Mairéad Carlin
Máiréad Carlin | |
|---|---|
 Máiréad Carlin Brisbane January 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 5 December 1988 [1] Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Celtic |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, accordion |
| Labels | Decca Records, Universal Records |
Máiréad Carlin is an Irish singer and a member of the ensemble Celtic Woman.[2]
Early life
Máiréad was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. “Derry, my hometown, is a very cultured and musical place, wherever you turn there’s always music...That was especially true in my family...We’d just sit around the fire, sing and drink tea”.[2]
Career
Máiréad began her career at the age of 15 when she won the title role of 'The Rose' in BBC Talents 'Young Singers' competition in The Little Prince (opera) by Rachel Portman. Conducted by David Charles Abell the score was recorded by Sony Classical in Abbey Road Studios and aired on BBC Two and PBS in America. It was directed by American opera and theatre director Francesca Zambello
She trained in vocal performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Upon graduating she was offered a scholarship to further her postgraduate studies in Musical Theatre at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music but turned it down when offered a deal with Decca Records. Máiréad continues to train with Mary Hammond and Simon Lee (conductor).
Máiréad has since performed for the President of Ireland, celebrated the Irish Anthem for the England-Ireland Rugby International to a TV audience of millions and recently, she has shared the stage with Snow Patrol and The Priests at the 2013 BBC TV Gala Concert ‘Sons and Daughters’ to mark Derry’s year as City of Culture.[2] She also recorded the City of Culture anthem ‘Let The River Run’ with Glee star Damian McGinty.[2]
Upon hearing the song, Carly Simon said 'I just played it and cried my eyes out and I'm still crying. It's absolutely stunningly wonderful. Thank you for doing me proud.' She later invited Máiréad and Damian to perform live with her in Los Angeles at an Oceana benefit concert presented by Hillary Clinton, Ted Danson and Harvey Weinstein.
Carly subsequently released the single under her own label Iris Records/Walled City Records.
Máiréad has toured the UK and Ireland with American singer-songwriter Don McLean, including a sold out concert at the Royal Albert Hall. In early 2013, she made her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra in the National Concert Hall for RTÉ TV.
She is the featured soprano on 'White Light' in the box office hit Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa with music by Ilan Eshkeri.
“A motto I’ve used throughout my career so far”, she says, “is a quote from the award-winning poet Seamus Heaney: ‘Sing yourself to where the singing comes from.’ I think there’s a lot to be said for that”.[2]
Celtic Woman
After finishing her degree, Máiréad was signed to Decca Records and recorded her debut album, ‘Songbook’ with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in Air Studios and British Grove Studios. It was mixed by Grammy award winning engineer Geoff Foster. Carlin describes the album as portraying the more 'vulnerable' side to her sound and a 'transition period in my life where I was finding myself- I guess I was growing up through this album. In every breath and in every note, there's a story...believe me'.[2] On 5 August 2013 the Celtic Woman website reported that Chloë Agnew would be taking a break from Celtic Woman to work on solo projects, and on 23 August 2013 it reported that Máiréad Carlin would be taking Chloë's place. Carlin made a statement saying: "I am thrilled and honoured to join Celtic Woman, particularly as the first girl from the north of Ireland. I am humbled to be able to continue on their musical journey alongside Susan, Lisa and Máiréad."[2]
References
External links
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