Born in Dublin, Principal Director of the Piano Academy of Ireland, Rhona Gouldson commenced her piano studies at age six at the Dublin College of Music (now the DUT Conservatory of Music and Drama) with teachers Mairead Hurley, Dr. Mary Lennon and Mr. Frank Heneghan for piano, Nancy Calthorpe for Harp and Dr. Joseph Groocock for Keyboard Harmony. She was on continuous scholarship there during all her years at the Conservatory. A regular Feis Ceoil & Fr. Mathew Feis prizewinner, Rhona has enjoyed performing and collaborating nationally with fellow musicians as well as vast accompanying for Festivals & ABRSM exams. She earned the Peter Killian medal for the highest placed Leaving Certificate Music in Ireland that year, and upon entry to Trinity College Dublin, was awarded the Taylor Exhibition, a two-year Scholarship for achieving a perfect aural test score - the first time in the history of the University & the best entrance exam amongst the 400 applicants that year. Rhona was subsequently invited back to Trinity College Dublin, to lead the aural training in the Masters in Multi media.

Following her instinct to share the musical knowledge – along with the joy & spiritual growth which music can bring about, Rhona soon discovered her gift for teaching and thoroughly enjoys working with all ages, levels and abilities. She has been employed by the Leeson Park School of Music, where she was also Head of Piano and by the DIT Conservatory of Music on a number of occasions. Rhona’s approach to learning incorporates all the senses simultaneously, the focus is on unveiling the composer’s true intentions, firstly by helping students to break down the music into manageable chunks, finding a way to physically play with ease, teaching them efficiency in their own practise, while instilling a love & appreciation of great music and a confidence in her students. Rhona has a Licentiate Diploma from Trinity College London and is a member of EPTA Ireland & MTNA, USA. A highly sought after teacher, her students are frequent competition prizewinners and exam high-achiever award winners.

With a proud passion for the piano and for music education, she founded the Piano Academy of Ireland (formerly Rathgar Piano) in 2006, aiming to ‘Discover the Musician Within’ and featured on RTE’s Nationwide. Along with founding a National Piano Festival in 2008 – a performance space for all ages and levels, aimed at celebrating the piano, together with her husband, Dr. Archie Chen, they then went on to found the Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy in 2013 - a 10-day programme, including a concert series, filling the need for a quality holistic programme of learning, with an esteemed international faculty of teachers & performers, fostering excellence in aspiring young pianists from around the world.