WHAT WE DO
At The Oliver Hurley School of Musical Theatre we give weekly classes in Dance , Singing and Drama. Delivered by highly experienced teachers the classes take place at the Institute of Technology Tralee on Friday evenings (Seniors) and throughout the day on Saturdays.
Students are divided into the following age groups:
- Juniors 6 - 9 years
- Intermediates 9 - 13 years
- Seniors 13 - 18 years
Our teaching year consists of 3 terms, with 10 weeks of classes in each term.
Each year in Spring the students present an end of year showcase in Siamsa Tire Theatre. They also participate in the annual Panto in Tralee and present a choral recital each Christmas. The main focus of the school is to train students to a high standard in a fun and positive environment.
Our Teachers
OLIVER HURLEY
Drama Teacher
Oliver Hurley began his stage career at the age of nine as a performer with Siamsa Tíre - The National Folk Theatre of Ireland. During this time, he toured extensively with the company throughout Ireland, the UK, Germany, Spain, Holland, Belgium, France, America, Canada and Australia. One of the highlights from his many performances with the company is performing at the Palace Theatre on Broadway at the tender age of 11. Other highlights include performing for the Queen of Sweden and Queen of Netherlands, Prime Minister of Israel and Australia, Expo in Brisbane, Seville and Hanover.
TV credits include Fox TV from Ford’s Theatre, Washington, RTE’S Bibi, Up for the Match, Music of Night and Sunday Night at the Olympia.
In 1985 Oliver became a full-time professional performer with Siamsa Tíre and received training in many disciplines of theatre. He had the opportunity to work with top-class professionals including Jude Kelly (Acting), Jonathan Burnett (Ballet), Anne Courtney (Contemporary Dance), Mary Nunan (Contemporary Dance), John Scott (Contemporary Dance), Michael Scott (Acting), Roberto D’Amico (Argentinian Folk Dance), Maria Pages (Flamenco), Tom Bogden (Voice), Maurice Curtin (Directing), Muiris Ó’Laoire (Folklore) and Fr Pat Ahern (Music). Oliver also studied theatre and the methodology of teaching at Wakefield College, England. Oliver lectured on the BA in Folk Theatre Studies at the Institute of Technology, Tralee from 2000 – 2006 where he delivered dance and drama. He became Artistic Director of Siamsa Tíre in 2000 and devised and directed Samhain - A Glimpse of the Otherworld; Oisín - His Legendary Journey to Tir na nÓg; & Oileán - Celebrating the Blasket Islands. He devised productions for touring school groups and spearheaded three National Tours with the company during his tenure as Artistic Director.
In 2005 Oliver established his own stage school - Oliver Hurley School of Musical Theatre – through which students from all over Kerry are trained in the disciplines of drama, dance and singing.
He has directed & choreographed many award-winning shows for Musical Societies throughout Ireland including Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pirates of Penzance, Joseph & his Technicolour Dreamcoat, 42nd Street, Me & My Girl, Copacabana, West Side Story, Ghost, Hot Mikado, Children of Eden, Sussical, Carousel, Titanic – The Musical, Beauty and the Beast, My Fair Lady, Michael Collins, All Shook Up, Sister Act, Whistle Down the Wind, Chitty, Chitty Bang, Bang, Shrek the Musical and many more.
Oliver has received fourteen nominations at the AIMS National Awards Ceremony, where he has won, the much coveted Best Director title five times and has also won Best Choreographer award for Hot Mikado. Fourteen of his productions have also been nominated for Best Overall Show with his production of Carousel with Killarney MS winning the title in 2008 and Michael Collins with Tralee MS winning the title in 2013.
In addition to his stage success, Oliver is the Operations Manager with the world-renowned Rose of Tralee International Festival.
NOELLE BARRETT
Singing Teacher
Noelle studied Opera studies and languages at The Royal Irish Academy of Music and was under the tutelage of Dr. Veronica Dunne for Five years while also studying Music Performance at DIT. Noelle’s love of opera brought her to Italy where she studied Opera, Italian Language and Culture at Centro Studi Italiano. In Italy Noelle received a scholarship to have her voice trained at the prestigious Julliard College in New York and also studied at The Manahatten School of Music. During this time Noelle performed in choral and leading roles in Operas and concerts world wide such as; Carmen, Adrianna Le Couvreur, La Nozze Di Figaro, Don Giovani, La Boheme, Samson et Dalihla, Cosi Fan Tutti, Die Zauberflote and many Opera Festival Concerts around Europe, The United States and Ireland.
