Teachers
EILEEN NOLAN – Founder & Director
Eileen Nolan founded the Montfort College of Performing Arts in 1962. Eileen qualified at Trinity College London and also at Sion Hill, Ireland. She worked as a peripatetic teacher working with students in Cork and Waterford. The school became recognised as one of the leading drama schools in Ireland and in 1963 singing and dancing classes were introduced to the curriculum.
Eileen is a member of the Association of LAMDA teachers, British Federation of Festivals and the Society of Speech & Drama teachers. Eileen has been twice nominated for the 'Cork Person of the Year' Awards for her contribution to the Arts over the last 70 years.
Eileen has thrilled Cork audiences over the years with countless award winning productions that has produced including 'West Side Story', 'No No Nanette', 'Mame', 'Hello Dolly', 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Oliver', 'Anything Goes', 'Camelot', 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas', 'The Music Man', 'Godspell'. 'Camp Rock', 'Pippin' and 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' to name but a few.
Over the past 70 years Eileen has worked to instill and foster a love of theatre to all students of the college that leads to enjoyment, and an enjoyment that will last a lifetime. She continues to inspire all who surrounds her.
TREVOR RYAN – Director
Trevor is a partner and joint Artistic Director of the Montfort College of Performing Arts.
He is a speech and drama teacher with over 30 years experience. He has worked both as a teacher and mentor to hundreds of young people, many of whom are now working professionally in the Arts both at home and abroad. In his professional life as a director, actor and producer he has been involved in over 100 productions both locally, nationally and internationally. He is also an award winning actor, director, producer and examiner.
Trevor’s love for the arts began at 12 years of age when he joined the Montfort College of Performing Arts. His first thread the boards in the children’s chorus of 'I Pagliacci' in 1984. Trevor's acting credits include Uncle Max in the critically acclaimed 'The Sound of Music', one half of the Ugly Sister’s in 'Cinderella' in 2007 and 2011 and most recently in 2014 as Jafar in 'Aladdin' - all at Cork Opera House. In all Trevor has performed, scripted and directed 26 pantomimes to date.
Trevor toured the country for 18 months in the smash hit hurling comedy 'The All Star Wars' directed by Bryan Flynn. Most recently Trevor directed 'Legally Blonde' and 'Tell Me On A Sunday' at the Everyman Theatre, the highly acclaimed 'Lost In Yonkers' for the Cork Repertory Company, 'Fame' the Musical, Disney's 'The Little Mermaid', 'Camp Rock', 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat', Relatively Speaking', 'Philadephia, Here I Come', An Enchanted Evening – A Tribute to Eileen Nolan', 'Suessical the Musical', 'The Witches', 'Bugsy Malone', and 'The Communication Cord' all at the Everyman Theatre. Other directing highlights include Cork Operatic Society’s critically acclaimed production of 'Sweeney Todd' at the Cork Opera House and Everyman Theatre, three sell-out runs of 'I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change' at the Cork Opera House and 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' in Rennes, France. He has also directed several award-winning shows including 'Brighton Beach Memoirs', 'Sylvia', 'The Gingerbread Lady', 'Bad Seed', 'Extremities', 'One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest' and the world premiere of the musical 'Say It Ain’t So Joe' in the Everyman Theatre. Trevor has been nominated on three separate occasions as Best Director in the Cork Critic Theatre Awards.
An accomplished actor Trevor has appeared in countless dramas, comedies and musicals over the years, favourite roles include Ralph in 'Our Country’s Good' for which he won a Best Supporting Actor award from ISDA, Martin in 'Brimstone & Treacle', Martin in 'Dangerous Corner' and Voltaire in 'Candide'.
Trevor holds three diplomas in teaching, acting and speech with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and a fellowship with the London College of Music - the highest level external diploma awarded by the college.
Currently Trevor is the resident co-writer and director of the Cork Opera House pantomime. He has directed the last 9 pantos - 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Cinderella', 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' 'Aladdin', 'Peter Pan', 'Nanny Nellie's Adventures in Pantoland', 'Sleeping Beauty' and this year -2022 'Jack & the Beanstalk'.
VALERIE O' LEARY - Drama
Valerie is qualified with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and has been teaching drama at the Montfort College for 34 years. Valerie has achieved huge success with her pupils, many of whom are now working professionally in the Arts. As well as a highly accomplished drama teacher Valerie is one of the most recognised actor’s in Cork. She has appeared on Cork stages in over 100 productions over a 40 year career. Previous roles include the character of Missus/Lady Gaa Gaa in the 'All Star Wars', a role she originated and nurtured since its inception in 2011 and throughout its national tour in 2012. Favourite theatre credits include 'Private Lives', 'An Ideal Husband', 'Crimes of the Heart', 'Bad Seed', 'Hamlet', 'Many Young Men of Twenty' and 'The Wake'.
More recently Valerie was seen in 'Alice In Wonderland' ,'Calendar Girls', 'Sunbeam Girls 1 and 2', 'The Good Sisters', 'Barefoot in the Park' and 'All My Sons' for which she won the Best Actress Award at the All Ireland Drama Festival. Musical and pantomime performances include 'Singing in the Rain', 'High School Musical', 'Man of La Mancha', 'Nunsense', 'Fiddler on the Roof', 'Carousel', 'Aladdin' and 'Sleeping Beauty'. She has also directed numerous school productions of her favourite musicals, most recently 'Aladdin' and 'Once Upon a Mattress'.
KAREN COTTER - Drama & Musical Theatre
Karen is qualified with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and has been teaching drama, dance and musical theatre with the Montfort College of Performing Arts for over 27 years. Karen is a member of the Association of LAMDA teachers. Karen is a well-established dancer, choreographer and actor and has appeared in more than 40 pantomimes in both the Cork Opera House and Everyman Theatre. Most recently she choreographed and directed 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' in Crosshaven National School.
SARAH MORIARTY - Dance & Musical Theatre
Sarah Moriarty began her training at Cork Arts Studio and continued her studies for 3 years at the CSN Dance course under the direction of Alan Foley. On graduating from CSN Sarah taught at the Alan Foley Academy of Dance and at the Cork School of Dance.
Sarah teaches dance in various secondary schools across the city and county and has choreographed many school shows including 'Hairspray', 'Sweet Charity' and 'Flashdance'. Sarah holds a modern dance qualification from the ISTD (The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). Sarah specialises in modern,contemporary, commercial and lyrical dance.
