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Alan Costello was born in Tipperary and studied at the National University of Ireland Maynooth where he attained both a BA Mus and an MA (Performance & Musicology). Moving to Glasgow in 2008, Alan continued his studies at the RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) where he graduated with a PGDip (repetiteur) from the Opera School and was one of the first graduates on the ground-breaking Pianist for Dance postgraduate programme, delivered in partnership by Scottish Ballet and the RCS.

Since 2010 Alan has worked as staff pianist and lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), accompanist co-ordinator for Scottish Ballet’s Associate programme and regular freelance ballet and rehearsal pianist for Scottish Ballet company. He is also in constant demand as a freelance ballet musician, playing classes for the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Mathew Bourne’s New Adventures, Rambert Dance Company, National Youth Ballet of Great Britain, Northern Ballet, Michael Clarke Company, Ballet Ireland and the Royal Academy of Dance.

In 2014, Alan obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Arts Education, focusing on the pedagogical approach to music and dancewithin vocational level training and in 2016, he was appointed as programme Co-Ordinator for the MMus Piano for Dance programme at the RCS/Scottish Ballet, the only full-time postgraduate courses in the world which specialises in the training of professional dance pianists.

Alan has a keen interest in vocal and choral music, having sang in and served as conductor/artistic director of the Maynooth University Chamber Choir during this studies at NUIMaynooth.

Alan is also a renowned Irish traditional musician, having won numerous All-Ireland titles, culminating in winning the senior button accordion, duet and trio titles at the All-Ireland Fleadh in 1997. Alan has toured over the years with various Irish dance shows, including Ragús, Magic of the Dance, Gaelforce Dance and Celtic Legends and is in constant demand as a teacher, arranger and composer.