Michael Connaire was born on May 12, 1985, in Dublin, Ireland. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a pianist and his mother a violinist. From a young age, Connaire showed a natural talent for music, and he began playing the piano at the age of four. Connaire's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue music seriously. He began taking piano lessons with renowned pianist and teacher, Mary O'Sullivan, at the age of six. Under her guidance, Connaire developed his skills and technique, and he quickly became a prodigious young pianist. At the age of ten, Connaire made his debut performance at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor. The performance was a huge success, and it marked the beginning of Connaire's career as a concert pianist. Over the years, Connaire continued to hone his skills and perform at various venues across Ireland and Europe. He won numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Feis Ceoil Piano Competition in Dublin, which he won three times in a row from 1998 to 2000. In 2001, Connaire was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. There, he studied under the tutelage of renowned pianist and teacher, Christopher Elton. Under Elton's guidance, Connaire continued to develop his skills and technique, and he began to gain recognition as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. In 2004, Connaire graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree with First Class Honours. He then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied under the guidance of Yoheved Kaplinsky. During his time at Juilliard, Connaire continued to perform at various venues across the United States and Europe. He won numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, which he won in 2006. After graduating from Juilliard in 2007, Connaire embarked on a successful career as a concert pianist. He has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Connaire has also collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has worked with some of the most renowned conductors of our time, including Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Barenboim, and Valery Gergiev. In addition to his career as a concert pianist, Connaire is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at some of the world's leading music schools, including the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Juilliard School in New York City. He is known for his passionate and inspiring teaching style, and he has helped to shape the careers of many young pianists. Throughout his career, Connaire has won numerous awards and accolades. In addition to his three Feis Ceoil Piano Competition wins and his Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition win, he has also won the Dublin International Piano Competition, the Leeds International Piano Competition, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Connaire's recordings have also received critical acclaim. His recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.

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