Owen Gilhooly - Tenor/Director
© Frances Marshall Photography
Owen Gilhooly is a Professor of Singing at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
He studied with Jean Holmes at the Limerick School of Music and subsequently at the Royal College of Music and National Opera Studio. He made his Royal Opera House debut singing Faure Requiem for the Royal Ballet and represented Ireland at the 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.
He has appeared in principal roles with Opera Ireland, Opera Theatre Company, English Touring Opera, Lyric Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North, The Opera Group and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He has made frequent appearances at Wexford Festival Opera, Lismore Music Festival, Buxton Festival Opera, Les Azuriales Opera & Musikverkstatt Wien.
In concert he has appeared with the RTÉ NSO, IBO, Irish Chamber and Ulster Orchestras, the Bournemouth and Tokyo Symphony Orchestras, the Royal Liverpool and London Philharmonic Orchestras as well as the BBC Symphony Orchestra including Bill Bobstay (HMS Pinafore) and Janacek's Osud at the BBC Proms.
In 2014 made his debut for the Royal Opera, Covent Garden singing the role of Robert in the world premiere of Luke Bedford’s ‘Through his Teeth’
Recent and future plans include Jenkins The Armed Man RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Mozart Requiem Culwick Choral Society, Lensky Eugene Onegin, A Nations Song 1916-2016, Military Bands of the Defence Forces, Gaston La Traviata, Britten St Nicholas with Tallaght Choral Society, A Recital of Dvorak and Brahms Lieder with Irish Songmakers at the NCH in 2018 as well the world premiere production of the new opera The Nightingale and the Rose.
www.owengilhooly.com
www.riam.ie/owen-gilhooly/
Louise Harrison - Mezzo - Soprano
Louise studied with Jean Holmes and Dr Veronica Dunne. She graduated with distinction in vocal performance from Trinity College London (A.T.C.L and L.T.C.L), has a Masters in Ethnomusicology and a BA in Music and English. While studying, Louise worked as a Bunratty Castle Entertainer, set up her own wedding business as a ceremony soloist throughout Ireland, recorded and toured the USA, Europe, the UK and Ireland with Anúna.
Since receiving an MA in Journalism, she now combines writing as a freelance Journalist with teaching voice in Mary Immaculate College ,The Redemptorist Centre of Music & the MWVA.
Tríona Walsh - Soprano
Triona Walsh is a Limerick born Soprano who moved to Perth in Western Australia with her family as a child. Tríona is a graduate of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) where she studied Classical Vocal Performance with Janice Taylor-Warne and Meghan Sutton. After graduation, she went on to study with Molly McGurk and Anthea Moller.
She has featured in recital, operatic productions and as concert soloist and chorus member for organizations including Art Song Perth, Opera Ireland, The Australian Opera Studio. She has also been a member of several professional vocal ensembles including Summa Musica, Ensemble Veritas, ENEKSIS Ensemble and The West Australian Symphony Orchestra Chorus.
In 2009 Triona completed her Graduate Diploma of Education (Music) at the University of Western Australia. She received the ‘Blue Family Trust Prize in Education’ which was awarded to the top student of the Teaching Practice elements of the course.
Since returning to her native Limerick, Tríona has been an ensemble member of ‘Opera Workshop’. In 2019, as part of Opera Workshop’s production Abandoned, Tríona created the role of ‘Woman One’ in Fiona Linnane’s chamber opera, Off Tuskar. She has also appeared in The Countess’ Salon at No 1 Pery Square, Opera, What the Fuss? At the Irish World Music Academy and the touring show The Trouble with Virtue. Tríona also collaborated with Hands in Harmony Deaf Community Choir in 2019. In 2020, Tríona participated in an Arts Council funded ‘Research and Development’ project entitled ‘No 2 Pery Square’. A collaborative project between the Opera Workshop Ensemble and composer Fiona Linnane. Due to restrictions and complications relating to COVID19, the project made a dramatic and exciting pivot, reinventing itself as an Operatic short film.
www.trionawalshsoprano.com
Susan Ní Cholmain - Traditional Irish Singing & Concertina
Susan Coleman is a traditional singer and musician from Co. Donegal, Ireland. Growing up, her interest in music and song was fostered by both sides of the family, learning music from her mother’s side, the Harper family, and song from her father’s side, the Colemans.
