New Singing Academy
14 August, 2013
MONTFORT COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS
LAUNCH NEW SINGING ACADEMY LED BY THE INIMITABLE MAJELLA CULLAGH!
From September 2013 at Montfort College of Performing Arts Studio,
Penrose Wharf, Cork City
August 2013 – This year the Montfort College of Performing Arts is proud to launch a new Singing Academy for your little ones throughout the academic year of 2013/14 led by one of Ireland’s foremost international sopranos Majella Cullagh along with vocal coach and singer Sarah Burke-Hochstedler and Musical Director Colm O Regan.
As part of their singing programme 2012 - 2013 saw students prepared for Feis Maitiu, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art musical theatre exams and Royal Irish Academy of Music singing exams. With prize winners in many categories in Feis Maitiu and distinction and honours results in Royal Irish Academy music exams this expansion into the Montfort Singing Academy was a natural progression for this continuously growing school of performance. With the additional of international soprano, Majella Cullagh, the Montfort Singing Academy is sure to be at the top of its game across all genres of performance. Based in Penrose Wharf Studio, the Montfort Singing Academy will host classes for individuals, small groups and its renowned Montforts Youth Choir for children and adults aged 7 years and up.
Majella Cullagh is one of Ireland’s foremost international sopranos who graduated from London’s prestigious National Opera Studio in 1993 and has had a twenty year career on the operatic stage. Her performances have brought her to perform in many of the important houses in Europe; as well as New York, Dallas, California and as far afield as New Zealand. Highlights include performances at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall, at the Royal Swedish Opera, the Royal Danish Opera, Opera di Verona, Opera de Toulon, Edinburgh Festival and the Donizetti Festival in Bergamo.
While Majella’s career has been concentrated on the operatic stage, she also performs extensively in oratorio and on the concert platform as well as having an impressive discography with over thirty recordings on the Opera Rara, Chandos and Naxos labels. Her latest release, on the Naxos label, is Rossini’s Le Siege de Corinthe, recorded live at the Rossini Festival in Bad Wildbad, Germany.
Having recently entered the education arena following first class honours in her Taught Master’s Degree from the CIT Cork School of Music, Majella has adjudicated at the Royal Academy of Music and the DIT Conservatory, Dublin.
Joining Majella Cullagh in the Montfort Singing Academy is vocal coach and singer Sarah Burke-Hochstedler and Musical Director Colm O Regan. Sarah Burke-Hochstedler has enjoyed success in many fields of entertainment both at home and overseas. Most recently, she performed with world famous singing group Celtic Woman, touring USA, Canada and Australia in 2009 and 2010. Colm O Regan has also enjoyed success both at home and abroad, most recently working with Todd Ellison on the musical phenomenon Annie on Broadway, New York as well as Patrick Vaccariello for the Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival in Pennsylvania. Since graduation he has been focusing on conducting, winning several awards with his choirs, participating in the AOIC summer course and masterclasses, and had the pleasure of working closely with The King's Singers at a workshop for his chamber choir Voci Nuove. With this level of professionalism and sheer talent students from all over Cork are guaranteed to have some of the finest voice and performance coaching around by attending the Montfort Singing Academy in Penrose Wharf Studio.
In addition to the Montfort Singing Academy in the heart of the city, Montfort College of Performing Arts also offers a range of classes in Dance and Drama at various locations throughout Cork city and county. With a growing programme of classes including the addition of Ballet classes, and an expanded Adult Acting Studio, the Montforts will be expanding geographically also, taking on new studios in Ballincollig, Garryduff, and Macroom, bringing their presence up to 14 different locations across Cork city and county. With an experienced staff and expert guidance students will be put through their paces in all aspects of performing while all the time ensuring they have as much fun as possible and building self-confidence in an exciting, creative and nurturing environment.
The Montfort College of Performing Arts is proud to be the only stage school in Cork who deliver not only a full scale end of year show in Cork Opera House but also produce a full-blown musical production in the autumn in the Everyman Theatre, one Spring show in the Half Moon Theatre and also a hilarious Pantomime in the Firkin Crane and a full Adult Production in a site specific venue, ensuring that all of their students are given an opportunity to perform in some of the best venues Cork has to offer. This Autumn will see a fully staged production of Joseph and his Amazing Tecnicolour Dreamcoat in the Everyman Theatre from the 21 - 24 October.
Lead by the inspiring team of Eileen Nolan and Trevor Ryan, the Montfort College of Performing Arts continues to be one of Ireland’s most prestigious and credible training grounds for young talent for children aged 3 years of age upwards under their directors’ watchful and discerning eyes.
Whether your child has lots of experience, or wants to discover hidden talents, these classes will give your children the opportunity to develop amazing friendships and to perform to the best of their abilities. Places are filling up fast so book early to avoid disappointment! Book online at http://www.montfortcollege.com. Your child may not be a Montfort yet, but given the opportunity they’ll develop that much loved Montfort enthusiasm in no time!!
