Stephanie Ní Fhoghlú
Musical Director, 2024-date
Stephanie began vocal training at a young age and went on to earn a Performance Diploma (Voice) from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in 2008. She graduated in 2009 with a first-class honours BA in Music from Waterford Institute of Technology (now South East Technological University), majoring in vocal studies.
With a deep passion for choral music, Stephanie has performed with numerous ensembles over the years, including the Irish Youth Choir and various Waterford-based groups such as the Ad Hoc Chorale.
As a performer in her own right, Stephanie continues to enjoy a vibrant solo career, appearing as a soloist at a variety of events and serving as a cantor in her local church.
Her theatrical highlights include the title role of ‘Lily’ in the 2003 premiere of Marion Ingoldsby's children's opera Lily’s Labyrinth, which was performed in Waterford and at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. She later portrayed ‘Sedna, Queen of the Sea’ in the 2007 production of the same opera as part of WIT’s New Music Week. Other notable stage roles include ‘Fantine’ in De La Salle College’s production of Les Misérables (March 2006), ‘Ida’ in an ERCS production of Die Fledermaus, ‘Ado Annie’ in Oklahoma!, and various minor roles in variety performances.
Stephanie's extensive experience both a choral singer and accomplished soloist makes her an inspiring leader for the choir's members and audiences alike. She is thrilled to lead the Waterford Male Voice Choir and bring her expertise to its rich tradition of male voice harmony.
Úna Connery
Piano Accompanist, 2024-date
Úna, a native of Sligo, comes from a multi instrumental family and as a result her accompaniment skills were honed from an early age. She was a regular contender and prize-winner in various instrumental categories at Feis Shligigh and Feis Ceoil. She studied Piano with Brian Beckett in the RIAM Dublin and was an active participant in Music Summer Schools and Workshops.
Her interest in accompaniment lead her to SETU (WRTC at the time) where, under Clare Skerrit she was mentored into more serious accompaniment roles, playing for BA Music Student recitals and exams and rehearsal pianist for the dept. Choir and Chamber Choir. In time Úna could be found playing anywhere that required an accompanist, a rehearsal pianist or repetiteur: from the Pit of Theatre Royal and The Large Room of City Hall to Church Cathedrals, New and Old Music Festivals; National Competitions and Concerts to College classrooms and School exam halls et al.
Whilst studying for her BA Music she moved under the tutelage of Florence Ryan (The Leinster School) with whom she completed her Licentiate Diplomas with Trinity College London, she majored in performance in her final year. Alongside undertaking an MA in Performance, Úna began studying under Timothy Cooper MTU (Cork School Music at the time) but sadly an RSI injury lead to a halt in performing.
Following a sabbatical Úna decided to turn focus to Music Education. In 2011 she completed an MA in Teaching and Learning at Higher Level. Úna’s role as an accompanist and piano teacher in WIT Creative and Performing Arts department and Music School (1996-2018) has enabled her to share her experience and skills with hundreds of students over the years.
Always more comfortable in the accompaniment seat as opposed to out front and centre, she is delighted to be a part of The WMVC and to support them in their musical storytelling and remarkable fund raising efforts.
Cecilia Kehoe
Piano Accompanist, 2013-2024
Cecilia graduated from the Cork School of Music with a Professional Diploma, Dip. CSM, in instrumental teaching. She continued with her studies for a Bachelor's Degree in music at University College Cork and was awarded an Organ Scholarship at St. Finbarr's Cathedral during that time. Cecilia also specialised in carillon performance under the tutelage of Adrian Gebreurs, as well as continuing with her studies with piano and organ.
She was awarded an International Rotarian Scholarship of $25,000 which enabled her to study for and graduate with a first class Master's degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, U.S.A. She gave carillon and organ recitals in Ann Arbor and Frederick City, Pennsylvania. Recently, she graduated with a Professional Master’s in Education. Cecilia says the highlight of her week is when she works as Piano Accompanist to Waterford Male-Voice Choir.
Cian O’Carroll
Musical Director, 2013-2024.
