Vocal Department
Owen Gilhooly - Tenor/ Director
© Frances Marshall Photography
Owen Gilhooly 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 is currently pursing doctoral studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he was recently appointed to the vocal faculty.
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’
Having had a successful career as a high baritone, Owen’s voice has now moved into the tenor range with focus on lyric repertoire such as Macduff (Macbeth), Don Jose (Carmen), Lensky (Eugene Onegin), Cavarasdossi (Tosca).
Current 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 & the world premiere of the new opera The Nightingale and the Rose.
www.owengilhooly.com
www.riam.ie/owen-gilhooly/
Edel O Brien - Mezzo Soprano
Edel O'Brien comes from Kilrush, County Clare.
At the age of nineteen she won the Margaret Burke-Sheridan Cup at the Dublin Feis Ceoil. After graduating with an Honours Masters Degree in Music and Performance from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Edel was awarded a scholarship to study at Trinity College of Music, London. There she gained Distinction in her Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Studies as well as winning the Vocal Faculty Prize and the College Gold Medal.
While still at TCM, Edel was offered an Italian Government Scholarship to study for one academic year at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, Milan.
Having completed her studies in London she was presented with the opportunity to sing in a BBC Masterclass with the opera director David Pountney broadcast from the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. There she sang Suzuki in extracts of Madam Butterfly.
In 2002, Edel was one of seven singers selected out of 200 applicants worldwide to join the Centre de Formation Lyrique, Opera Bastille, Opera National de Paris. There she won the Prix Lyrique which is awarded annually to one male and one female at the CFL.
Edel has much experience in opera having sung various roles with the Opera Bastille, Opera Ireland, the Anna Livia International Opera Festival and Opera de Rouen. In oratorio she has sung as soloist with the Malcolm Sargent Festival Choir, Dartington Festival Choir, St. Paul's Choral Society, Hammersmith; the Culwick Choral Society, Dublin; Goethe Institut Choir, the Dublin Bach Singers, Dublin County Choir, Galway Choral Association, Limerick Choral Society, the Lismore Singers, Maynooth Choral Society, Carlow Choral Society and the RTE National Symphony Orchestra.
In recital, Edel has sung in the Church of St-Martin-in-the-Field, London; Leighton House, Kensington; the Royal Chapel, The Royal Naval College, Greenwich; the National Concert Hall, Dublin; Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin; Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Foster PLace, Dublin,
the Kate O'Brien Weekend, Limerick; Boyle Arts Festival, Co. Roscommon and the National Library of Ireland.
Edel has sung in Masterclasses for Teresa Berganza, Ileana Cotrubas, Jose Van Dam, Alexandrina Miltcheva, Robert Lloyd, Felicity Palmer and Ian Partridge.
Helen Houlihan - Soprano
Helen has enjoyed a busy career in the singing world performing regularly in concert, recital, opera and oratorio. On the concert and recital platform has performed at several of the leading Arts Festivals most notably at Belfast Festival at Queens, Galway arts festival, the Fortune theatre London, the National Concert Hall, the Bank of Ireland concert series, and John field room recital series.
She has worked with Opera Ireland, Wexford Opera, and Opera Theatre Company, and in London at the Holland Park Opera Festival. Helen has been a guest soloist with the RTE Concert orchestra on a number of occasions, both in live performance and in studio broadcast. She recorded the sound track for the Frank McGuiness play “The Carthaginians”, and has appeared as a guest soloist on several live television shows.
Helen has trained with Jean Holmes in Limerick, and in London with Paul Hamburger, James Lockhart, and David Harper.
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.
Keyboard Department
Irina Dernova - Piano / Academy Accompanist
Irina Dernova graduated in Russia as a pianist and accompanist. Since she came to Ireland in 2006 she has been the organist in St.Nicholas church (Adare) and in St. Michael's church (Limerick). Being an organ scholar at St.Mary's Cathedral, she studies with Trevor Selby at the Limerick School of Music. Irina enjoys performing as solo pianist, organist and accompanist and also teaches piano in Maoin Cheoil an Chlair (Ennis) and privately.
