LYNSEY CALLAGHAN
founding artistic director
Following a degree in music education (Trinity College Dublin and DIT Conservatory of Music) and a master’s degree in performance (Royal Irish Academy of Music), Lynsey undertook an interdisciplinary PhD in Trinity College Dublin. Lynsey is Head of Programmes, Research and Academics at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. In 2022, Lynsey was chosen to take part in the Global Leaders Program, joining a cohort of rising change-makers in music who are committed to social justice through music. The international programme has furthered her commitment to and understanding of social entrepreneurship and justice, cultural agency, community development and teaching artistry. She completed an MBA in Arts Entrepreneurship in 2023. Lynsey’s goal is to contribute to a systemic change in music education in Ireland so that more people are included in and through music. Along with Dublin Youth Choir, Lynsey is also the Artistic Director of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs and the Cross Border Youth Choir initiative. These programmes all aim to transform music education across the island.
Lynsey conducts a number of choirs within DYC, including Training Trebles, Youth Choir and Chamber Choir. She also teaches musicianship to several groups within DYC.
Brian murphy
Conductor
Brian Murphy graduated from a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting in 2021 and is currently in his third year of the Doctor in Music Performance degree at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, specialising in choral conducting and undertaking research on cambiata voices. He is also undertaking the ITM Alexander Technique Teacher Training Course. Brian completed his bachelor’s degree in music and history in Maynooth University before undertaking a PGCE in music education in Edge Hill University, England. During his time in Maynooth, Brian served as President of the Music Society and was elected Students’ Union President in 2009, through which he became the chief student representative for the Maynooth students both within the university and nationally. From 2016 to 2021, Brian was the Musical Director of the Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir. Under his direction, the choir performed at many high-profile events, including President Michael D. Higgin’s garden party, at Áras an Uachtaráin for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and at the final of the Pro-14 Rugby Tournament in the Aviva Stadium. Brian conducts Amici Vocal Ensemble in Clontarf. He is a secondary school teacher and is active as a clarinettist and saxophonist. Brian has sung with numerous choirs and is currently a member of the award-winning choir Mornington Singers.
Brian directs Pre-DYC and the Cambiata Choir. He also teaches musicianship to several groups within DYC.
David callaghan
conductor and accompanist
David Callaghan completed a primary degree in music education at Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He has a wide range of performance experience as a pianist, singer, violinist and conductor. David was awarded a music scholarship from Wesley College, Dublin where he directed an award-winning chamber choir and from there, has conducted a number of choirs. In addition to his role as Director of Trinity Singers during his studies at TCD, David was involved as Musical Director for their Musical Theatre Society’s production of West Side Story and directed chamber music projects at RIAM. David has sung with many choirs including Irish Youth Chamber Choir, Dublin Youth Chamber Choir, Trinity Singers and the RIAM Chorale. He has sung with Trinity Orchestra in their pop music sets at music festivals around Ireland. As an accompanist, he has performed with an array of choirs and soloists. David is the accompanist for Setanta Choir in Co. Louth and Dublin Youth Choir with whom he also teaches musicianship courses. David spent a term at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary where he studied conducting, pedagogy and performance. As a passionate music educator, David teaches post-primary music and has tutored lower voices in a number of choirs including Dublin Youth Choir, Dublin Youth Chamber Choir, Tallaght Choral Society and the RIAM Youth Choir Summer Course. He is a member of the music staff at Mount Argus Parish and is Director of Music in Harold’s Cross Church.
David conducts several Dublin Youth Junior Choirs, teaches musicianship to Junior and Training Choirs, and accompanies all DYC choirs as required.
Megan o’Neill
vocal coach
Irish soprano Megan O’Neill is from Co.Kerry and is in her final year of the Doctor in Music Performance Degree at the Royal Irish Academy of Music studying with Professor Mary Brennan and Dr Andrew Synnott. She completed the BMus Degree in Maynooth University in 2018 and graduated with a first-class Honours degree. She also completed the Master’s in Music Performance Degree at RIAM in 2020, where she also received a first-class Honours. In the 2022 Feis Ceoil, Megan was the winner of the German Government Cup and the Gervase Elwes Memorial Cup. She was also awarded the 2022 RDS Music Bursary of 15,000EUR. Megan played the role of Signora Avoglio in All the Angels by Nick Drake, which took place in the Everyman Theatre, Cork, and Smock Alley, Dublin in 2021. Megan played the role of teen polar bear in ‘The Scorched Earth Trilogy’ which was released in March 2022 with Irish National Opera and Dumbworld Production Company. She is a teaching assistant at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and is also a member of the Irish National Opera Company Chorus.
Megan is a vocal coach for Dublin Youth Choir and works with the Training Choirs to develop a sustainable vocal technique and musicianship.
music assistants
laura danova | APRYL CULLEN | Daria MORAN
DYC Music Assistants are some of DYC’s most promising young musicians and music educators. They sing with DYC Singers and assist with the younger choirs. They are mentored by the music staff and develop an understanding of DYC’s philosophy of choral music education. They attend training days and courses, supported by DYC, and have an opportunity to develop their practice.
YOUTH CHOIR CHORAL MENTORS
Jason carlo carranceja | niall kelly | Sandra CANNON
DYC Choral Mentors are some of DYC’s most promising singers who volunteer to help the Youth Choir members develop and sing with DYC Singers .