Sligo Feis Ceoil

Adjudicators 2012

VOCAL

NICOLA-JANE KEMP
Nicola-Jane is a coloratura soprano (her signature role is “Queen of the Night”) and has worked for companies as diverse as Music Theatre Wales, the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in France and BBC Radio 2 (Friday Night is Music Night). Her concert work takes her all round the UK – including the South Bank, Barbican and St John’s Smith Square in London – and to the Middle East.
In a new departure as a co-editor with Heidi Pegler, she has recently been awarded “Best Education Publication” by the British Music Industries Association for her special series of songbooks The Language of Song published by Faber Music, with further volumes of the series in preparation.
She currently teaches choral scholars at Clare and Queens’ Colleges, Cambridge and at St Paul’s Girls’ School, also giving masterclasses and workshops for the ARK Academy schools in conjunction with Suzi Digby OBE and TheVoices Foundation. She is a Grade and Diploma examiner for the ABRSM, an adjudicator for The British & International Federation of Festivals and a member of the Association of Teachers of Singing.
OFFICIAL VOCAL ACCOMPANIST Leonard Dorrian

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

IVAN ANDREWS
Ivan is a graduate of Auckland University, New Zealand, studied at the Royal College of Music under Joan Dickson and Anthony Pini on an Associated Board Scholarship, and an Arts Council grant. Further studies included master classes with Andre Navarra and private lessons with Jacqueline Du Pré. A period of freelance work in London including London Mozart Players, the Royal Ballet, the Philharmoina and various chambers ensembles. Teaching positions held include the Royal College of Music, the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Goldsmiths College London. He divides his time between performing, chamber music and teaching.


OFFICAL INSTRUMENTAL ACCOMPANIST:
Niamh Crowley , B. Mus ( Hons ),P.G. Dip, ARCM,LGSMD,LCT

TRADITIONAL MUSIC

ENDA SCAHILL Click here
Enda has recorded with multi Grammy winner and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs, guested with The Chieftains, toured with Frankie Gavin and is a full time member of the Brock McGuire Band, recently awarded Instrumental Band of the Decade by Irish American News Galway born banjo player Enda Scahill is one of the most critically acclaimed banjoists in Ireland today. Enda has long established himself as one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish banjo playing and is widely recognised for his technical prowess and banjo teaching abilities.
In 2008 Enda published his Irish Tenor Banjo Tutor. Professor Mick Moloney wrote “Enda’s tutor is masterfully conceived, the product of years of playing and thoughtful reflection”. The tutor is now the top selling Irish banjo tutorial on the market.
His solo album Pick It Up was widely acclaimed. Enda has been described as “just about the strongest banjo I’ve have ever heard” (Art Ketchin, Celtic Beat) and Irish American News in Chicago said “[Enda] does things on the banjo which should be impossible”. Irish Music Magazine has described his playing as “simply divine” and in a review of a recent concert, editor Sean Laffey wrote “Enda Scahill on banjo was fantastic”Enda recently released the album Humdinger with Paul Brock which was awarded Album of the Year in the Irish Times and Instrumental Album of the Year in Irish American News. Paddy Maloney of the Chieftains hailed the album’s “incredible virtuosic playing”
The Brock McGuire Band’s latest album Green Grass Blue Grass was hailed by PJ Curtis as “A ground-breaking, milestone recording”.He has performed at all the top North American festivals including Celtic Colours, Milwaukee Irish Fest, Dublin Ohio, North Texas Irish Fest etc.At home Enda has performed in the National Concert Hall and the University of Limerick Concert Hall and all the various arts and cultural centres across Ireland.

VERSE-SPEAKING

AILBHE-GARVEY HUGHES
Ailbhe has been involved in theatre for most of her life. She received a Fellowship in Speech and Drama from the London College of Music and a Licentiate from Trinity College.
A member of the Association of Drama Adjudicators since its inception; she is also an adjudicator and member of The British and International Federation of Festivals. She is a member of The Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama (M.S.T.S.D.) and an examiner for The Royal Irish Academy
While acting she won the ‘best actress’ award playing Jill Tanner in “Butterflies are Free” at the All Ireland Finals in Athlone and collected many other ‘best actress’ at other Drama Festivals. She played in many productions in An Taibhdearc (The Irish Language Theatre) before teaming up with the internationally renowned “Druid” Theatre Company in 1978, where she played in many successful productions including those in the Dublin and Edinburgh Theatre Festivals.
She has been teaching drama to primary, secondary and third level students for many years. Her school’s many successes include winning the All Ireland Youth Theatre Festival.
From her extensive experience in national and international adjudicating in the English speaking world she believes in offering educational feedback to competitors and teachers and encouraging participation in the festival movement.

DRAMA

DEIRDRE NOLAN LIBSD
Deirdre is a native of Dublin and holds the Licenciate of the Irish Board of Speech and Drama. She is an Examiner and Adjudicator with the Irish Board.
She combines her love of Speech and Drama with her love of Dance in her school The Drama Academy in Dublin where both disciplines are taught to high levels. Her senior class are currently preparing for their Acting Diploma Examinations. In 2008 , Deirdre , won the AIMS Best Choreographer Award.
Deirdre also directs musicals and plays in schools around Dublin and has won nominations and awards over the years for her work including Best Actress in the Bray One Act Festival.
Deirdre has a strong belief in the confidence and self assurance that each student gains from studying speech and drama, and wishes all actors taking part in Sligo Feis Ceoil the joy of inviting an audience into a different world where normal life is suspended and a new reality becomes completely believable. “Break a Leg” and enjoy!