LAURI O' DRISCOLL - Musical Theatre
Laurie is a qualified English and history teacher working in Cobh Community College. She is the head of the English department and the director of adult education. Laurie co-ordinates courses designed to increase her students' work potential in the wider working world. Laurie has directed 'High School Musical' and 'Annie' in Cobh Community College and was instrumental in the setting up of the Glee project in association with the local primary schools. As a student of Montforts Laurie was a regular medal and cup winner in Feis Maitiu and the Ringaskiddy Youth festivals. She studied vocal performance with Francis Reilly. While a student in the Montfort College under the tuition of Valerie O' Leary Laurie performed in numerous pantomimes in the Cork Arts Theatre and Everyman Palace. Her favourite musical theatre roles in the college include Anna in 'The King and I', Beth in 'Oliver', Charity in 'Anything Goes and Taylor in 'High School Musical'. Laurie's passion is musical theatre. She instils a love of same in her students. Laurie's solo students and groups have been regular prize winners in Feis Maitiu. She directed 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' in the Firkin Crane 2013 and was Assistant Director on 'Beauty and the Beast' in 2014. Laurie has directed and choreographed 'Broadway Kidz' 2013, 2014 and 2015. Laurie is currently preparing for her fellowship diploma with the London College of Music; the highest degree in teaching and performance. Laurie most recently played the role of Goneril in King Lear with the Cork Shakespearean company directed by Declan Wolfe and Sinead Dunphy. She also directed Broadway Kidz 2016 and 2017. Laurie looks forward to a fun and creative year ahead with her students.
PAULA WHITNEY - Drama & Musical Theatre
Paula has been on the Montfort staff for the past 11 years. In addition to her qualifications with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art se also holds a diploma in both Theatre Studies and Sound Engineering and has completed courses in Accents and Dialects along with Performance in Theatre. Paula has worked with a number of schools in preparation for their Whole School Evaluation in designing their drama curriculum to reach the department of Education’s requirements.
She has taught language development as a resources teacher for a number of years.Paula is also an accomplished costume designer and has received awards for her costume and stage design. Since her early teens she has been an accomplished singer, performing as a lead vocalist regularly in various venues throughout the country.
Margaret McCarthy - Drama
Margaret is an Alumni of UCC with both an Honours Degree in Drama and Theatre Studies and an Honours Diploma in Music. She has an Associate, Licentiate and a Fellowship from Thames Valley University. She also has a Certificate in Music Management and Sound, CSN. Margaret is a teacher of Theatre for Young Audiences. This involves preparing productions in schools and studio for plays and examinations including auditions, research, casting, choreography and musical direction. Margaret also prepares students for the LAMDA examinations and Feis Maitiu Cork and has also been an examiner for the Crawford Council for Drama Communications. Margaret has worked extensively in the theatre in both amateur and professional productions. Her film credits include the award-winning short film ‘Razor Fish’ where she starred opposite Brenda Fricker. She has also worked with Cork Disability Support Service for the Visually Impaired as a narrator of audio books.
KAREN WALSH - Dance & Musical Theatre
Karen began dancing as a tiny tot with Eileen Cavanagh at the age of two and a half, appearing in her first show at the tender age of 3. Since the age of 5 she has appeared pantomime every year throughout Cork City. She has studied dance not only under Eileen Cavanagh But also under the direction of Donna Daly (Donna's Dance Studio), Mary Madden Gibson, Eric Gibson (Ballet Theatre Ireland) and Mary Weston (Montfort College) plus completed her studies with the Royal Academy of Dance. She also studied for her Gold Medal with LAMDA. As a Child she appeared on RTE’s children’s show :Anything Goes as Well as winning VJ competition on RTE’s Jo-Maxi. Karen was a member of the Irish Operatic Society where she appeared in many of their productions and was assistant choreographer for “Me and My Girl'. For many years she was a regular Medal and cup winner at the Ringaskiddy Youth festivals.She taught tap and Ballet for Ballet Theatre Ireland and for the Montfort’s before she moved to the US. While in the US she gained degrees in Theatre, Sociology and a master’s degree in Theatre Education.
While living in the States she studied dance under the direction of Keith Mottola (Steps off Broadway, The Tap Guru) in Boston. During this time, she also starred in many musicals, including the role of Nancy in 'Oliver', Mrs. Johnson in 'Blood Brothers', Anytime Annie in '42nd Street', Mini Faye in “Hello Dolly” and The Orange Girl in “Shout the Mod Musical”. Karen taught ballet and tap for - Once upon A Ballet, in Charleston, South Carolina. She has now returned to Ireland to pass on the knowledge, experience and training she gained while living here and in the US. Karen is a qualified dance teacher through the (I.D.T.A) - International Dance Teachers Association.
EMMA NASH - Singing
Irish soprano Emma Nash has been described as “outstanding...with a vivid stage presence” by The Arts Desk (Orpheus in the Underworld 2014), “splendid” by Opera Magazine (Der Vampyr 2014) and a soprano with a “exciting, individualised vocal colour” by Opera Today (Hansel and Gretel, Wexford Festival Opera 2015). Emma graduated with distinction from the M.A in Opera Performance course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where she was winner of the Lee Freeman Scholarship Prize, the Dolan Evans Award and a Leverhulme Scholarship. Recent engagements include the role of Valencienne in a concert performance of The Merry Widow at the Cork Opera House. This was the second instalment of The Cork Opera House Concert Performance Series following the success of La Traviata (June 2016) in which Emma sang the roles of Aninna and Flora. In 2015 Emma made her Wexford Festival Opera debut as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and chorus in the mainstage productions of Koanga and Le Pré aux Clercs. She also made her solo debut with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in December at The National Concert Hall under the baton of Christopher Bell. In May 2015 Emma enjoyed great success as Gilda in Opera Theatre Company’s national tour of Rigoletto directed by Selina Cartmel. She went on to cover Gilda for Longborough Festival Opera in July. In March 2017 Emma travelled to Naples Florida to sing at the Kind Mariners Charity Gala and appeared on CBS TV. In June she will premier a new opera Front of House by composer Tom Lane at the Cork Midsummer Festival before returning to Wexford Opera Festival for their 2017 season. There she will sing the role of Polly in the world premier of The Dubliners by Andrew Synott and the role of Handmaiden in Medea directed by Fiona Shaw.
