Our People

Greg Beardsell was appointed conductor of the CBOI in August 2015. Greg is one of the most outstanding conductors of his generation.

Julie-Anne Manning studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin with Nora Gilleece and William Butt. She then moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) under the guidance of Professors David Strange and Felix Schmidt.

Áine Balfe holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Trinity College Dublin and DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, and also has an LTCL diploma in flute performance with distinction.

Bernie Balfe is a clarinettist, saxophonist and vocalist with an eclectic musical experience ranging from Classical and Choral, to Jazz and Rock. As an educator with Music Generation Louth, she works as an instrumental and musicianship instructor.

Philip is currently a ‘district coordinator’ with the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB).

Barry McBrien is an accomplished trombonist based in Dublin. He has played professionally for more than 25 years.

Adam has had a keen interest in music from a very young age, honing his skills with the Artane School of Music.

Danny Roe is a highly accomplished and award winning percussionist.

Gareth Hughes began his professional music career in 1998 and has since played bass guitar and double bass with Elton John, Lionel Richie, Ronan Keating, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Dane Bowers, Russell Watson.

Leading lever harpist of her generation, Dr Anne-Marie O’Farrell from Dublin has performed all over the world as a solo artist, accompanist and in ensembles, and is regularly featured in broadcasts. Read more

Paul came into music at an early age, learning Recorder & Tin Whistle at 6, Piano at 8, Drums at 10 & Guitar/Bass Guitar at 12. He has played Percussion in Ardee Concert Band since 1976 & was at one stage, Conductor of the junior band there.

Lauren Murphy is a multi-award winning singer/songwriter from north Monaghan. Having performed nationally and internationally from a very young age, Lauren enjoys singing in a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz and hard rock/metal.

Conal Duffy is an award winning Uilleann Piper from Co Louth. Conal has performed with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland in London’s Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Lincoln Center, Chicago Symphony Hall and Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre.

Patricia Treacy is Ireland’s most versatile virtuoso violinist. She studied with outstanding distinction at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Pauline Scott and travelled widely to continue her studies under the great maestros Pincas Zuckerman in Israel, Mauricio Fuks in Canada, Igor Frolov in Russia, and Boris Belkin and Uto Ugi in Italy.

Bernie Balfe is a clarinettist, saxophonist and vocalist with an eclectic musical experience ranging from Classical and Choral, to Jazz and Rock. As an educator with Music Generation Louth, she works as an instrumental and musicianship instructor.

Colmcille Pipe Band was founded in May 1978 in Derry by the Hasson family circle. One of the founding members is still a competing member of the band, Pipe Major Brian Hasson Sr. The strong ‘family’ bond continues in the band to this day.

Director of The Highland Dancers, Michelle Johnston, has more 20 years of experience in traditional dancing styles, beginning with Irish dancing aged six. In later years Michelle’s love of dance became focused on the art of Highland and Scottish National Dancing.

Rooney O’Malley Maguire School of Irish Dance is based in scenic South Armagh/Newry. The school catalogues a long history of Irish dance and boasts numerous, Ulster, All Ireland and World Champions, both in solo and team events.

Amber Dixon is a member of the Flynn Performing Arts group under the direction of Fiona Flynn, Newry Musical Society, and the Ulster Youth Training choir.

Irish-born Tenor, Ross Scanlon, trained at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama where he was awarded the Michael McNamara Gold Medal of excellence in performance, and at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

Soprano Katie Weir was joint winner of The Soloist 2017. She has been singing, acting and dancing as long as she can remember. Katie attends classes at Talented Kids Performing Arts School, Dublin and is also a member of MVW Talent Agency.

Zena Donnelly is joint winner of The Soloist 2016. Zena was discovered in 2009 at the age of 7 by ‘The Late Late Show’ on RTE tv during nationwide auditions, and a subsequent solo performance on the show’s legendary ‘Late Late Toy Show’ ensued.

Tenor Eoin Hynes is joint winner of the Soloist 2016. He is an honours music graduate of Maynooth University (NUIM) and D.I.T Conservatory of Music and Drama.

Winner of the 2021 Toronto Mozart Vocal Competition and 2022 New York NYIOP ANON Competition, Mezzo Soprano Sarah Richmond is known for her emotional engagement, with Opera Magazine remarking “Her voice was bright and clear, her acting wholly convincing” and Online Musik Magazin praising her “kraftiges Timbre und grosse Strahlkraft” (strong timbre and great radiance).

Daniel is a classical pianist from Co. Waterford. He began playing the piano at the age of 6 and was mostly self taught until he enrolled in the Cork School of Music at age 14 to study with Jan Cap.

Cobhla Surlis is the winner of The Soloist 2019. She is a member of the celebrated Maynooth University Chamber choir which recently won the coveted John Mannion Award* at Cork International Choral Festival Cobhla gained recognition in 2016 when she sang the National Anthem at the Raising of the Flag’ ceremony to launch commemorations celebrating the foundation of the State.