Following in her family’s footsteps, Susan has gained wide recognition through competition and has won numerous awards at county, provincial and All-Ireland level Fleadhanna for solo, trio, group and céilí band competitions.
Susan has been awarded the Comhaltas TTCT honours advanced grade teaching certificate and has recently qualified with a first class honours BA in Irish Music & Dance from the University of Limerick. An aspiring secondary school teacher, she is due to begin her Masters of Education from the University of Limerick in September 2020.
Following in her family’s footsteps, Susan has gained wide recognition through competition and has won numerous awards at county, provincial and All-Ireland level Fleadhanna for solo, trio, group and céilí band competitions.
Susan has been awarded the Comhaltas TTCT honours advanced grade teaching certificate and has recently qualified with a first class honours BA in Irish Music & Dance from the University of Limerick. An aspiring secondary school teacher, she is due to begin her Masters of Education from the University of Limerick in September 2020.
Irina Dernova - Piano /Accompanist
Irina Dernova comes from Russia, where she studied in Vyatka College of Arts and Nizhny Novgorod Glinka State Conservatoire. Since 2006 Irina has been based in Ireland and continues her musical career as a piano teacher and accompanist at the Mid-West Vocal Academy & Music School, Limerick and at Clare Music Makers, Ennis.
Irina is Organist and Choir Mistress of Saint Michael's Church, Limerick and continues her studies with Bernadette Kiely. Highlights include Laurisden's Lux Aeterna with Limerick Chamber Choir at Glenstal Abbey.
Irina is an Official Accompanist of the annual Feile Luimni Festival since 2007 and was appointed Resident Accompanist of Limerick Choral Festival for the last three years.
Irina performs regularly in recitals, enjoying both accompanying and playing solo on piano and organ. Irina gave a number of performances at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Lunchtime Recital’s Series, MIC Recital Series and many concerts in different venues in Limerick, and Clare. Also, through the years Irina has worked in collaboration with many International soloists including Owen Gilhooly (MIC Lunchtime Series 2020) and Majella Cullagh as part of 175th Celebratory Concert for Saint Michael's Church.
Since it’s inception in 2017, Irina has been Resident Accompanist of Limerick Opera Workshop, directed by Shirley Keane, a new initiative for young singers pursuing their professional interest in opera and stage performance. In the recent production Abandoned Irina was a collaborative pianist for the world premiere of the opera by the Limerick composer Fiona Linnane, Off Tuskar, as well as Fiona’s The Bay of Fundy with soprano Sarah Dolan. Irina also joined Opera Workshop in 2019 for a collaboration with Hands in Harmony Community Choir, resulting in the production of short film and completed a tour of The Trouble with Virtue with the Opera Workshop Ensemble.
Meagan Haughian - Piano, Guitar, Flute, Whistle, Uileann Pipes, Cór Gaelach, Ukulele
Meaghan Haughian is a flute player, piper, singer, and multi-instrumentalist from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
After receiving Bachelor of Music (Music Education) and Bachelor of Education degrees in 2011, she taught band, choir, and guitar in the Saskatchewan school system.
She has also been involved in Irish music, singing in both English and Irish and playing flute, whistle, and uilleann pipes.
In 2018 she received her MA in Ethnomusicology from the University of Limerick, and as part of her thesis she directed the cór Gaelach (Irish language choir) “Cór Cois Sionna” while studying the uilleann pipes and participating in as many sessions as possible. She currently teaches music in Limerick and Clare.
Meaghan Haughian is a flute player, piper, singer, and multi-instrumentalist from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
After receiving Bachelor of Music (Music Education) and Bachelor of Education degrees in 2011, she taught band, choir, and guitar in the Saskatchewan school system.
She has also been involved in Irish music, singing in both English and Irish and playing flute, whistle, and uilleann pipes.
In 2018 she received her MA in Ethnomusicology from the University of Limerick, and as part of her thesis she directed the cór Gaelach (Irish language choir) “Cór Cois Sionna” while studying the uilleann pipes and participating in as many sessions as possible. She currently teaches music in Limerick and Clare.