Emma is passionate about contemporary opera having performed in a workshop performance of Irene Buckleys new opera Lament for Art O Leary as part of the 2015 Midsummer Festival in Cork. She played the role of Narrator in Brian Irvine’s new opera The Oldest Woman in Limerick with Wide Open Opera in 2014. She created the role of Joan in Irene Buckleys live score for The Passion of Joan of Arc which since premiering at the Cork French Film Festival has enjoyed successes at Glasgow Film Festival and Union Chapel London among others.
A student of Suzanne Murphy other notable roles include Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia (Irish Youth Opera) and Janthe in Der Vampyr (The Everyman/Cork Operatic Society).
Emma has appeared as a guest soloist for the Welsh National Opera with David Pountney at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival where she showcased the work of contemporary opera composer Elena Langer. She sang the role of Moppet in the Royal Philharmonic Society opera award winning production of Paul Bunyan with the Welsh National Youth Opera (Wales Millennium Centre).
Other highlights include soprano soloist with the RWCMD Badinerie Ensemble (St Martin in the Fields), Pamina in the The Magic Flute (RWCMD), Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia (RWCMD), The Controller (cover) in Flight (RWCMD), Eurydice in Orpheus in the Underworld (Opera’r Ddraig), First Niece in Britten’s Women at the Bath International Music Festival (RWCMD) and scenes from Ariadne auf Naxos (Zerbinetta), The Cunning Little Vixen (Vixen), and Falstaff (Nanetta) with the RWCMD Concert Orchestra all conducted by David Jones.
An alumna of Opera Theatre Company's Young Associate Artist Programme Emma is a recipient of a Help Musicians U.K Sybil Tutton Award and two Arts Council Travel and Training Awards.
NAOMI LUTTRELL - Dance, Acro & Musical Theatre
Naomi began her training in dance at the age of 4 studying a variety of styles including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, commercial, hip-hop and Irish. Naomi has performed in several professional productions including the Cork Opera House pantomimes and the Irish premiere of ‘The All Star Wars’ which toured across the country.
Naomi has been teaching dance for 10 years and has worked in a number of different dance schools across the city and county.
Naomi also teaches dance in various secondary schools and has choreographed many school shows including 'Grease', 'Wicked', ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and 'Legally Blonde'.
For the last 3 years she has choreographed the Montfort Christmas pantomime; “Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk and ‘Cinderella’. She also was one of the choreographers for 'Legally Blonde' in the Everyman Theatre.
Naomi holds a BA in Geography and Economics from UCC. During her time there she was a member of the jazz squad and choreographed routines for the intervarsity competitions.
After her time in UCC she spent 2 years studying different styles of dance in CSN and completed the course in Dance receiving a distinction. Naomi has experience in teaching jazz, acro-dance, modern, ballet, commercial and tap. Naomi is a qualified dance teacher with the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) and is a qualified acro-dance teacher with Acrobatic Arts, holding a module 1 and 2 qualification. She also holds a modern dance cert from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), a qualification to teach Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and DDMIX (Diverse Dance Mix) and holds an Alixa Flexibility Module 1 certificate.
Naomi specialises in acro dance, modern and jazz.
MICHELLE COOKE – Choir & Musical Director
Michelle completed her third level training in CIT Cork School of Music, where she was awarded First Class Honours in both the Bachelor of Music Degree and Master of Arts in Piano Performance. Michelle was the winner of the Sligo Feis Ceoil for two consecutive years and performed in Dublin’s Mansion House for the Alpha One Chopin Awards. She also performed Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor with the Clonakilty based Allegria Concert Orchestra. Her previous choral accompaniment experience includes ensembles such as CSM chamber choir Capella Lyrica, the CSM Junior Choir, and UCC Choral Society. Michelle also had the pleasure of being the musical director for Fermoy Community Youth Centre’s production of Alice in Pantoland in 2020.
Michelle has toured Ireland with renowned wedding and function band, the Heebie Jeebies. Having grown up with a love for musical theatre, Michelle has been involved in shows in her native Castlerea Musical Society, CIT Musical Society and Fermoy Musical Society. Previous roles include Little Red Riding Hood (Into the Woods), Kate Murphy (Titanic – The Musical) and Lorraine (All Shook Up).
She is now working as a primary school teacher and is also the musical director of both the Montfort Youth Choir and Montfort Company Musical Theatre classes.
RACHEL TWOHIG - Dance, Acro & Musical Theatre
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Rachel began her dance training with the Montfort College of Performing Arts at the age of 8. Since then she has taken classes in ballet, modern, tap, jazz and musical theatre and has also been a teaching assistant for 5 years. She has completed several examinations across a wide variety of styles of dance with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association). She has performed in many Montfort College productions including ‘Once Upon A Mattress’ , ‘Aladdin’, ‘Camp Rock’, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Fame’, ‘Broadway Kidz’ and numerous ‘Applause’
Her love for theatre was strengthened when she assisted with set and prop design for ‘Beauty and The Beast’ in the Cork Opera House. She has loved assisting with backstage work throughout the years with the Montfort College also. She is thrilled to be able to share her love for the arts this year and is really looking forward to it.
AISLING MCCARTHY - Drama
Aisling started off her journey with performing with the Montforts at the age of four. Over the years she has taken classes in Drama, Dance and Musical Theatre as well as taking part in many of the school's productions. Here, she spent a few years working with the teachers of the school as a classroom assistant and also took various LAMDA exams, receiving her Gold Medal in Acting among others.
She is currently a student in UCC studying Irish and History. Her passion for the Irish language has led to her being chairperson of the college's 'Cumann Drámaíochta '. Here she has directed three plays through Irish. For the 2018/19 academic year she was UCC's Irish Department's recepiant of Gradam na Gaeilge.
She also spent the summer of 2018 working in an overnight summer camp in Ontario, Canada. Here she worked as a Creative Arts Counsellor teaching Drama, Dance and Music daily. She also co-directed/ choreographed the camp's summer musical 'Mamma Mia '.
SINEAD CROWLEY - Drama, Dance & Musical Theatre
Sinéad has been passionate about performing from a young age. In her time as a student in the Montforts she took many classes and exams in drama, dance, and musical theatre. She also often assisted on summer camps and backstage on shows where she discovered a love of teaching and working with children. She went on to study Theatre and Drama Studies (BA Hons) in the MTU Cork School of Music where she received a first class honors degree. While studying in the School of Music she enjoyed taking modules in muiscal theatre and dance to compliment her drama training.
