The Royal Irish Academy of Music was pleased to host the second annual RIAM Student Achievement Award, generously sponsored by Patrick W. Hurley.
This €2,500 bursary was awarded to four students who receive SUSI support and demonstrated exceptional performance in their end-of-year assessments.
The 2025 award recipients are:
- Hannah O'Shea, Violin
- Brian Murphy, Baritone
- Grace Mercer, Oboe
- Alexander Goransson, Piano
Hannah O'Shea
Hannah O'Shea is a Kerry-based violinist, currently in the second year of her undergraduate degree. A former student of Professor Diane Daly in Limerick, she currently studies with Mia Cooper. Hannah was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland for several years and served as concertmaster for the 2022–2023 season. She is a regular participant in youth music ensembles in the southern region, including Kerry Music Generation, Killaloe Chamber Music Festival, and ConCorda. In 2022, Hannah was awarded a scholarship to participate in the Neuberger Kulturtage Styrian Masterclass summer course in Austria, studying with Irish violinist Professor Maighréad McCrann. She has a particular passion for chamber music and has taken part in masterclasses with the Schumann Quartet, Pavel Haas Quartet, Belcea Quartet, and Leonkoro Quartet. In addition to classical repertoire, Hannah enjoys exploring a variety of musical styles on the violin, including Latin American, klezmer, gypsy jazz, and Irish traditional music. She currently plays a 1914 Max Möller violin on loan from the Music Instrument Fund of Ireland.
Grace Mercer
Grace Mercer is from a large musical family in Wexford. She is in her second year of the BMus degree, studying oboe with teacher Ruby Ashley. Grace has had several competition successes, including runner-up in the Wicklow Male Voice Choir bursary, Highly Commended in the McCullough Cup woodwind concerto competition, and was shortlisted to perform in Carnegie Hall following the Manhattan International Music Competition. Grace loves orchestral performing and has played with many orchestras including the RIAM Philharmonia and Wexford Sinfonia. Recently, she has begun studying baroque oboe with teacher Andreas Helm and played in the Irish Baroque Youth Orchestra over the summer.
Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy is a first-year Bachelor of Music Vocal Studies student from Cavan. He attended and studied music at St. Patrick's College, Cavan, and developed his love of singing from his mother. He is an avid fan of musical theatre and has won multiple prizes at the Wesley Interschools Music Festival.
Alexander Goransson
Swedish pianist Alexander Goransson is currently studying at the Royal Irish Academy of Music under the guidance of Anthony Byrne. He previously studied at Ingesund College of Music, where he developed his artistic and technical foundation. Throughout his studies, he has explored a wide range of repertoire, from classical to contemporary compositions. Alexander is also a recipient of the Härnösand Freemasons Grant, awarded for his dedication and musicianship. He has performed in venues such as Härnösands Church, Härnösand Concert Hall, Ingesund College of Music, and in a range of contexts at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.