Irish Harp
The Mid-West Vocal Academy & Music School is delighted to act as the new Mid-West location for the Irish Harp Centre (from September 2016) continuing under the guidance of Janet Harbison and harp staff. Lessons will be available on Fridays and Saturdays.
Janet Harbison was born in Dublin in 1955 and came to early prominence as a classical pianist as well as a traditional Irish harp player. At Trinity College Dublin, the Dublin College of Music and Cork University, she studied performance, composition and conducting.
By 1981, she had won every national Irish harp competition including the All Ireland Championship and a number of international prizes including the Isle of Man Millennium Competition and Festival International de laHarpe Celtique.
After some years of performing world-wide and composing film music, she became involved in working with music toward peace in Northern Ireland. In 1984, she was awarded a Research Fellowship at the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen’s University where her doctoral research concerned the Irish harp in Irish life and politics in the late 18th century.
Her wish to bring the old Irish harp music to a world audience, as well as to bring musicians together in the divided community of Northern Ireland, lead to the formation of the Belfast Harp Orchestra in 1992. Over 10 years, the orchestra undertook many concert tours of Ireland, the UK, America and Europe, winning a Grammy Award with the Chieftains and many prizes for their work in Peace and Reconciliation.
In 2002, Janet moved her harp activities to the Republic of Ireland to set up the Irish Harp Centre in Limerick, close to her family roots in the beautiful countryside of the mid-west. She continues to perform, compose, write, record, teach and produce the Irish and National Harp Orchestras.
By 1981, she had won every national Irish harp competition including the All Ireland Championship and a number of international prizes including the Isle of Man Millennium Competition and Festival International de laHarpe Celtique.
After some years of performing world-wide and composing film music, she became involved in working with music toward peace in Northern Ireland. In 1984, she was awarded a Research Fellowship at the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen’s University where her doctoral research concerned the Irish harp in Irish life and politics in the late 18th century.
Her wish to bring the old Irish harp music to a world audience, as well as to bring musicians together in the divided community of Northern Ireland, lead to the formation of the Belfast Harp Orchestra in 1992. Over 10 years, the orchestra undertook many concert tours of Ireland, the UK, America and Europe, winning a Grammy Award with the Chieftains and many prizes for their work in Peace and Reconciliation.
In 2002, Janet moved her harp activities to the Republic of Ireland to set up the Irish Harp Centre in Limerick, close to her family roots in the beautiful countryside of the mid-west. She continues to perform, compose, write, record, teach and produce the Irish and National Harp Orchestras.
A COLLEGE and TRAINING SYSTEM:
- Training students of all ages, stages and abilities
- Training system with 8 Levels taught orally with Preliminary (Introductory) Levels for Adults and Juniors;
- Examinations and Certificates of Achievement
- Professional training (and placement) for Stage Performers, Background Entertainers, Teachers, Ceremonial (Weddings etc), Palliative Therapists
- Masterclasses, Workshops & Examinations in Ireland and touring worldwide
- Enabling other Harp Centres and Teaching Practises
Fees:
€20 per half hour to also include
Enquiries to July 2016 061 372777 7 - thereafter 061 358088 / 083 4659415
academy@owengihooly.com
€20 per half hour to also include
Enquiries to July 2016 061 372777 7 - thereafter 061 358088 / 083 4659415
academy@owengihooly.com
HARP TEAM
Aisling Lyons
Aisling was born and reared near Newmarket on Fergus in County Clare. From an early age, she had a fond interest in Traditional Irish Music, having come from a family steeped in Irish music and culture. John Lyons, her Father is a renowned traditional singer, brother of Tim Lyons, a great songwriter and singer, both hailing originally from County Cork. Likewise her Mother, Ann Lynch Lyons, who released her debut album a few year ago, on which Aisling features (Silvery Light, 2013).
