After studying with Nathan Gutman in Melbourne, Fintan completed further study in Cologne with Helfried Fister, Christoph Poppen and the Amadeus quartet. He completed his Masters degree with Robert Gerle in Washington, D.C. A member of the Melbourne Symphony for many years, Fintan now performs as a recitalist and chamber musician.
Fintan’s research focuses on string pedagogy and he has authored several DVDs which are now available on the websites violinbowtechnique.com and sevcikvariations.com. His DVDs Violin Bow Technique and Violin Left Hand have been favourably reviewed in journals such as The Strad, Stringendo and American String teacher. Fintan has edited eight books of graded violin repertoire for the Australian Music Examinations Board and is the Chair of the AMEB Specialist Examining Panel for Strings. He has published peer-reviewed articles in the British, Australian and International Journals of Music Education.
Fintan directs the Melbourne String Ensemble, a youth orchestra specializing in small ensemble repertoire and chamber music for strings. He has worked as a guest conductor and soloist with many youth orchestras in Europe. Fintan’s students have gone on to further study at institutions such as the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. Fintan currently teaches at Melbourne University and the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.