English born, Irene Ainstein entered the Superior School of Music in the Netherlands where she obtained excellent notes and diplomas as Soloist, Chambermusic and Accompanist. She has played in a number of ensembles and orchestras and has performed in Holland, Germany, England, Spain, Portugal and China. She has also made recordings and participated in several festivals and masterclasses in Germany, England, Italy and Holland. Irene Ainstein continues to perform in concerts with members of the Orchestra of Algarve, the violinist Michael Thomas, Edua Zadory and she is the choice accompanist for singers such as the soprano Birgit Wegemann and mezzo soprano Esther Pierweijer. She is also a key member of the Dutch Piano Quartet which performs every year in Holland and in the Algarve.

She is coordinator of Portugal at Imola Summer Festival, academia pianística Imola, where already for several years she has been member of the jury in the famous piano competition, city of Imola, and she has often been invited as member of the jury at international piano competitions.

She is teaching piano at the Conservatório Regional do Algarve Maria Campina, where she is as well Pedagogical Director.A consistent number of her pupils succeeded in well known piano competitions!