Cian certainly was given a hectic introduction to the choir when, within a month of his arrival, he had to have us prepared to perform in the National Concert Hall in Dublin and he has been keeping us on our toes ever since. Cian has been the Musical Director of the Waterford Male Voice Choir since 2013. He has conducted a wide range of music here in Waterford for over 20 years – from choirs and barbershop groups to musical societies. He has worked with renowned groups including the Lismore Choir, the Dungarvan Choral and Musical Society, the De La Salle College Musical Society and is also Musical Director of the Sweeney Toddlers Barbershop Quintet and Ad Hoc Chorale.
The repertoire of music he has conducted is equally impressive, from chamber choral works to large scale requiems and musicals such as Les Miserables and West Side Story, Cian has had many success in Choral Festivals across Ireland – in, Cork, Sligo, Mayo and New Ross , and of course internationally with the WMVC in Vienna two years ago.
Niall Crowley
Musical Director, 2001-2013.
Having made the decision to go ahead and set up the Waterford Male Voice Choir, the founding members were tasked with getting a Musical Director, something they were not at all familiar with. They were extremely fortunate to happen upon a very articulate and musically gifted young man, Niall Crowley, who steered the group through its first 12 years.
Working as a conductor, educator and publisher, Niall Crowley has been a dynamic voice in Irish choral music for nearly 20 years.
Niall is based in Waterford, Ireland where he is a conductor and singing teacher at the Waterford Institute of Technology. Here he was instrumental in the success of the renowned WIT Choral Programme, helping it grow from one choir of around 30 singers to six choirs with over 200 singers.
Taking his first steps in choral music at De la Salle College under Br. Ben Hanlon, Niall went on to complete a BA Mus at WIT and furthered his studiesat UL and the CIT Cork School of Music where he was awarded an MA in Musicology and an MA in Conducting respectively.
Passionate about the value of music, Niall has been instrumental in the establishment of over ten choirs in his hometown alone. He has worked extensively with the WIT Youth Choir, Irish Youth Choir, Waterford Male Voice Choir, WIT Boys’ Choir and the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. Niall has conducted performances at venues such as the Southbank Centre, Coventry Cathedral, St. Mary's Basilica, Kraków and Carnegie Hall.
Other groups he has worked with include the High Hopes Choir, Southbank Sinfonia, Ulster Youth Choir, Cornell University Glee Club, Ad Hoc Chorale, Waterford Baroque Consort and Lumina.
In demand as a clinician, Niall has given workshops throughout Ireland, Great Britain and America. He has delivered courses for the Dept. of Education & Science, Music Generation and has been a guest tutor at Sing Ireland’s International Conducting Summer School on numerous occasions.
More recently Niall co-founded Cailíno Music Publishers, a company that specialises in publishing and promoting Irish Choral Music internationally, where he works as the Director of Publications.
Sinead Dempsey
Piano Accompanist 2001-2013.
Sinéad Dempsey was the accompanist of the Waterford Male Voice Choir from its foundation in 2001 until December 2012. A native of Clonmel, Sinéad began her piano studies with Geraldine Molumby. She completed a BA in Music at WIT, studying with Paddy Fitzgerald and Malcolm Proud and was the recipient of the Bridget Doolan Memorial Award.
Sinéad now specialises in music education and teaches piano and musicianship in the SETU Music School. She has studied in the Kodály Pedagogical Institute in Hungary and the University of Reading. She has presented demonstration classes to children as part of the New Ross Piano Festival in 2017, 2018 & 2019.
Sinéad also works as a choral conductor. She has been the director of the award-winning WIT Girls’ Choir since 2003. In 2009 Sinéad worked as assistant director of ‘Children’s Voices of Ireland’, a cross-border, cross-community youth choir based in Belfast. In 2010 she was awarded the Conductor in Training position with the National Chamber Choir and the Irish Youth Choir.
Sinéad is much in demand in the Waterford area as an accompanist for soloists and choirs for concerts, exams and competition performances. She has fantastic memories of her time with the Waterford Male Voice Choir and would like to wish them continued success!