the time for the former Kilcullen resident who had moved to Moone. "When the premises became available in Crookstown, I was a little worried that my students might not follow me, so I was delighted when pretty much all of them decided to continue."

At that time, the operation was evolving from just guitar to offering lessons on a variety of other instruments, including bass, ukulele, piano, and violin. It's a mark of success that Steve recently opened a second studio in Crookstown to cater for demand, doubling the school’s capacity with the addition of a second, state-of-the-art facility. 

The expansion is not just about space — it is also about diversity in sound. Born to Strum is now one of the few schools in the region to offer professional harp lessons, led by Margaret Lawler, who recently returned from a successful St Patrick’s Day tour across the USA.

The academy also features Margaret’s sister, Mary Lawler, whose teaching spans Irish fiddle, classical violin, and piano. 

For those looking to turn up the volume, Neil Foley, a former student of the legendary Nicky Brennan, has joined the faculty as a lead electric guitar specialist. 

“With Mary, Margaret, and Neil now on board, I’m excited for the future of the school and where we’re headed.”

Above all, it's a space where students can develop their music chops while also having fun, whether it's the traditional sounds of the harp or the modern energy of lead guitar that grabs their musical interest. 

“The goal of the school is not only to help people master the art of music, but also to build the confidence of all, both young and old, and to allow them to play music with freedom, joy, and passion,” said Steve. 

If you want to hear his work, his The Rat Track Demo on Spotify, produced with fellow lyricist and composer Cathal Rowan as The Shaking Harleys, is well worth a listen.