Michael Young - Piano / Accompaniment / Musical Theatre
Michael holds a first class honours BMus from the Cork School of Music and is a Masters graduate in Piano Accompaniment of the Cork School of Music.
He is also highly involved with musical theatre and works on many productions a year, as a musical director, chorus master or pit musician.
Michael is a founding member and musical director for New Musical Theatre, NMT Productions (When Midnight Strikes 2014). www.facebook.com/NMTProductions
Michael is an official accompanist for the Feis Maitiu, Feis Sligo, and the Feile Luimni.
Michael holds a first class honours BMus from the Cork School of Music and is a Masters graduate in Piano Accompaniment of the Cork School of Music.
He is also highly involved with musical theatre and works on many productions a year, as a musical director, chorus master or pit musician.
Michael is a founding member and musical director for New Musical Theatre, NMT Productions (When Midnight Strikes 2014). www.facebook.com/NMTProductions
Michael is an official accompanist for the Feis Maitiu, Feis Sligo, and the Feile Luimni.
Daniel Battle - Piano / Theory
Daniel Battle is the Organist in Residence at Sacred Heart Church, Limerick. Daniel was first taught piano and organ at school in Surrey by Rosemary Nayyer. He furthered his studies at the University of Wales, Bangor, where he focused on Church Music and Liturgy. During this time he was Organ Scholar at Bangor Cathedral and recorded a CD entitled Mae’r Cyfan yn Gân (The whole song) with Hogia’r Ddwylan on the Welsh record label, Sain. Upon Graduating, Daniel was appointed Organ Scholar at Southwell Minster, the Anglican Cathedral in Nottinghamshire. After Southwell, Daniel was appointed Organist at All Saints Parish Church in Carshalton, Surrey.
Daniel first came to Limerick in 2011 as the Associate Organist of St Mary’s Cathedral.
Daniel is in demand as a performer across Europe. He has performed in venues such as St Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Peterskirche, Vienna, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin and Gloucester Cathedral, as well as venues in the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium. He has also appeared on Radio and Television both here and in the UK. Broadcasts include Services on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio 4 and RTÉ Radio and Television.
Daniel Battle is the Organist in Residence at Sacred Heart Church, Limerick. Daniel was first taught piano and organ at school in Surrey by Rosemary Nayyer. He furthered his studies at the University of Wales, Bangor, where he focused on Church Music and Liturgy. During this time he was Organ Scholar at Bangor Cathedral and recorded a CD entitled Mae’r Cyfan yn Gân (The whole song) with Hogia’r Ddwylan on the Welsh record label, Sain. Upon Graduating, Daniel was appointed Organ Scholar at Southwell Minster, the Anglican Cathedral in Nottinghamshire. After Southwell, Daniel was appointed Organist at All Saints Parish Church in Carshalton, Surrey.
Daniel first came to Limerick in 2011 as the Associate Organist of St Mary’s Cathedral.
Daniel is in demand as a performer across Europe. He has performed in venues such as St Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Peterskirche, Vienna, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin and Gloucester Cathedral, as well as venues in the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium. He has also appeared on Radio and Television both here and in the UK. Broadcasts include Services on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio 4 and RTÉ Radio and Television.
String Department
Eoghan Judge - Guitar / Electric Guitar
Rachel Conlan - Violin, Concertina, Whistle
A Masters graduate from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Rachel is a very effective, gentle and experienced teacher of a number of instruments. She continues to perform nationally and travels widely on a weekly basis for her teaching practise.
A Masters graduate from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Rachel is a very effective, gentle and experienced teacher of a number of instruments. She continues to perform nationally and travels widely on a weekly basis for her teaching practise.
Alan Reid - Plucked Strings - Banjo, Mandolin, Ukelele, Bodhran
Alan Reid is from county Leitrim. Although a multi-instrumentalist he is coming to the fore as a banjo player with an unique style within Irish traditional music. Alan's playing has seen him to perform in Ireland, UK, Austria, Poland, Sweden and Canada. His recent work has included performance, recording sessions, teaching and a movie appearance!