Sinéad’s recent credits in training include: Various Roles in a unique filmed production of Love and Information (dir. Regina Crowley, Stack Theatre, 2021), ‘Ned’ in The Halfpenny Opera (dir. Johnny Hanrahan, Stack Theatre, 2020), ‘Ensemble’ in Machinal (dir. Jenny Whyte, Stack Theatre, 2019).
She has previously assistant directed the school’s productions of Jack and The Beanstalk (dir. Eoghan Moloney, Firkin Crane, 2019) and Sleeping Beauty (dir. Eoghan Moloney, Firkin Crane, 2018).
Sinéad has also been assistant director on Earthquakes in London (dir. Regina Crowley, Stack Theatre, 2020) and Gone Full Havisham (dir. Regina Crowley, Father Mathew Hall, 2019).
KATE O' CALLAGHAN - Dance, Acro & Musical Theatre
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Kate has had a passion for dance from a very young age. She attended Wolfe Stage School for several years where she took many classes in drama, dance and musical theatre in addition to singing lessons during this time. She later attended ELJ Academy of Dance where she concentrated on hip hop classes and participated in many national competitions. She also attended Attridge Academy of Irish dancing also competed in many competitions at a national level.
Over the last 5 years Kate has worked for Kevin Rowe Events, a company based in Dublin who are a highly creative event management company. They have worked with clients from different sectors all across Ireland and the UK. Kate was a choreographer for Strictly Come Dancing, lip syncs and Broadway shows across Cork and Kerry for many GAA, Rugby clubs and corporate events. Her choreography included a variety of dance styles including ballroom, Latin, disco, swing and jazz.
Kate's recent training includes the full time dance course in CSN where she studied various dance styles including jazz, tap, contemporary, commercial and ballet. Kate is so excited to share her passion for performing with the children at Montforts.
ELLEN BRADY - Dance & Musical Theatre
Ellen started performing with The Montfort College when she was 3 years old and has continued ever since. She has trained in ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, modern dance and drama.
Throughout her years with the college, Ellen has partaken in many productions including ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Cinderella’ and many more as well as multiple ‘Applause’ shows. She has also taken IDTA exams for ballet and modern dance.
For the last four years, Ellen has been assisting in many classes including ballet, musical theatre and drama, as well as summer camps and back stage at shows. This is where she discovered her passion for working with children. Ellen is currently studying Early Childhood Education and Care.
Ellen is very excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to share her love for performing with children.
MUIREANN SLATTERY - Singing
Muireann graduated with a first class honours from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance where she studied the Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts (Voice). Her true passion is musical theatre and has been involved in musicals since the age of four. She has been involved with many musicals societies and youth theatres over the years. Most recent being Tipperary Musical Society and Excel Youth Theatre Group. She has also choreographed showcases for the UL Musical Theatre Society. Her favourite roles to date have been Chava in Fiddler on the Roof with Tipperary Musical Society and Mother Superior in Sister Act with Excel Youth Theatre Group.
Muireann found her love for teaching three years ago when she started at the Dwan Academy and has been teaching there since. As well as teaching, Muireann takes any performance opportunities that come her way, she has experience as a wedding singer and at many other functions. She also has been part of a number of award winning choirs.
Muireann loves helping students to reach their full potential and is very exciting to be joining the Montfort College.
NAOMI RYAN - Singing
Naomi graduated from Maynooth University with an honours Bachelors Degree in Music and is currently undertaking a MA in Music Performance, specialising in voice. Naomi has studied voice with the acclaimed Virginia Kerr since 2016, and started studying voice under the fantastic Majella Cullagh in 2020. No stranger to the stage, she has played a variety of roles such as Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Demeter in Cats.
A lover of Choral music Naomi has been involved with choirs since she was a child. Currently she is a member of the Irish Youth Choir and during her years in NUIM, she was a part of the award winning Maynooth Chamber Choir.
Naomi completed RIAM grades in both Classical and Musical Theatre up to senior certificate, with distinctions in both and was awarded the High Achiever Medal, performing in their High Achiever Showcase in the Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick.
SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM - Dance & Musical Theatre
Sophie began her dance training with the Montforts at the age of 4. She has trained in a variety of dance styles including tap, modern, jazz and contemporary. She has taken part in many Montfort College productions including ‘Snow White’, ‘Beauty and The Beast’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Aladdin’ and many ‘Applause’ shows.
Sophie has completed many dance exams with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association), including all 5 grades of the tap exams. Next year she looks forward to completing the intermediate tap exam as well as the level 3 dance teaching assistant exam with the IDTA.
Sophie has been a teaching assistant with The Montforts for 5 years and has assisted in dance and musical theatre, as well as the Montfort College summer camps and backstage at shows. She is excited to share her knowledge and love of performing with her students.
AMY O' CALLAGHAN - Dance & Musical Theatre
Amy began performing with the Montfort College of Performing Arts at the age of 7. Throughout her time there she took many dance classes such as jazz,ballet, and commercial as well as musical theatre and singing. She was also a member of the musical theatre company class and the Montfort Youth Choir. Amy has completed all five grades of the modern jazz dance exam with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) as well as her bronze, silver (solo and duet) and gold medals . She completed her bronze and silver medals in ballet with the IDTA also. She has completed up to grade 6 in Music Theatre exams with the London College of Music.
Amy’s taken part in numerous productions with the Montforts over the years such as ‘Camp Rock’, ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘Fame’, ‘The Adams Family’ and ‘Legally Blonde’ as well as many pantomimes such as ‘Aladdin’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Cinderella’, (in which she played the titular role).
Amy has been a class assistant for 3 years and has chaperoned backstage for many productions and is so excited for this new opportunity to share her love for performing with the students.
LUKE CONDON - Singing
Luke is a Cork based performer and singing teacher who has recently graduated from the MTU Cork School of Music Bachelor of Music Degree with First Class Honors studying under Mary Hegarty and Dr. Ryan Morgan. In his final year, Luke specialized in vocal performance and vocal pedagogy.
Luke took to the stage of the Cork Opera House as part of the chorus for John O’ Brien’s acclaimed new opera “Morrígan” (2022) and performed his final recital in the Curtis Auditorium of the Cork School of Music, entitled “Baroque to Broadway” (2023), where he guided the audience on a trip through some of the most enthralling classical repertoire and Broadway showstoppers. Since graduating, Luke has performed as a soloist with the Cork Youth Orchestra, acting as the understudy for west end superstar Killian Donnelly (2023). Luke was the Tenor artist next generation artist with Sestina Music and performed in their touring project “In praise of St. Cecilia” amongst other exciting performing opportunities throughout the year.