For more information on classes and registration visit the website www.montfortcollege.com or contact the office on 021 4501412 or 087 2472423 or email: montfortcollege@iol.ie
-END-
Editors Notes:
Tutors Biographies:
Majella Cullagh
Majella Cullagh is one of Ireland’s foremost international sopranos. She graduated from London’s prestigious National Opera Studio in 1993 and has had a twenty year career on the operatic stage. Her performances have brought her to many of the important houses in Europe; she’s performed in New York, Dallas, California and as far afield as New Zealand. Highlights include performances at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall, at the Royal Swedish Opera, the Royal Danish Opera, Opera di Verona, Opera de Toulon, Edinburgh festival and the Donizetti Festival in Bergamo.
While Majella’s career has been concentrated on the operatic stage, she also performs extensively in oratorio and on the concert platform. She has sung recitals in London, Milan, Amsterdam, Catania, La Coruna, Pesaro and Stuttgart.
Majella has an impressive discography with over thirty recordings on the Opera Rara, Chandos and Naxos labels. Her latest release, on the Naxos label, is Rossini’s Le Siege de Corinthe, recorded live at the Rossini Festival in Bad Wildbad, Germany.
Majella received first class honours in her Taught Master’s Degree from the CIT Cork School of Music in 2009. She has recently entered the education arena and has adjudicated at the Royal Academy of Music and the DIT Conservatory, Dublin. Majella is a member of the board of directors at the Cork Opera House.
Sarah Burke-Hochstedler - Masters Drama & Theatre Studies, BA in Music & English, BMus
Cork born Sarah is a graduate of UCC, obtaining a Masters degree in Drama and Theatre, BMus and BA in Music and English. Having trained with the Montfort College of Performing Arts, Sarah has enjoyed success in many fields of entertainment both at home and overseas. Most recently, she performed with world famous singing group Celtic Woman, touring USA, Canada and Australia in 2009 and 2010. At home, she played lead roles in many musicals and pantomimes at Cork Opera House and the Everyman Palace Theatre. Roles include the title role in Cinderella (2007), Sharpay in High School Musical (2007), Maid Marion in Babes in the Wood (2005), Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (2004) and Liesl in The Sound of Music (2004). Sarah also performed in Michael Collins – A Musical Drama, Peter Pan, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver, The Magic of the Musicals, An Enchanted Evening and Beatrice.
Opera performances include Dido and Aeneas, Figaro’s Wedding, Carmen, The Barber of Seville and Don Giovanni. She also performed in a Co-Opera Ireland production of Madama Butterfly which toured France in 2005. Sarah was a soloist at various concerts in UCC and with the Kinsale Light Opera Group. Recording credits include Tommy Fleming’s DVD and CD The Journey Home and as a member of the female chamber choir, Seraphim, on 12 Songs for Sonya and Seraphim Live at the Diseart. With Seraphim, Sarah toured Japan in 2006 and sang alongside The Celtic Tenors and Rebecca Storm. Sarah also sang the Irish National Anthem for the Mayor of Indianapolis at an Irish Hurling tournament held in Indiana in 2012.
Television and film work include Pádraig Trehy’s film My First Motion Picture, The Tudors, The Den, and as a singer on Carols from Cork (RTE). She also appeared on TV in the US, Australia and Japan. Sarah has completed acting exams with LAMDA and piano and singing exams with the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She choreographed Bouncers at the Everyman Palace and Ashton School’s productions of Disco Inferno, Guys and Dolls and The Music Man. She has also worked as musical director on Our Day Out. Sarah has won multiple prizes at Feis Maitiu for musical theatre and drama.
Sarah recently released her first solo EP One and the Same, which can be downloaded on iTunes. She also completed exams in speech and drama with LAMDA and piano and singing exams with the Royal Irish Academy of Music and the Victoria College, London.
Ms. Burke-Hochstedler performing - click here
Colm O’ Regan - B. MUS
Colm O'Regan began his musical education at age 12 by taking piano lessons with Jennifer Lee in his home town of Arklow. At 17 he enrolled in the Royal Irish Academy of Music where he studied piano for 2 years with Lance Coburn, during which time he was awarded the High Achievers for his result in grade 8 of the RIAM grading system. After secondary school he continued his studies with Gabriela Mayer at the CIT Cork School of Music where he completed his Bachelor of Music with first class honours in June 2011, majoring in piano performance and conducting.
He partook in the Erasmus programme in his 3rd year when he studied under Teresa Trevisan at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Tartini in Trieste, Italy. Since graduation he has been focussing on his conducting, winning several awards with his choirs, participating in the AOIC summer course and masterclasses, and had the pleasure of working closely with The King's Singers at a workshop for his chamber choir Voci Nuove.
