Born 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, with Violin Bow Technique and Violin Left Hand among the most recent titles. These have been favourably reviewed in string pedagogy journals such as The Strad, Stringendo and the American String Teacher. Fintan has edited eight books of graded violin repertoire for the Australian Music Examinations Board and published peer reviewed articles in the British, the Australian and the International Journals of Music Education.
Fintan is the Chair of the Specialist Examining Panel for Strings for the Australian Music Examination Board and is currently rewriting the A.Mus.A and L.Mus.A violin series 10 syllabuses for the AMEB.
He directs the Melbourne String Ensemble, a youth orchestra specialising 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 currently teaches at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and the University of Melbourne.