Ms Christian Caroline Keenan B. Mus, H.Dip, M.A,Mus, CT ABRSM with Pedagogy, Teacher - Assessor Music Medals ABRSM

Christian established the Keenan School of Music, Castleknock in September 2003 and has since led its ongoing growth, directing, teaching, accompanying, examining, and recruiting outstanding educators to build a thriving musical institution.

With experience dating back to 1998, Christian has taught at numerous music schools, including Maynooth School of Music (Piano and Flute), and participated in county orchestras, accompanying and instructing students for instrumental and state examinations throughout Ireland. In recent years, she has served as accompanist for Chrysallis' Montessori & Afterschools French, Christmas, and Summer concerts.

Under the tutelage of Billy Dunwoody (mentor to James Galway), Christian earned recognition and awards for her flute performances, including the honour of performing for former President McAleese at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall. She has played with orchestras in the Ulster Hall and Kings Hall, Belfast, and received guidance in piano from Mrs. Margaret Thompson, a distinguished pianist and educator at the Belfast School of Music, earning medals and certificates for competition and performance achievements. Christian diversified her musical expertise by studying saxophone at age thirteen with acclaimed jazz musician Gerry Rice, completing both Classical and Jazz exams by seventeen. After achieving her 'A' levels at Dominican College, Fortwilliam, Belfast, she was admitted to N.U.I. Maynooth for her Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in Music, subsequently pursuing a Diploma and receiving her Master’s Degree in Music from Maynooth and Queens University in 2001.

As an active member of the university orchestra, Christian performed on flute and was appointed Piccolo without formal training. Her theatrical involvement includes musicals in Belfast such as ‘Joseph’, ‘The King and I’, and ‘Calamity Jane’, as well as principal flautist roles in Dublin productions and participation in various wind orchestras. She has also contributed to Share Music through Queens University, Belfast.

Christian’s commitment to excellence and professional development led to her attainment of a Certificate of Teaching on Piano from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), presented at Wigmore Hall, London. Additionally, as a qualified Teacher-Assessor for ABRSM, Christian trained in Belfast and now offers Keenan School of Music pupils the award-winning Music Medals syllabus—making the institution the only school in Ireland with this distinction.

She remains dedicated to continuous learning, consistently updating her own music education to introduce innovative content and opportunities to the school.