Aisling began playing the harp at 7, then began learning the concertina at age 9. She has had some of the finest tuition this country has to offer; Noel Hill, Mary McNamara, Fionnuala Rooney to name but a few. She is now a competant performer and plays with her family, friends and individually around the country and abroad. The Lyons Family performed at The Sidmouth Folk Festival in 2013, Whitby Folk Festival 2014 & Whitby Folk Festival 2015.
Aisling recently travelled to Yass, Sydney & Canberra, Australia where she taught masterclasses and performed at The Turning Wave Festival. (2015). Aisling and her brother Sean (Uilleann Pipes), played for the Irish Ambassador in Canberra at The Irish Embassy & also at Floriade Spring Festival in Canberra for The National Folk Festival.
Aisling is the holder of 5 All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil harp titles, an All-Ireland Céilí Band title with a junior Tulla Céilí Band, whom she played the drums with, a Grúpa Ceoil title with The Burren Group under the leadership of Garry Shannon, and is the All Ireland concertina champion under18. (2014)
Some of the recordings she features on include John & Tim Lyons album, 'Easy & Bold' (2012), 'Silvery Light' (2013) & a compilation album of East Clare Young Musicians, 'Unfolding' (2014). Aisling released her debut 5 track EP (extended play) in August 2015, where it was greatly received in the UK & AUS. It is available through Custy's Music Shop, Ennis, Co.Clare. (www.custysmusic.com)
Aisling hosts an open-to-all-ages, welcoming session in Dolans Bar in Limerick City every Monday night form 7.30pm to 9.15pm. This session allows musicians, singers and dancers of all ages to participate at their own level. See www.dolans.ie/traditional-irish-music/ for details.
Aisling is currently studying for her BA in Irish Traditional Music & Dance at The Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at The University of Limerick.
www.aislinglyonsmusic.com
Aisling was born and reared near Newmarket on Fergus in County Clare. From an early age, she had a fond interest in Traditional Irish Music, having come from a family steeped in Irish music and culture. John Lyons, her Father is a renowned traditional singer, brother of Tim Lyons, a great songwriter and singer, both hailing originally from County Cork. Likewise her Mother, Ann Lynch Lyons, who released her debut album a few year ago, on which Aisling features (Silvery Light, 2013).
Aisling began playing the harp at 7, then began learning the concertina at age 9. She has had some of the finest tuition this country has to offer; Noel Hill, Mary McNamara, Fionnuala Rooney to name but a few. She is now a competant performer and plays with her family, friends and individually around the country and abroad. The Lyons Family performed at The Sidmouth Folk Festival in 2013, Whitby Folk Festival 2014 & Whitby Folk Festival 2015.
Aisling recently travelled to Yass, Sydney & Canberra, Australia where she taught masterclasses and performed at The Turning Wave Festival. (2015). Aisling and her brother Sean (Uilleann Pipes), played for the Irish Ambassador in Canberra at The Irish Embassy & also at Floriade Spring Festival in Canberra for The National Folk Festival.
Aisling is the holder of 5 All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil harp titles, an All-Ireland Céilí Band title with a junior Tulla Céilí Band, whom she played the drums with, a Grúpa Ceoil title with The Burren Group under the leadership of Garry Shannon, and is the All Ireland concertina champion under18. (2014)
Some of the recordings she features on include John & Tim Lyons album, 'Easy & Bold' (2012), 'Silvery Light' (2013) & a compilation album of East Clare Young Musicians, 'Unfolding' (2014). Aisling released her debut 5 track EP (extended play) in August 2015, where it was greatly received in the UK & AUS. It is available through Custy's Music Shop, Ennis, Co.Clare. (www.custysmusic.com)
Aisling hosts an open-to-all-ages, welcoming session in Dolans Bar in Limerick City every Monday night form 7.30pm to 9.15pm. This session allows musicians, singers and dancers of all ages to participate at their own level. See www.dolans.ie/traditional-irish-music/ for details.
Aisling is currently studying for her BA in Irish Traditional Music & Dance at The Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at The University of Limerick.
www.aislinglyonsmusic.com