14 August, 2013
MONTFORT COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS
LAUNCH NEW SINGING ACADEMY LED BY THE INIMITABLE MAJELLA CULLAGH!
From September 2013 at Montfort College of Performing Arts Studio,
Penrose Wharf, Cork City
August 2013 – This year the Montfort College of Performing Arts is proud to launch a new Singing Academy for your little ones throughout the academic year of 2013/14 led by one of Ireland’s foremost international sopranos Majella Cullagh along with vocal coach and singer Sarah Burke-Hochstedler and Musical Director Colm O Regan.
As part of their singing programme 2012 - 2013 saw students prepared for Feis Maitiu, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art musical theatre exams and Royal Irish Academy of Music singing exams. With prize winners in many categories in Feis Maitiu and distinction and honours results in Royal Irish Academy music exams this expansion into the Montfort Singing Academy was a natural progression for this continuously growing school of performance. With the additional of international soprano, Majella Cullagh, the Montfort Singing Academy is sure to be at the top of its game across all genres of performance. Based in Penrose Wharf Studio, the Montfort Singing Academy will host classes for individuals, small groups and its renowned Montforts Youth Choir for children and adults aged 7 years and up.
Majella Cullagh is one of Ireland’s foremost international sopranos who graduated from London’s prestigious National Opera Studio in 1993 and has had a twenty year career on the operatic stage. Her performances have brought her to perform in many of the important houses in Europe; as well as New York, Dallas, California and as far afield as New Zealand. Highlights include performances at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall, at the Royal Swedish Opera, the Royal Danish Opera, Opera di Verona, Opera de Toulon, Edinburgh Festival and the Donizetti Festival in Bergamo.
While Majella’s career has been concentrated on the operatic stage, she also performs extensively in oratorio and on the concert platform as well as having an impressive discography with over thirty recordings on the Opera Rara, Chandos and Naxos labels. Her latest release, on the Naxos label, is Rossini’s Le Siege de Corinthe, recorded live at the Rossini Festival in Bad Wildbad, Germany.
Having recently entered the education arena following first class honours in her Taught Master’s Degree from the CIT Cork School of Music, Majella has adjudicated at the Royal Academy of Music and the DIT Conservatory, Dublin.
Joining Majella Cullagh in the Montfort Singing Academy is vocal coach and singer Sarah Burke-Hochstedler and Musical Director Colm O Regan. Sarah Burke-Hochstedler has enjoyed success in many fields of entertainment both at home and overseas. Most recently, she performed with world famous singing group Celtic Woman, touring USA, Canada and Australia in 2009 and 2010. Colm O Regan has also enjoyed success both at home and abroad, most recently working with Todd Ellison on the musical phenomenon Annie on Broadway, New York as well as Patrick Vaccariello for the Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival in Pennsylvania. Since graduation he has been focusing on conducting, winning several awards with his choirs, participating in the AOIC summer course and masterclasses, and had the pleasure of working closely with The King's Singers at a workshop for his chamber choir Voci Nuove. With this level of professionalism and sheer talent students from all over Cork are guaranteed to have some of the finest voice and performance coaching around by attending the Montfort Singing Academy in Penrose Wharf Studio.
In addition to the Montfort Singing Academy in the heart of the city, Montfort College of Performing Arts also offers a range of classes in Dance and Drama at various locations throughout Cork city and county. With a growing programme of classes including the addition of Ballet classes, and an expanded Adult Acting Studio, the Montforts will be expanding geographically also, taking on new studios in Ballincollig, Garryduff, and Macroom, bringing their presence up to 14 different locations across Cork city and county. With an experienced staff and expert guidance students will be put through their paces in all aspects of performing while all the time ensuring they have as much fun as possible and building self-confidence in an exciting, creative and nurturing environment.
The Montfort College of Performing Arts is proud to be the only stage school in Cork who deliver not only a full scale end of year show in Cork Opera House but also produce a full-blown musical production in the autumn in the Everyman Theatre, one Spring show in the Half Moon Theatre and also a hilarious Pantomime in the Firkin Crane and a full Adult Production in a site specific venue, ensuring that all of their students are given an opportunity to perform in some of the best venues Cork has to offer. This Autumn will see a fully staged production of Joseph and his Amazing Tecnicolour Dreamcoat in the Everyman Theatre from the 21 - 24 October.
Lead by the inspiring team of Eileen Nolan and Trevor Ryan, the Montfort College of Performing Arts continues to be one of Ireland’s most prestigious and credible training grounds for young talent for children aged 3 years of age upwards under their directors’ watchful and discerning eyes.
Whether your child has lots of experience, or wants to discover hidden talents, these classes will give your children the opportunity to develop amazing friendships and to perform to the best of their abilities. Places are filling up fast so book early to avoid disappointment! Book online at http://www.montfortcollege.com. Your child may not be a Montfort yet, but given the opportunity they’ll develop that much loved Montfort enthusiasm in no time!!
