LYNSEY CALLAGHAN
executive artistic director
Lynsey is passionate about providing opportunities for excellence in youth choral music. In 2024, she was appointed Principal Conductor of the UK’s National Youth Choir (9-15) and began her tenure as Creative Director of the Irish Youth Choir (14-17) in 2026. She is the Artistic Director of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs. In October 2017, Lynsey founded Dublin Youth Choir with the aim to connect young people from across Dublin and the surrounding areas through the provision of choral music education. Both the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs and Dublin Youth Choir are rooted in a shared educational philosophy inspired by the Kodály approach, placing musicianship development at the core of their work. The two organisations have collaborated on various projects as the Cross Border Youth Choir.
Lynsey also enjoys working with adult and professional choirs. She is currently celebrating her tenth anniversary as Music Director of Tallaght Choral Society, where she has led a wide range of ambitious choral-orchestral projects. She conducts community choir Ceol Aoine. At a professional level, she has served as chorus master for Chamber Choir Ireland, the country’s flagship professional vocal ensemble.
Following a degree in music education (Trinity College Dublin and DIT Conservatory of Music) and a master’s degree in choral conducting (Royal Irish Academy of Music), Lynsey completed a PhD in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Since 2020, she has been Head of Programmes, Research and Academics at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Lynsey conducts a number of choirs within DYC, including Junior Choir Year One, Training Trebles, Youth Choir, Chamber Choir and DYC Singers. 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 Dublin Youth Junior Choir Years 3 and 4 and Pre-Training Choir, teaches musicianship to Junior and Training Choirs, and accompanies all DYC choirs as required.
MIRIAM KEHOE
conductor
Miriam Kehoe is a secondary school music and Irish teacher. She is passionate about education and spent two years studying music pedagogy at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary. Following her BA and BMus in UCD, Miriam completed a postgraduate diploma in education at Trinity College Dublin, launching her career as a secondary school teacher. She completed a master’s degree in informal and cooperative learning in music education at Trinity College Dublin. Miriam developed her love for choral music through the Dublin Choral Foundation and Irish Youth Choir, and she continues to be a keen choral singer.
Miriam is responsible for the DYC Minis programme.
music assistants
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
DYC Choral Mentors are some of DYC’s most promising singers who volunteer to help the Youth Choir members develop.
DYC Board Members
John Lamont (Chair)
Dr Lynsey Callaghan
Christine Ferguson
Clíodhna ní Fhátharta
Deirdre Hoey
Dr Brian Murphy
Dr Terry Neill