Luke also has a choral background being a member of award winning student choir MTU Glór Choral Society during his undergraduate degree. He particularly enjoyed being on the committee of this choir and the tenor section leader when the choir was awarded the “Ireland’s Choir of the Year” award at the Cork Choral Festival 2023. During his undergraduate degree, Luke also got to work with the acclaimed choir Madrigal 75, under the direction of James Taylor, where he got to perform exciting repertoire and sing as a soloist with the choir.
Luke has also recorded with Dublin based project choir CóR who recorded a selection of choral works to celebrate Irish composers. Luke also took an avid interest in Vocal Pedagogy and gave a presentation in which he discussed the rationale and benefits of cross-training the voice. With both experience in group classes and one to one tuition, teaching students of all ages has become one of the most satisfying and fulfilling aspects of Luke’s career.
Luke has also taken on roles such as Music Director of Bellvue Academy of Performing Arts 2022 productions of “Legally Blonde Jr.” and “Disney Fuss” Luke’s ethos of teaching and education is to explore and learn music in the most positive manner possible. Having fun and learning are the basis of loving music and Luke can not wait to help spread the joy of music education in Montforts.
SHAUNA TWOMEY O SULLIVAN - Hip Hop & Dance
Shauna began her training as a dancer at 5 years of age studying a various styles of dance including hip hop, commercial, jazz, tap and ballet. She studied commercial dance for 2 years in the Institute of the Arts Barcelona. She has competed in multiple dance competitions nationally and internationally. She completed several dance examinations with the IDTA and the Teachers Assistant course with the British Dance Arts Federation. She has taken part in various performances and videos with several dance schools and was selected to be a part of the Clickety Click hip hop crew with Flava Floors Hip hop studios. Shauna was also selected as a dancer for music videos and an album launch performance in the Firkin Crane theatre. She has performed in multiple Christmas pantomimes throughout the years including the Cork Opera House and acted as dance captain and choreography assistant for the Montfort College of performing arts Christmas pantomimes in the Firkin Crane in addition to taking part in their Autumn productions of ‘’The Little Mermaid” and “Fame the Musical” in the Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork.
Shauna is very excited to be joining the Montforts teaching staff and can’t wait to share her knowledge and love for dance with her students.
STEPHEN O' REGAN - Musical Theatre
Stephen has gained vast theatrical experience in the last two decades, working with several of London’s top west-end musicals. He has also worked with several of the World’s most successful professional dance and pantomime companies.
Training: Stephen was awarded a full 3-year Scholarship to Millennium Performing Arts (London), graduating with a Diploma in Professional Performance (2005).
Theatre credits include: Crazy For You playing the lead role of Bobby Child, Me And My Girl playing the role of Bob Baker, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (No 1. U.K. Tour), We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen (Dance Captain), Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Children’s ensemble director, Company, Dance Captain, Understudy Inventor), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas(Ensemble), We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen (Swing/Company), We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen (Asst. Dance Captain/Swing), Jack and the Beanstalk (Qdos Entertainment), Spirit of the Dance (Branson Missouri), Spirit of Broadway (U.S.A. Tour), Spirit of Christmas (U.S.A. Tour), “Eugene” in the big Summer Musical “GREASE” at the Cork Opera House.
T.V. credits include: We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen – Live performance on NRK2 for the Nordic World Ski Championship 2011. Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Live performance on T.V. 3′s Ireland’s Got Talent.
Choreography credits include: We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen (Choreographer, head of the promotional team) – Live performance on NRK2 for the Nordic World Ski Championship 2011. A Night at the Palace (The Palace Theatre), Sleeping Beauty (The Palace Theatre), The Music Man (The Palace Theatre), Jack & the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty & Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (The Palace Theatre), Oklahoma(Mitchelstown Musical Society), Hot Mikado (The Palace Theatre), Me & My Girl (INEC Killarney), Sister Act (The Palace Theatre).
LEAH MURRAY O' NEILL - Dance & Musical Theatre
Leah began her training with the Montfort College of Performing Arts when she was 14. She has trained in a variety of dance styles including Modern, Jazz, Ballet, and Commercial. Leah has completed all 5 grades of Modern Jazz with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association).
Leah has taken part in numerous productions with the Montfort College of Performing Arts over the years, including “Legally Blonde” in the Everyman Theatre in October 2018, and “Cinderella” in the Firkin Crane in 2019.
Leah has been a class assistant for the last 4 years, 2 of which was as an assistant teacher in the Douglas studio where she now teaches classes of her own. She is currently studying Sports Studies and Physical Education in UCC. Leah is thrilled to be able to share her love of performing arts with the children at Montforts.
JACK O' LEARY - DRAMA, MUSICAL THEATRE & DANCE
Jack is an Alumni of UCC Drama and Theatre Studies, and is an experienced actor, singer, dancer, and writer. He is a past student of Montfort College of Performing Arts, having studied drama, dance, solo singing, and musical theatre. Jack performed in many Montforts shows and musicals, including “The Addams Family”, “Fame”, “Aladdin”, “The Witches”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Drama Fever”, “Applause”, “A Grand Night for Singing”, as well as taking part in numerous Feis Maitiu competitions.
Jack holds qualifications in LAMDA Solo Acting Gold Medal (Grade 8), LCM Singing Grade 6, IDTA Dance, IDTA Musical Theatre Performer’s Certificate, and IDTA Musical Theatre Gold Medal.
In UCC, Jack group devised, and solo devised many performances, completed a stage management internship (GAITKRASH Theatre Company), worked with various practitioners, performed in Dragon of Shandon Parade. In 2022, UCC Dramat produced his pantomime of “Snow White”, which was nominated for Best Original Writing.
Jack was a speech and drama teacher at Rathpeacon National School with Montfort College of Performing Arts. Jack has performed with many companies such as Starlight Entertainment, TGMS Productions, Blizzard Entertainment, Live Music Promotions, Irish Heritage Trust, and Eventi Management. Jack was an activity leader and musical theatre teacher with Lingolingua (2022), and a camp leader with Starcamp, where he taught drama, singing, and dance (2023). In 2022, Jack worked as a Teamstar at Trabolgan Holiday Village for 8 months.