In 2005 Noelle returned home to Ireland where she began teaching singing and voice lessons. She has taught singing in the Oliver Hurley School of Musical Theatre since its’ inception and has been the musical director for all it’s shows since then. Noelle has a great love for teaching and has immense passion in fostering a love of music and musical knowledge in her students while actively encouraging a feeling of confidence and respect for each other in her classes.
Noelle was choral mistress with Tralee Musical Society for its award winning show Michael Collins and was in the role of choral mistress for 3 other of their Variety shows and Oliver Twist the musical. Noelle was also Musical Director for The Spa Players for four years.
Noelle has worked with Scoil Eoin Balloonagh and Spa N.S teaching the senior syllabus music and also forming the Scoil Eoin Choir. Noelle has set up many initiatives encouraging young children and adolescents to use music and singing as a tool in their lives.
Noelle has just completed her Masters in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin, specialising in informal Pedagogy and is beginning her Doctorate in January of 2021. Noelle is currently working with the IRFU in an initiative for their injured players in which singing is used as a healing tool, an idea that Noelle promotes and uses in her teaching of singing and music. She is very excited to be returning to teaching in September with the Oliver Hurley Stage School!
HONOR HURLEY
Dance Teacher
Honor Hurley obtained a Master of Arts in Contemporary Dance with first class honours from the Irish World Music Centre at the University of Limerick and worked with Siamsa Tire as a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer for twelve years. She represented Ireland at numerous festivals worldwide and performed throughout their summer season.
She currently teaches dance in the Oliver Hurley School of Musical Theatre and has choreographed and directed numerous school musical productions around the county including Les Miserable, Mama Mia, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sister Act, Guys and Dolls and We will Rock You, to name a few. She has also worked in several Primary Schools in Kerry, teaching creative dance and assisting with their school concerts and productions.
Honor is no stranger to Strictly Come Dancing having created countless shows over the years for sports and social clubs and GAA community groups. Honor also obtained a Distinction in level 6 Inclusive Education and Training programme from The Kerry College.
Honor’s dance experience, both on and off the stage allows her to prepare her students for all types of performances.
LAURALEE CURTIN
Drama Teacher
LauraLee's qualifications include 'National Diploma in Folk Theatre Studies' in The Institute of Technology Tralee before moving to Dublin to study 'Acting Performance' in Gaiety School of Acting Dublin. She received a scholarship for her 2nd year and graduated in 2003 as student of the year. She also studied voice with both Aidan and Audrey O' Carroll and completed her grades with Royal Irish academy of Music. Lauralee also studied Montessori Teaching in Portobello College Dublin and recieved a distinction when she qualified in 2005.
Lauralee had the honour of performing in many wonderful productions throughout her acting career, She was Lady of the Manor In Killarney Manor before moving to Dublin. While in Dublin, she played the Lead of 'Linda' in the critically acclaimed 'Some Voices' at the Project Theatre Dublin. 'Mary' in 'The wedding' at the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre Dublin and 'Gwendoline' in The importance of being Ernest at the Parnell Arts Centre, Dublin. Lauralee was also Lead vocalist with the group 'Dublin City Folk' and toured Nationally and Internationally with the group. She was also featured singer on Barry Gleeson's albums 'I heard a bird at Dawn' and 'Tough Night' aswell as guest singer annually at the Frank Harte Festival Dublin.
Lauralee is also a member of Tralee Musical Society and It was Oliver Hurley who was responsible for giving her a love and passion for acting and Musical Theatre. She has played many leading roles with the Society including "Kitty" in their production of Micheal Collins and Sr. Mary Roberts" in Sister Act. She was also nominated for 2 Aims awards with the society, Best supporting actress for her role of "Lady Jacqueline" in Me and My Girl and Best Actress for her role of Mary" in The Beautiful Game.
Lauralee also is a performer with Siamsa Tíre and is the Lead Vocalist in the Annual Summer Season Production of Turas. You may have also seen her as The Fairy in many of Our Christmas Pantos. Lauralee has been teaching with Oliver Hurley School of Musical Theatre since 2008 and watching the children grow in confidence aswell as building new friendships brings her so much joy.