For more information on classes and registration visit the website www.montfortcollege.com or contact the office on 021 4501412 or 087 2472423 or email: montfortcollege@iol.ie
-END-
Editors Notes:
Tutors Biographies:
Majella Cullagh
Majella Cullagh is one of Ireland’s foremost international sopranos. She graduated from London’s prestigious National Opera Studio in 1993 and has had a twenty year career on the operatic stage. Her performances have brought her to many of the important houses in Europe; she’s performed in New York, Dallas, California and as far afield as New Zealand. Highlights include performances at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall, at the Royal Swedish Opera, the Royal Danish Opera, Opera di Verona, Opera de Toulon, Edinburgh festival and the Donizetti Festival in Bergamo.
While Majella’s career has been concentrated on the operatic stage, she also performs extensively in oratorio and on the concert platform. She has sung recitals in London, Milan, Amsterdam, Catania, La Coruna, Pesaro and Stuttgart.
Majella has an impressive discography with over thirty recordings on the Opera Rara, Chandos and Naxos labels. Her latest release, on the Naxos label, is Rossini’s Le Siege de Corinthe, recorded live at the Rossini Festival in Bad Wildbad, Germany.
Majella received first class honours in her Taught Master’s Degree from the CIT Cork School of Music in 2009. She has recently entered the education arena and has adjudicated at the Royal Academy of Music and the DIT Conservatory, Dublin. Majella is a member of the board of directors at the Cork Opera House.
Sarah Burke-Hochstedler - Masters Drama & Theatre Studies, BA in Music & English, BMus
Cork born Sarah is a graduate of UCC, obtaining a Masters degree in Drama and Theatre, BMus and BA in Music and English. Having trained with the Montfort College of Performing Arts, Sarah has enjoyed success in many fields of entertainment both at home and overseas. Most recently, she performed with world famous singing group Celtic Woman, touring USA, Canada and Australia in 2009 and 2010. At home, she played lead roles in many musicals and pantomimes at Cork Opera House and the Everyman Palace Theatre. Roles include the title role in Cinderella (2007), Sharpay in High School Musical (2007), Maid Marion in Babes in the Wood (2005), Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (2004) and Liesl in The Sound of Music (2004). Sarah also performed in Michael Collins – A Musical Drama, Peter Pan, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver, The Magic of the Musicals, An Enchanted Evening and Beatrice.
Opera performances include Dido and Aeneas, Figaro’s Wedding, Carmen, The Barber of Seville and Don Giovanni. She also performed in a Co-Opera Ireland production of Madama Butterfly which toured France in 2005. Sarah was a soloist at various concerts in UCC and with the Kinsale Light Opera Group. Recording credits include Tommy Fleming’s DVD and CD The Journey Home and as a member of the female chamber choir, Seraphim, on 12 Songs for Sonya and Seraphim Live at the Diseart. With Seraphim, Sarah toured Japan in 2006 and sang alongside The Celtic Tenors and Rebecca Storm. Sarah also sang the Irish National Anthem for the Mayor of Indianapolis at an Irish Hurling tournament held in Indiana in 2012.
Television and film work include Pádraig Trehy’s film My First Motion Picture, The Tudors, The Den, and as a singer on Carols from Cork (RTE). She also appeared on TV in the US, Australia and Japan. Sarah has completed acting exams with LAMDA and piano and singing exams with the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She choreographed Bouncers at the Everyman Palace and Ashton School’s productions of Disco Inferno, Guys and Dolls and The Music Man. She has also worked as musical director on Our Day Out. Sarah has won multiple prizes at Feis Maitiu for musical theatre and drama.
Sarah recently released her first solo EP One and the Same, which can be downloaded on iTunes. She also completed exams in speech and drama with LAMDA and piano and singing exams with the Royal Irish Academy of Music and the Victoria College, London.
Ms. Burke-Hochstedler performing - click here
Colm O’ Regan - B. MUS
Colm O'Regan began his musical education at age 12 by taking piano lessons with Jennifer Lee in his home town of Arklow. At 17 he enrolled in the Royal Irish Academy of Music where he studied piano for 2 years with Lance Coburn, during which time he was awarded the High Achievers for his result in grade 8 of the RIAM grading system. After secondary school he continued his studies with Gabriela Mayer at the CIT Cork School of Music where he completed his Bachelor of Music with first class honours in June 2011, majoring in piano performance and conducting.
He partook in the Erasmus programme in his 3rd year when he studied under Teresa Trevisan at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Tartini in Trieste, Italy. Since graduation he has been focussing on his conducting, winning several awards with his choirs, participating in the AOIC summer course and masterclasses, and had the pleasure of working closely with The King's Singers at a workshop for his chamber choir Voci Nuove.