Jack has sung for Cobh Live at the Prom, Cobh Summer Swing, Cobh People’s Regatta, Cobh LGBT, Starlight Entertainment’s “Grease”, “Frozen” and “The Greatest Showman” Singalongs, and Fermoy Family Funday.
Theatre credits: Lucas Beineke in “The Addams Family” (ACTG/ Dir. Sinead Dunlea), Benedict Bumblebatch/Mad Hatter at the Fóta Gardens Easter Egg Hunt (Fóta House & Gardens), Dancer in “St Patrick’s Day Parade” (Eventi Management), Contestant in “Strictly Cobh Dancing 2022” (Cobh Glitz Group), Various characters in “Cork North Pole Outpost Experience” and “Ghoulsley’s Manor” (TGMS Productions), Scarecrow in “Halloween Spookfest” (Wonderworld Productions), Maleficent in “Sleeping Beauty” (UCC Dramat/UCC Musical Theatre Society), Aaron Schultz in “Legally Blonde” (UCC Musical Theatre Society), Ruby in “Ruby of Elsinore” (Artistic Exuberance), Warden Micháel Casey in “Cork City Gaol Museum 25th Anniversary” (UCC/Julie O’Leary), Scarecrow in “Over the Rainbow” (Carrignafoy Community College), and Junior/ Intermediate ensemble in “Aladdin”, “Sinbad and the Sea Pirates”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Red Riding Hood”, and “Jack and the Beanstalk (CADA/Everyman Palace).
TV & film credits: Matthew in “9 to 5” short film (Shane Kelleher), and Performer in “Grafton Street” music video (Jimmy Cotter/EPIC Productions).
Jack is delighted to be a teacher at Montfort College of Performing Arts, to share his passion of the arts with students, and to boost their confidence.
KAITLYNN COMPAGNO - DANCE & MUSICAL THEATRE
Kaitlynn began her training as a dancer at age 3 with Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance studying Ballet. She has also trained with Studio Wolfe for many years studying Modern Jazz, Commercial, Pom dance, Cheerleading and Classical ballet - as well as competing nationally and internationally with them for many years and winning many awards including a summer scholarship for House of Jazz UK.
Most recently, Kaitlynn completed her Diploma in Dance with Tramore Road Campus, led by director Jane Kelleghan – studying multiple dance styles and modules including Classical Ballet, Dance Performance, Dance Production and Theatre performance with Jon Witty.
Aswell as a competitive dancer, Kaitlynn has performed in many Cork Opera House pantomimes and main stage performances at Perform Festival. She also teaches for Sinead Sheppard School of Dance and has choreographed for Strictly Con Dancing for Cork Constitution.
Kaitlynn is very excited to be joining the Monforts team and sharing her passion for the arts with all students.
AOIFE HOSFORD - DANCE & MUSICAL THEATRE
Aoife began her training in CADA and then went on to train in London at Momentum Performing Arts Academy. She graduated with a Diploma in Musical Theatre (2015). She has completed her Dance teacher training DDI and DDE qualifications with the ISTD in both Tap and Modern. She also is a qualified Acrobatic Arts Module 1 teacher. Aoife has recently graduated from MTU Cork School of Music with a BA honours degree in Musical Theatre (2024).
While living in London Aoife taught and performed for ten years. Theatre Credits include: Singin’ in the Rain (Showtime, Adelphi Theatre London) Insomnia Dubai and Saudi Arabia (West End Worldwide), Beauty and the Beast Pantomime (Everyman Palace Theatre), and Dancer in Elements (Watford Palace Theatre).
She has performed in The Everyman Pantomimes from the age of four. Most recently while training at MTU, Aoife performed as Julie in Our House at the Everyman Palace Theatre). Aoife was also part of Theatre Tap London Company Class in 2019.
EILEEN NOLAN – Founder & Director
Eileen Nolan founded the Montfort College of Performing Arts in 1962. Eileen qualified at Trinity College London and also at Sion Hill, Ireland. She worked as a peripatetic teacher working with students in Cork and Waterford. The school became recognised as one of the leading drama schools in Ireland and in 1963 singing and dancing classes were introduced to the curriculum.
Eileen is a member of the Association of LAMDA teachers, British Federation of Festivals and the Society of Speech & Drama teachers. Eileen has been twice nominated for the 'Cork Person of the Year' Awards for her contribution to the Arts over the last 70 years.
Eileen has thrilled Cork audiences over the years with countless award winning productions that has produced including 'West Side Story', 'No No Nanette', 'Mame', 'Hello Dolly', 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Oliver', 'Anything Goes', 'Camelot', 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas', 'The Music Man', 'Godspell'. 'Camp Rock', 'Pippin' and 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' to name but a few.
Over the past 70 years Eileen has worked to instill and foster a love of theatre to all students of the college that leads to enjoyment, and an enjoyment that will last a lifetime. She continues to inspire all who surrounds her.
TREVOR RYAN – Director
Trevor is a partner and joint Artistic Director of the Montfort College of Performing Arts.
He is a speech and drama teacher with over 30 years experience. He has worked both as a teacher and mentor to hundreds of young people, many of whom are now working professionally in the Arts both at home and abroad. In his professional life as a director, actor and producer he has been involved in over 100 productions both locally, nationally and internationally. He is also an award winning actor, director, producer and examiner.
Trevor’s love for the arts began at 12 years of age when he joined the Montfort College of Performing Arts. His first thread the boards in the children’s chorus of 'I Pagliacci' in 1984. Trevor's acting credits include Uncle Max in the critically acclaimed 'The Sound of Music', one half of the Ugly Sister’s in 'Cinderella' in 2007 and 2011 and most recently in 2014 as Jafar in 'Aladdin' - all at Cork Opera House. In all Trevor has performed, scripted and directed 26 pantomimes to date.
