Ciara will be performing a series of Christmas concerts, Nollaig le Ciara, featuring Irish classics, folk and Christmas favourites, this December.
She began her musical journey at age seven with the Danescastle Music Group, where she sang and played flute, specialising in traditional Irish music. Ciara competed in numerous competitions including Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Scór, and Siansa, in solo singing, ballad group singing, and Grupa Ceoil. At the same time, she started classical singing training at The Kiltra School of Music with Angela Mahon. She later joined music theory classes and became a member of The Little Sea Musical Society.
Ciara will be accompanied by Jim Murray, famed guitarist of The Sharon Shannon Band, and by fellow former student of Purcell School for Young Musicians in London, violinist, Dominic Lucian Drutac, who from an early age, was a member of the Moldovan National Youth Orchestra and has since performed in numerous countries including Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Malta, Germany, Portugal, and Georgia.
Ciara’s second concert is taking place in Fethard on December 16
He’s joined by cellist, Ivan Cherednichenko Carrillo who began his musical studies at age six in the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he studied cello with Andrew Elliott and Kyle Patterson. His final year at the College was marked with winning the concerto competition, performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto, receiving second place in the Intercollegiate Piano Trio Competition, and being awarded the Principal’s Prize for his contributions to the College.
Two young composers of London Conservatoires, Edward Tait and Laurie Glass, have come on board to assist with string arrangements.
Ciara said, “I want to make them enjoyable musical experiences but also visually beautiful with lots of candles and Christmas lights.”
There are two concerts on the schedule for Wexford. First up is a concert at Granstown Church which takes place at 8.30pm on December 14, with tickets being sold at Costcutters Wellingtonbridge, followed by a concert at St. Mogues Church which takes place at 8pm on December 16, with tickets being sold at Fethard on Sea Post Office at a cost of €25.