Gareth McLearnon

Gareth McLearnon began his flute playing career in his native Belfast, making his way through the ranks of the 39th Old Boys Flute Band, before moving to London in 1999 to attend the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Whilst still a student there Gareth recorded with the legendary flute-player, Sir James Galway and Harpist Marisa Robles for the charity CD Songs for Alexander.

He is also an active arranger of music, and is currently collaborating with Sir James on a collection of Irish Flute and Piano music for Carl Fischer Publishers, New York which is due for release later this year.

Gareth is a recipient of the 2003 Ian Fleming Charitable Trust Music Education Award, a Countess of Munster Musical Trust award and was awarded full scholarships to attend Sir James Galway’s Masterclasses in Italy (2003) and Switzerland (2004)

Gareth has given recitals all over the UK and Europe for the Ireland Funds, Invest Northern Ireland, and the Concordia Foundation, and is currently a Making Music Recommended Artist for 2006. Gareth gained a place in Southbank Sinfonia – Britain’s Professional Orchestral Academy for its 2005 season which involved being part of almost 90 concerts including fully staged opera, World Premieres, solo performances and a solo concerto. His professional Orchestral experience also includes playing in concerts and BBC TV & Radio recordings with the Ulster Orchestra, The London Pops Orchestra, Australian National Opera, he has played in West-End Shows and has toured with Nigel Kennedy.

He is a founder member of EMFEB, an exciting young orchestra resident at St. John’s-at-Hackney. Gareth is also employed by Pearl Music Europe as their Flute Specialist, and he plays on one of Pearl’s finest handmade 18K Gold Maesta instruments.