Trevor toured the country for 18 months in the smash hit hurling comedy 'The All Star Wars' directed by Bryan Flynn. Most recently Trevor directed 'Legally Blonde' and 'Tell Me On A Sunday' at the Everyman Theatre, the highly acclaimed 'Lost In Yonkers' for the Cork Repertory Company, 'Fame' the Musical, Disney's 'The Little Mermaid', 'Camp Rock', 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat', Relatively Speaking', 'Philadephia, Here I Come', An Enchanted Evening – A Tribute to Eileen Nolan', 'Suessical the Musical', 'The Witches', 'Bugsy Malone', and 'The Communication Cord' all at the Everyman Theatre. Other directing highlights include Cork Operatic Society’s critically acclaimed production of 'Sweeney Todd' at the Cork Opera House and Everyman Theatre, three sell-out runs of 'I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change' at the Cork Opera House and 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' in Rennes, France. He has also directed several award-winning shows including 'Brighton Beach Memoirs', 'Sylvia', 'The Gingerbread Lady', 'Bad Seed', 'Extremities', 'One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest' and the world premiere of the musical 'Say It Ain’t So Joe' in the Everyman Theatre. Trevor has been nominated on three separate occasions as Best Director in the Cork Critic Theatre Awards.
An accomplished actor Trevor has appeared in countless dramas, comedies and musicals over the years, favourite roles include Ralph in 'Our Country’s Good' for which he won a Best Supporting Actor award from ISDA, Martin in 'Brimstone & Treacle', Martin in 'Dangerous Corner' and Voltaire in 'Candide'.
Trevor holds three diplomas in teaching, acting and speech with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and a fellowship with the London College of Music - the highest level external diploma awarded by the college.
Currently Trevor is the resident co-writer and director of the Cork Opera House pantomime. He has directed the last 9 pantos - 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Cinderella', 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' 'Aladdin', 'Peter Pan', 'Nanny Nellie's Adventures in Pantoland', 'Sleeping Beauty' and this year -2022 'Jack & the Beanstalk'.
VALERIE O' LEARY - Drama
Valerie is qualified with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and has been teaching drama at the Montfort College for 34 years. Valerie has achieved huge success with her pupils, many of whom are now working professionally in the Arts. As well as a highly accomplished drama teacher Valerie is one of the most recognised actor’s in Cork. She has appeared on Cork stages in over 100 productions over a 40 year career. Previous roles include the character of Missus/Lady Gaa Gaa in the 'All Star Wars', a role she originated and nurtured since its inception in 2011 and throughout its national tour in 2012. Favourite theatre credits include 'Private Lives', 'An Ideal Husband', 'Crimes of the Heart', 'Bad Seed', 'Hamlet', 'Many Young Men of Twenty' and 'The Wake'.
More recently Valerie was seen in 'Alice In Wonderland' ,'Calendar Girls', 'Sunbeam Girls 1 and 2', 'The Good Sisters', 'Barefoot in the Park' and 'All My Sons' for which she won the Best Actress Award at the All Ireland Drama Festival. Musical and pantomime performances include 'Singing in the Rain', 'High School Musical', 'Man of La Mancha', 'Nunsense', 'Fiddler on the Roof', 'Carousel', 'Aladdin' and 'Sleeping Beauty'. She has also directed numerous school productions of her favourite musicals, most recently 'Aladdin' and 'Once Upon a Mattress'.
KAREN COTTER - Drama & Musical Theatre
Karen is qualified with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and has been teaching drama, dance and musical theatre with the Montfort College of Performing Arts for over 27 years. Karen is a member of the Association of LAMDA teachers. Karen is a well-established dancer, choreographer and actor and has appeared in more than 40 pantomimes in both the Cork Opera House and Everyman Theatre. Most recently she choreographed and directed 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' in Crosshaven National School.
SARAH MORIARTY - Dance & Musical Theatre
Sarah Moriarty began her training at Cork Arts Studio and continued her studies for 3 years at the CSN Dance course under the direction of Alan Foley. On graduating from CSN Sarah taught at the Alan Foley Academy of Dance and at the Cork School of Dance.
Sarah teaches dance in various secondary schools across the city and county and has choreographed many school shows including 'Hairspray', 'Sweet Charity' and 'Flashdance'. Sarah holds a modern dance qualification from the ISTD (The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). Sarah specialises in modern,contemporary, commercial and lyrical dance.
LAURI O' DRISCOLL - Musical Theatre
Laurie is a qualified English and history teacher working in Cobh Community College. She is the head of the English department and the director of adult education. Laurie co-ordinates courses designed to increase her students' work potential in the wider working world. Laurie has directed 'High School Musical' and 'Annie' in Cobh Community College and was instrumental in the setting up of the Glee project in association with the local primary schools. As a student of Montforts Laurie was a regular medal and cup winner in Feis Maitiu and the Ringaskiddy Youth festivals. She studied vocal performance with Francis Reilly. While a student in the Montfort College under the tuition of Valerie O' Leary Laurie performed in numerous pantomimes in the Cork Arts Theatre and Everyman Palace. Her favourite musical theatre roles in the college include Anna in 'The King and I', Beth in 'Oliver', Charity in 'Anything Goes and Taylor in 'High School Musical'. Laurie's passion is musical theatre. She instils a love of same in her students. Laurie's solo students and groups have been regular prize winners in Feis Maitiu. She directed 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' in the Firkin Crane 2013 and was Assistant Director on 'Beauty and the Beast' in 2014. Laurie has directed and choreographed 'Broadway Kidz' 2013, 2014 and 2015. Laurie is currently preparing for her fellowship diploma with the London College of Music; the highest degree in teaching and performance. Laurie most recently played the role of Goneril in King Lear with the Cork Shakespearean company directed by Declan Wolfe and Sinead Dunphy. She also directed Broadway Kidz 2016 and 2017. Laurie looks forward to a fun and creative year ahead with her students.
PAULA WHITNEY - Drama & Musical Theatre
Paula has been on the Montfort staff for the past 11 years. In addition to her qualifications with the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art se also holds a diploma in both Theatre Studies and Sound Engineering and has completed courses in Accents and Dialects along with Performance in Theatre. Paula has worked with a number of schools in preparation for their Whole School Evaluation in designing their drama curriculum to reach the department of Education’s requirements.
She has taught language development as a resources teacher for a number of years.Paula is also an accomplished costume designer and has received awards for her costume and stage design. Since her early teens she has been an accomplished singer, performing as a lead vocalist regularly in various venues throughout the country.
Margaret McCarthy - Drama
Margaret is an Alumni of UCC with both an Honours Degree in Drama and Theatre Studies and an Honours Diploma in Music. She has an Associate, Licentiate and a Fellowship from Thames Valley University. She also has a Certificate in Music Management and Sound, CSN. Margaret is a teacher of Theatre for Young Audiences. This involves preparing productions in schools and studio for plays and examinations including auditions, research, casting, choreography and musical direction. Margaret also prepares students for the LAMDA examinations and Feis Maitiu Cork and has also been an examiner for the Crawford Council for Drama Communications. Margaret has worked extensively in the theatre in both amateur and professional productions. Her film credits include the award-winning short film ‘Razor Fish’ where she starred opposite Brenda Fricker. She has also worked with Cork Disability Support Service for the Visually Impaired as a narrator of audio books.