Alan Reid is from county Leitrim. Although a multi-instrumentalist he is coming to the fore as a banjo player with an unique style within Irish traditional music. Alan's playing has seen him to perform in Ireland, UK, Austria, Poland, Sweden and Canada. His recent work has included performance, recording sessions, teaching and a movie appearance!
Kai Chung - Bass Guitar - Jazz - Theory
Kai Chung studied with Jody Fisher and Jackson Allen in Los Angeles College of Music in USAand obtained a Diploma in Guitar Performance with President's Honor.
Since then, he performed widely with a gypsy jazz band Gadjo Station at many diverse venues around Hong Kong, Macau and China, including: Weddings, Company Functions/Dinners, Charity Events, Private boat parties, Restaurants, and Bars, playing music rooted in traditional Romani, Eastern European and American
Blues/Jazz.
In 2014, he continued his studies in Ireland, where he studied composition with Ronan Guilfoyle, and guitar with Tommy Halferty.
Meanwhile, he widely performed with different groups and musicians
from Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and Argentina, playing jazz standards and original compositions.
Kai Chung also enjoys arranging for big band and developed strong interest in composition duringhis studies. He likes integrating different genres to create new style, experimenting on new soundand different ensemble setting.
After graduating with a 1st class honors BA in Jazz Performance, he
joined the Irish Composers Collective and he is currently studying a M.Phil. of Composition in Trinity College Dublin.
Besides performance and composition, Kai Chung is a member of Hong Kong Music Tutors Union.
For more than 10 years, he provided individual and group classes on rhythm, performance,ensembles, skills of accoustic guitar, electric guitar and bass guitar, aural training, sightreading, theory, reading chords symbols and lead sheet.
Musical styles include Pop, Rock, Folk, Country,Blues, Jazz, in both Hong Kong and Ireland.
Kai Chung studied with Jody Fisher and Jackson Allen in Los Angeles College of Music in USAand obtained a Diploma in Guitar Performance with President's Honor.
Since then, he performed widely with a gypsy jazz band Gadjo Station at many diverse venues around Hong Kong, Macau and China, including: Weddings, Company Functions/Dinners, Charity Events, Private boat parties, Restaurants, and Bars, playing music rooted in traditional Romani, Eastern European and American
Blues/Jazz.
In 2014, he continued his studies in Ireland, where he studied composition with Ronan Guilfoyle, and guitar with Tommy Halferty.
Meanwhile, he widely performed with different groups and musicians
from Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and Argentina, playing jazz standards and original compositions.
Kai Chung also enjoys arranging for big band and developed strong interest in composition duringhis studies. He likes integrating different genres to create new style, experimenting on new soundand different ensemble setting.
After graduating with a 1st class honors BA in Jazz Performance, he
joined the Irish Composers Collective and he is currently studying a M.Phil. of Composition in Trinity College Dublin.
Besides performance and composition, Kai Chung is a member of Hong Kong Music Tutors Union.
For more than 10 years, he provided individual and group classes on rhythm, performance,ensembles, skills of accoustic guitar, electric guitar and bass guitar, aural training, sightreading, theory, reading chords symbols and lead sheet.
Musical styles include Pop, Rock, Folk, Country,Blues, Jazz, in both Hong Kong and Ireland.
Wind Department
Adam Daniel - Saxophone / Flute
Having completed a BA in Music, from Melbourne University in 1996. Adam has performed as a professional musician in many ensembles with vastly varied genres and styles in both Australia and Europe.
After moving to Ireland in 2000, Adam has taught music, both in music schools and privately in the Munster area. He also performs as a tenor saxophonist with groups such as ‘The Bentley Boys’, ’Serious Mischief’ and ‘The Low Down’, playing in many different settings including Jazz festivals, weddings, corporate functions, etc.
Adam offers experience in performance, technique, reading writing and music theory. His principal instruments include the saxophone and flute. Should you be interested in learning Saxophone or Flute, you want to read and write, or you just want to be able to play you favourite tunes, then feel relaxed about making an enquiry. Adam caters to all standards and ages.
Harp Department
Dr Janet Harbison
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.
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.
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
Siobhán Brady
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