Thomas McShane - Violin, Viola, Fiddle
Thomas McShane is a professional violin/viola teacher based in Limerick, Ireland. He currently freelances with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra & National Symphony, and enjoys playing chamber music with colleagues and impromptu ensembles. Following studies at Oberlin Conservatory & Indiana University, he concertized with various symphonies across the United States, including the Terre Haute, Columbus, Carmel, and Asheville Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Brevard Philharmonic.
Much of his career has centered on teaching & developing young musicians. After two years working with high-functioning autistic students in the Massachussetts and Indiana school systems, he went on to coach young violists in the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra (North Carolina, U.S.A.). He has taught strings, chamber groups, & youth orchestra ensembles for a variety of international youth programs in the U.S.A., Panama, & the West Bank (Palestine). Since moving to Ireland, he served on the teaching faculties of music schools in Ennis & Gort, and continues to enjoy exploration of Irish Traditional music styles and the Irish Language.
Mr. McShane’s teaching method combines the techniques of world-class pedagogues Shinichi Suzuki, Mimi Zwieg, and Joanne Erwin. He strives to create a relaxed environment in which students learn from examples, games, and thoughtful repetition. He welcomes students of all ages & ability levels.
Michelle O Connor - Violin, Viola, Fiddle, Ukulele, Voice (Online Only)
Currently based in Limerick, Ireland, Michelle L O’Connor (Levy)
has been performing on and exploring the possibilities of bowed string instruments for over 27 years. Ms. O’Connor studied medieval vielle with Shira Kammen, earned a Masters in Ritual Chant & Song from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (University of Limerick), and studied music at Brown University. She has performed internationally with an eclectic variety of ensembles, including Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XXI, Keltia Productions, and The Boston Camerata, and Class V Music, an ensemble dedicated to creating music on whitewater rafting trips. She’s been a featured performer at the Vancouver Early Music Festival (2013) with Sequentia & The Elaine Adair Ensemble as well as at the Connecticut Early Music Festival (2010) with Istanpitta Early Music Ensemble, and at the New England Folk Festival2013 (NEFFA) with her folk dance band, TriTonic. In Ireland, she performs with the Limerick Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of Limerick Orchestra, and teaches violin and viola at Redemptorist Centre of Music. During the summer, she enjoys playing fiddle for American contra dance and English country dance camps in the United States.
TEACHING
Michelle is certified in both the Mark O’Connor String Method and the Orff-Shulwerk approach to teaching music. Specializing in Early Music, folk fiddle styles, and improvisation, she nurtures creative string players with solid technique.
has been performing on and exploring the possibilities of bowed string instruments for over 27 years. Ms. O’Connor studied medieval vielle with Shira Kammen, earned a Masters in Ritual Chant & Song from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (University of Limerick), and studied music at Brown University. She has performed internationally with an eclectic variety of ensembles, including Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XXI, Keltia Productions, and The Boston Camerata, and Class V Music, an ensemble dedicated to creating music on whitewater rafting trips. She’s been a featured performer at the Vancouver Early Music Festival (2013) with Sequentia & The Elaine Adair Ensemble as well as at the Connecticut Early Music Festival (2010) with Istanpitta Early Music Ensemble, and at the New England Folk Festival2013 (NEFFA) with her folk dance band, TriTonic. In Ireland, she performs with the Limerick Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of Limerick Orchestra, and teaches violin and viola at Redemptorist Centre of Music. During the summer, she enjoys playing fiddle for American contra dance and English country dance camps in the United States.
TEACHING
Michelle is certified in both the Mark O’Connor String Method and the Orff-Shulwerk approach to teaching music. Specializing in Early Music, folk fiddle styles, and improvisation, she nurtures creative string players with solid technique.
Patricia Vaughan - Violin
Details coming soon
Niamh Irwin - Flute, Recorder, Piano / Accompanist
Niamh, who is a local from Lisnagry, is an accomplished flute, recorder and piano player. Niamh has studied music both locally and internationally. During her undergraduate degree she studied in both The University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas and later in Universite Blaise Pascal, Clermont Ferrand France. Niamh subsequently graduated with a first class honours B.A. in Music and French from Mary Immaculate College where she was awarded the Award for Academic Excellence in Music and the French Embassy Award.
