As a young player Joe recalls the excitement when a visiting band or musician from another county came to his locality and the recognition that there was an uniqueness and distinctiveness to the geographical origin of their musical sound. Because of his own East Galway musical education, past down from generation to generation, Joe was aware that he was the latest in a long line of custodians of a unique cultural tradition the lines of which have in recent years become less defined.

In order to share this unique tradition and preserve it for the future, Joe and his wife Anne Conroy-Burke run a music school in Kilnadeema, Loughrea, Co Galway. Classes run from September to May.

Accordion master classes are provided with individual and group classes available for beginners and advanced players. One-to-one tuition is available by appointment outside of the normal school schedule.

Joe and Anne are also regular teachers of master classes at various annual summer schools, such as The Willie Clancy Summer School, Co. Clare, The South Sligo Summer School, Co. Sligo, and The Joe Mooney Summer School, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim.

Lectures and talks on traditional music entitled:

• "Emigrant musicians of the twentieth century"
• "The music of East Galway"
• "The accordion in traditional music"
• "Time of change" - Traditional music mid twentieth century

For inquiries and appointments contact:

+353 91 842419 or joeburkemusic@eircom.net