Teaching Announcements

Sheila is an enthusiastic teacher!  Her vast experience, teaching over 300 students, combined with her penchant to make those around her feel welcome and assured; Sheila's love of music is infectious. 

Sheila has taught large and small groups privately for over 30 years and for four years as an instructor for the Irish Cultural Center, Phoenix. Sheila has administered workshops, orchestrated, and participated in school performances/recitals and personal instruction; all with equal aplomb.

Sheila loves teaching music! She has been a professional violinist for 45 years, and a teacher for 30 years.   Teaching ALL Ages and All Levels, with a focus on getting students to play as soon as possible. Eextremely patient, and her students always have a great time learning. 

Specialties:  Technique, Ear Training, Bowing, Audition Prep, Arrangement, Accompaniment, Listening, and Music Performance. 

If you don't wish to take lessons with me, I plead with you that you take any lessons from anyone and JUST MAKE SURE YOU PLAY MUSIC!

 “Her powerful tone, exciting rhythmic drive and true traditional style make her one of Irish America’s finest fiddlers” – Done Meade, Irish Echo Newspaper  

At age 6, Sheila began Irish Traditional fiddle lessons with the late-great Maureen Glynn. Within a year, Sheila entered her first national fiddling competition, and four years later, she began competing internationally.

By age 17, she had accumulated 65 US National Championships and 15 World Championships. At the same time, her professional career launched with the same alacrity, as she was engaged for interviews and performances which included WBAI and WFUV Radio in New York, RTE 1 Television in Ireland, and had recorded her first group album-- all before her 15th birthday.

Owning a rare ability to play across genres, Sheila has performed with Traditional Irish, Folk, Rock, R&B, Reggae, Celtic Rock and Jazz ensembles. Some notable live music collaborations include, Levon Helm and Stephen Stills, as well as "Ashling", "Subterranean Jazz”, "Glen Road", "Rabharta" and "Ireland the Show". As well as solo performances at the Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale, Az.

Spanning 45 years of professional musicianship, Sheila's successful performances range from small local bars to concert halls, music festivals and theater productions. Her talent and drive carried her to appearances throughout the United States, Canada, and Ireland.

Sheila toured with Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance" as an onstage Violinist throughout U.S and Canada, with extended dates in Biloxi, MS, and Las Vegas.  

She was also featured in several theater and radio productions including the Mesa Shakespeare Company "She Stoops to Conquer" (Mesa, Az), KTAR’s “A Christmas Carol” (Phoenix Az), and Brooklyn Playhouse “Don’t Wake the Corpse” (Brooklyn, NY).

Sheila has been a successful Retail/Store Manager for:

• The String Shop - Tempe, Az: An all service/sales/rental shop for Bass, Cello, Viola, and violins
• Zeta Electric Violins – Tempe, Az: Production/service/repairs/sales for all Zeta products.
• Rene Morel’s Fine Violins – New York, NY: A specialty shop dealing in A-list clientele, high-end sales, and repairs for cello, viola, and violins.

Sheila was so friendly, and did a great job pushing me to work hard, but in a gentle, friendly way. I had a lot of fun in the lessons! I went in with no real knowledge of the fiddle, and came out with a great experience. I definitely recommend her! By Erin D
_______________________________________________________________

I’ve known of Sheila Maguire for 7-8 years and often traveled to various locations to hear her play. She is probably the best fiddler I’ve seen and I’m sure she would impress any potential employer with her skills resulting from a lifetime passion of playing the violin.

I play guitar in a band at the Irish Cultural Center and often hear my band mates who play fiddle of what a fantastic teacher Sheila is. I recently received a fiddle for Christmas and scheduled lessons with Sheila. Being a beginner, I stressed a little over showing improvements in every lesson. To this point, Sheila has provided a very calm, productive learning environment that fosters learning, student focus, and fun. At the same time, you know Sheila takes lessons seriously and expects to see improvement in every learning session. She has instructional videos on-line and often takes the time to write out each note of a song to help me learn the tunes.
I would recommend Sheila for teaching children as she has the patience and calm demeanor needed for success. - John Heeley
___________________________________________________
My Name is Katie and I am a Violin Student of Sheila Maguire. I am really honored to be taught by Sheila. She is Attentive, kind, encouraging and very knowledgeable. She brings her own experience to the table along with her wonderful teaching style. I have learned a lot form Sheila in just a short amount of time. I appreciate how she explains and shows you how to play the violin. She also knows this instrument top to bottom and she taught me how to tune. She is wonderful at sharing her knowledge and encouraging her students. - Katie Beauchamp
__________________________________________________________
I have known Sheila Maguire for almost three years in her capacity as a violin teacher at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix, where both I and my children are music students. Sheila has been teaching fiddle to my son (aged ten) for the past two years. As well as being technically excellent, I’ve been impressed at how dedicated she is to her students, frequently giving extra time, making demonstration videos, and inspiring a love of music. She is pleasant, patient and reliable. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to anybody. - Marianne Gallagher
____________________________________________________________
I have known of Sheila Maguire by reputation and hearing her perform for a number of years as a student at the Irish cultural Center in Phoenix. It became a great pleasure for me to finally begin taking fiddle lessons from her this term at the Irish Cultural Center. I thoroughly enjoy her class and am most appreciative of her skill as a teacher. She is firm in her knowledge and equally firm in her presentation of it. Sheila does not mince words but gets to the point and backs it up with personal experience, professional experience, and illustrative stories. I am a challenged fiddle player with much more desire than talent. Sheila makes me feel that I can be more. She zeros right in on my shortcomings and strongly suggests what I need to do to move beyond them. She is nurturing, encouraging, and personally interested in her students’ success. She is one of those rare individuals who not only can do; she is one who is a talented and focused tutor, mentor, and an advocate for her students. It is a true joy to finally be one of her students. - Keith Paul, Architect

_________________________________________________

I have worked with Sheila on a number of facets, two of which include putting bands together and being her student.
Though I have studied violin for nearly 30 years, my education is ongoing. Sheila has been invaluable to me in that respect. I have received a more well-rounded education from her, both as a teacher and colleague than I ever have in my prior studies.
Sheila has a valuable and unique skill set that would not only be a tremendous asset to any school, but to students looking to greatly expand their repertoire.
She is a musician's musician. She understands that being a professional involves more than just playing an instrument well. I have sent several people her way, and I would recommend her without hesitation. - Stephanie Hershey

_________________________________________________

I have been taking fiddle lessons from Sheila Maguire at the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center for about four years. She is an excellent violinist, teacher and person. I have heard her referred to as one of the best Irish fiddlers in the United States. I agree.
Anyone who is fortunate enough to take her lessons are getting a treat. She is great with children and adults. Her patience and ability to deal with many different people and the sometimes horrible sounds that can emit from a learning violinist makes her a wonderful teacher.
Sheila goes out of her way for her students by recording her music, helping with techniques, and putting her tunes and tips on the internet for study. I have had many music teachers and she is the best. She inspires a love of music and makes it fun. - Rhonda Fisher

"Is learning by ear that difficult?"  - No.  Learning by ear is like learning by any other method.