Locally Niamh is a member of the University of Limerick Orchestra and is the choir director of the Monaleen Parish choir. Niamh has also performed in many orchestras and choirs internationally which include the UIW chorale and cardinal singers, UIW orchestra, Orchestre d’Harmonie Clermont Ferrand and BISYOC.
Niamh is currently the music teacher and co-ordinator in Cistercian College, Roscrea after graduating from The University of Limerick with a first class honours in the Professional Masters of Education in Music.
Locally Niamh is a member of the University of Limerick Orchestra and is the choir director of the Monaleen Parish choir. Niamh has also performed in many orchestras and choirs internationally which include the UIW chorale and cardinal singers, UIW orchestra, Orchestre d’Harmonie Clermont Ferrand and BISYOC.
Niamh is currently the music teacher and co-ordinator in Cistercian College, Roscrea after graduating from The University of Limerick with a first class honours in the Professional Masters of Education in Music.
Paul O'Connor - Guitar/Electric Guitar/Ukulele
Paul O'Connor is a guitarist from Limerick who's just returned from nearly 10 years in the UAE. He taught in some of Dubai and Abu Dhabi's top international schools, while also maintaining a very active career as a freelance guitarist/band leader in the region. He also performed at such events as the F1, Emirates jazz festival, Dubai Sevens while also holding down residencies in venues like Jazz@pizzaexpress, Emirates palace and Burj al Arab to name a few.
Prior to that, Paul taught for 10 years in Limerick school of music as well as the Northside Learning Hub and various other secondary and primary schools.
He holds an ALCM electric performance diploma from the University of West London and will commence a masters degree in community music from the University of Limerick in September.
Paul specialises in rock, pop, blues and jazz on acoustic or electric guitar, with plenty of experience of teaching all ages and abilities. He looks forward to welcoming new students to the Mid-West Vocal Academy and Music School.
Fiana hails from Castleconnell, Co Limerick. She comes from a family which has been involved in Irish music for three generations and was reared in a household immersed in the Irish music tradition. Her grandmother was an instrument maker and her aunts include two all-Ireland winning harpists and an all-Ireland winning concertina player.
She began learning the piano when she was 8 years old and progressed to the harp 2 years later, after her grandmother Rita decided that she would like another harp player in the family. Fiana started learning the harp at Limerick school of music in 2000 from the renowned harper Dr. Janet Harbison and later continued lessons with her in the Irish Harp Centre when it was opened in 2002.
Fiana became heavily involved with Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann at the age of 15, where she competed through the years, right up to senior level. Her achievements include numerous All-Ireland medals as well as achieving first place in the Harp Slow Airs competition in 2012. Fiana has won numerous prizes at local harp festivals, including those in Keadue and Granard and the senior title at the O’Carolan Harp festival in Nobber, Co. Meath in 2009.
Her own students are now beginning to gain recognition through competition which includes the winning of All-Ireland medals at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as well as other local competitions. She has also given workshops both in Ireland and abroad. These include workshops for the Blossom Harp School, based between Co. Clare and Co. Galway, The Transpennine Harps society and Glasgow Harp society which are both branches of the Clársach Society.
Fiana completed her BA in Irish Music and Dance in 2012 with a First Class Honours degree at the University of Limerick. She went onto graduate from Newcastle University, UK with an Mmus in Musicology in 2013. During her studies she has had the opportunity to learn from a number of renowned teachers such as Holly Geraghty, Michelle Mulcahy, Gráinne Hambly, Laoíse Kelly, Cormac de Barra, Michael Rooney, Rachel Hair and Máire Ní Chathasaigh to name but a few.
Fiana has toured extensively in countries such as Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Cyprus and the USA as a member of the Irish Harp Orchestra. As well as giving solo concert performances, she has also collaborated with flautist Matthew Dean on whose solo album “Trasna Na Farraige” she featured. Highlights of her career to date include performing for former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, The Emperor and Empress of Japan and other state officials and dignitaries as well as performing in front of 50,000 people as part of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Trafalgar Square in London in 2014.
“Fiana completed the Comhaltas TTCT teaching Diploma in 2014 as well as their Adjudicators training course. She continues to teach and perform; bringing this wealth of experience of the tradition to her own students and audiences alike while pursuing a PhD at the University of Limerick in Music and Tourism.
