Carmel Whelan is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and conductor from North Dublin. She began learning traditional Irish music at a young age and fostered a love of singing as a member of RTÉ’s Cór na nÓg. She went on to study music at DIT Conservatory of Music & Drama, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Music in Composition.

 

Carmel has since gone on to study choral music education with the Choral Music Institute under renowned choral conductors, Dr. Doreen Rao and Mandy Miller. In 2016, Carmel undertook a choral internship with Greg Beardsell, artistic director of the Irish Youth Choir, in association with Sing Ireland and Music Generation.

 

Carmel is the musical director of the acclaimed High Hopes Choir who featured in RTE’s award-winning documentary of the same name. She also directs Rejoice Gospel Choir, Discovery Gospel Choir, National Gallery of Ireland Choir, Dóchas Women’s Choir – Mountjoy Prison, Ossia Youth Choir, and Ború, amongst others.

 

Carmel worked as a choral assistant on RTE’s production, Centenary, which broadcast live from the Bord Gáis Theatre in 2016 and, most recently, as musical director on Baldoyle Musical Society’s production of Sweet Charity; Delaney Musical Society’s production of Spring Awakening in The Mill Theatre, Dundrum; and assistant musical director on The Promise Musical Drama in Swords Castle.

 

Carmel has performed in venues including The 3 Arena, The National Concert Hall, Bord Gáis Theatre, The Gaiety Theatre, The Olympia Theatre, Áras an Uachtarán, and the European Parliament, and has performed alongside critically acclaimed artists including RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Tigran Hamasyan & Arve Henrikson, The Script, Colm Wilkinson, Glen Hansard, Celine Byrne, Imelda May, John Sheahan, Christy Moore, Suzanne Savage, David Keenan, Phelim Drew, Saint Sister, Dermot Kennedy, The Hothouse Flowers, Ardú and the Savannah Philharmonic.

 

Recording credits include Homeward Bound – Street Lights; We All Fall Down – Glen Baker, Fairytale Of New York – Christy Moore & High Hopes Choir.