About Us
Toccata House Music School was established in 1990 and is based at 43 Fair Street, Drogheda, and Drogheda Grammar School, Mornington Road, Drogheda. The school was founded by the late Olive Powderly, whose dedication, passion, and vision helped inspire generations of musicians. Following Olive’s passing in November 2024, her legacy continues through the school’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality music education.
Olive Powderly started teaching at Miss Crilly’s School of Music, Drogheda, in 1984, where she taught piano, keyboard and accordion. She taught for over 40 years, and inspired and guided countless people, teachers and students, many of whom progressed to university level and beyond in the music world.
Olive founded Toccata in 1990 with a vision: to provide high-quality music education in a supportive, enjoyable and encouraging environment, full of generosity. She believed that every child and adult should progress at their own pace, developing their musical skills and confidence while fostering a lifelong love of music.
Following Olive’s passing in November 2024, her dedication, passion and educational philosophy continue to shape Toccata. Her legacy lives on through the many students she taught and the values that remain at the heart of the school.
About Olive
Olive and her husband Obinna Nathaniel Okonkwo, who established and developed the school together with a shared passion for music.
Olive Powderly was a highly qualified musician and one of Ireland’s most respected music educators. Throughout her distinguished career, she inspired generations of students through her dedication to excellence, encouragement and lifelong love of music.
Her qualifications included:
- A.V.C.M. (Hons)
- C.T.V.C.M.
- F.V.C.M.
- B.A. (Open)
- Diploma in Humanities and Music
- Phoenix ABC TEFL Qualification
- Director of Studies
- Examiner – Victoria College of Music, UK
Obinna Nathaniel continues as Co-Owner of Toccata House Music School. He brings extensive professional expertise and holds the professional memberships MIEI and MIET, along with many other qualifications. Together with the school’s dedicated teaching team, he is committed to continuing the high standards and welcoming learning environment that Olive helped create.
Olive Powderly began her musical journey at the age of nine at Crilly School of Music in Drogheda, where she studied piano accordion under Ms. Crilly before progressing to piano and keyboard.
From an early age, Olive demonstrated exceptional musical talent. She competed in numerous accordion band championships and performed in All-Ireland Céilí Band competitions. She also won many solo accordion competitions, earning recognition for her outstanding musicianship.
Olive made history as the first student from Crilly School of Music in Drogheda to achieve an Associate Diploma in Keyboard from Victoria College of Music, UK. She went on to earn several further diplomas and professional qualifications, laying the foundation for a distinguished career as a performer, educator and founder of Toccata House Music School.
Her lifelong dedication to music and music education continues to inspire the students, teachers and wider community she influenced throughout her remarkable career.
In addition to her musical achievements, Olive Powderly earned a B.A. (Open) in Music and English through The Open University, UK, and also completed Diplomas in Humanities and Music.
Alongside her work in music education, Olive was actively involved in TEFL-qualified language schools in Dublin, where she served as Director of Studies and Academic Manager during the summer months and in other academic programmes throughout the year. Her commitment to education extended beyond music, reflecting her passion for teaching, learning and helping students achieve their full potential.
Olive Powderly was a member of Feis Ceoil Dublin and the European Piano Teachers Association. She also served as an examiner for Victoria College of Music, UK, travelling extensively on behalf of the College to examine music students and support its examination programmes.
Her involvement with these respected organisations reflected her dedication to maintaining the highest standards in music education and her commitment to nurturing musical excellence both in Ireland and internationally. Toccata maintains those memberships.
Throughout her career, Olive was dedicated to encouraging and inspiring her students, whether in music or English, to achieve the highest standards possible in their chosen fields of study. She believed in nurturing every student’s individual potential through encouragement, dedication and a lifelong love of learning, helping them to develop both confidence and excellence in their education.
Toccata House Music School has a team of fully qualified and experienced teachers offering tuition across a wide range of instruments and disciplines, including piano, keyboard, accordion, drums, flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, recorder, traditional Irish fiddle, and guitar (classical, acoustic, bass and electric), as well as ukulele and voice coaching in both musical theatre and classical singing.
The school also provides comprehensive tuition for the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Music curricula, supporting students in both practical and academic aspects of their music education.
All of our teachers are Garda Vetted and have completed TUSLA Child Protection training. Our teaching staff hold a range of professional qualifications, including Associate, Licentiate, Fellowship Diplomas, Master’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees (B.A.), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) degrees, and other recognised music teaching qualifications.
At Toccata House Music School, we are committed to helping every student achieve their full potential. Our aim is to inspire confidence, musical excellence and a lifelong love of music in a friendly, supportive and enjoyable learning environment, while encouraging each student to attain the highest standards possible.
