Francis Long

             I have been involved in the music business for many years. At the age  of eight I joined the Artane Boys Band, where I received a great introduction into the world of music, learning how to play the  clarinet, oboe and the bell lyre. When I left this marching band (which is compulsory at age 16) I discovered the guitar and began the next phase of my musical journey playing rock, pop and blues in various bands in Dublin. Looking for a further challenge I decided to study classical guitar in which I have earned both an Associated Board ABRSM diploma and a Licentiate LTCL diploma. Along the way I worked in different music shops, where I got the opportunity to try other instruments and ended up also learning banjo, mandolin and bodhran. I taught guitar, banjo, mandolin and music technology at Waltons New School Of Music in Dublin 2003-2017 and have also given lessons at several Dublin-area primary  schools through Waltons In-School Music Programme. I am currently teaching guitar in the Waterford Academy Of Music.