Irish cellist Ailbhe McDonagh is an international soloist, chamber musician and composer who performs worldwide. She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin where she currently teaches cello. ​"McDonagh plays with flawless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone" Fanfare Magazine. As a chamber musician, she performs regularly with pianists John O'Conor and Orla McDonagh, and violinist Lynda O'Connor. She is also a member of the Ficino Ensemble and the crossover traditional Irish group Trio Elatha. McDonagh is also a prolific composer with over 250 compositions and commissions to her name. Boosey&Hawkes, London published two books of her piano music entitled ‘It’s a Piano Thing’ and more recently ‘It’s a Cello Thing’, two books of her pedagogical pieces for cello. She made her orchestral composition debut with the 'Irish Isles Suite' in 2023 which was recorded by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. McDonagh's albums include 'Beethoven Complete Cello Sonatas 1-5‘ (2021, Steinway & Sons music label) with renowned pianist and Beethoven specialist John O'Conor. 'It’s a Cello Thing’ (2012 CD of the Week RTE Lyric FM) and ‘Skellig’ (2020 Irish Examiner Top Picks of the Year). In 2024 she released the album 'Bach: Complete Solo Cello Suites'. Ailbhe is pronounced AL-vah. In the Irish language the letters bh are pronounced like a v.