KAREN WALSH - Dance & Musical Theatre
Karen began dancing as a tiny tot with Eileen Cavanagh at the age of two and a half, appearing in her first show at the tender age of 3. Since the age of 5 she has appeared pantomime every year throughout Cork City. She has studied dance not only under Eileen Cavanagh But also under the direction of Donna Daly (Donna's Dance Studio), Mary Madden Gibson, Eric Gibson (Ballet Theatre Ireland) and Mary Weston (Montfort College) plus completed her studies with the Royal Academy of Dance. She also studied for her Gold Medal with LAMDA. As a Child she appeared on RTE’s children’s show :Anything Goes as Well as winning VJ competition on RTE’s Jo-Maxi. Karen was a member of the Irish Operatic Society where she appeared in many of their productions and was assistant choreographer for “Me and My Girl'. For many years she was a regular Medal and cup winner at the Ringaskiddy Youth festivals.She taught tap and Ballet for Ballet Theatre Ireland and for the Montfort’s before she moved to the US. While in the US she gained degrees in Theatre, Sociology and a master’s degree in Theatre Education.
While living in the States she studied dance under the direction of Keith Mottola (Steps off Broadway, The Tap Guru) in Boston. During this time, she also starred in many musicals, including the role of Nancy in 'Oliver', Mrs. Johnson in 'Blood Brothers', Anytime Annie in '42nd Street', Mini Faye in “Hello Dolly” and The Orange Girl in “Shout the Mod Musical”. Karen taught ballet and tap for - Once upon A Ballet, in Charleston, South Carolina. She has now returned to Ireland to pass on the knowledge, experience and training she gained while living here and in the US. Karen is a qualified dance teacher through the (I.D.T.A) - International Dance Teachers Association.
EMMA NASH - Singing
Irish soprano Emma Nash has been described as “outstanding...with a vivid stage presence” by The Arts Desk (Orpheus in the Underworld 2014), “splendid” by Opera Magazine (Der Vampyr 2014) and a soprano with a “exciting, individualised vocal colour” by Opera Today (Hansel and Gretel, Wexford Festival Opera 2015). Emma graduated with distinction from the M.A in Opera Performance course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where she was winner of the Lee Freeman Scholarship Prize, the Dolan Evans Award and a Leverhulme Scholarship. Recent engagements include the role of Valencienne in a concert performance of The Merry Widow at the Cork Opera House. This was the second instalment of The Cork Opera House Concert Performance Series following the success of La Traviata (June 2016) in which Emma sang the roles of Aninna and Flora. In 2015 Emma made her Wexford Festival Opera debut as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and chorus in the mainstage productions of Koanga and Le Pré aux Clercs. She also made her solo debut with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in December at The National Concert Hall under the baton of Christopher Bell. In May 2015 Emma enjoyed great success as Gilda in Opera Theatre Company’s national tour of Rigoletto directed by Selina Cartmel. She went on to cover Gilda for Longborough Festival Opera in July. In March 2017 Emma travelled to Naples Florida to sing at the Kind Mariners Charity Gala and appeared on CBS TV. In June she will premier a new opera Front of House by composer Tom Lane at the Cork Midsummer Festival before returning to Wexford Opera Festival for their 2017 season. There she will sing the role of Polly in the world premier of The Dubliners by Andrew Synott and the role of Handmaiden in Medea directed by Fiona Shaw.
Emma is passionate about contemporary opera having performed in a workshop performance of Irene Buckleys new opera Lament for Art O Leary as part of the 2015 Midsummer Festival in Cork. She played the role of Narrator in Brian Irvine’s new opera The Oldest Woman in Limerick with Wide Open Opera in 2014. She created the role of Joan in Irene Buckleys live score for The Passion of Joan of Arc which since premiering at the Cork French Film Festival has enjoyed successes at Glasgow Film Festival and Union Chapel London among others.
A student of Suzanne Murphy other notable roles include Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia (Irish Youth Opera) and Janthe in Der Vampyr (The Everyman/Cork Operatic Society).
Emma has appeared as a guest soloist for the Welsh National Opera with David Pountney at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival where she showcased the work of contemporary opera composer Elena Langer. She sang the role of Moppet in the Royal Philharmonic Society opera award winning production of Paul Bunyan with the Welsh National Youth Opera (Wales Millennium Centre).
Other highlights include soprano soloist with the RWCMD Badinerie Ensemble (St Martin in the Fields), Pamina in the The Magic Flute (RWCMD), Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia (RWCMD), The Controller (cover) in Flight (RWCMD), Eurydice in Orpheus in the Underworld (Opera’r Ddraig), First Niece in Britten’s Women at the Bath International Music Festival (RWCMD) and scenes from Ariadne auf Naxos (Zerbinetta), The Cunning Little Vixen (Vixen), and Falstaff (Nanetta) with the RWCMD Concert Orchestra all conducted by David Jones.
An alumna of Opera Theatre Company's Young Associate Artist Programme Emma is a recipient of a Help Musicians U.K Sybil Tutton Award and two Arts Council Travel and Training Awards.
NAOMI LUTTRELL - Dance, Acro & Musical Theatre
Naomi began her training in dance at the age of 4 studying a variety of styles including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, commercial, hip-hop and Irish. Naomi has performed in several professional productions including the Cork Opera House pantomimes and the Irish premiere of ‘The All Star Wars’ which toured across the country.
Naomi has been teaching dance for 10 years and has worked in a number of different dance schools across the city and county.
Naomi also teaches dance in various secondary schools and has choreographed many school shows including 'Grease', 'Wicked', ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and 'Legally Blonde'.
For the last 3 years she has choreographed the Montfort Christmas pantomime; “Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk and ‘Cinderella’. She also was one of the choreographers for 'Legally Blonde' in the Everyman Theatre.
Naomi holds a BA in Geography and Economics from UCC. During her time there she was a member of the jazz squad and choreographed routines for the intervarsity competitions.
After her time in UCC she spent 2 years studying different styles of dance in CSN and completed the course in Dance receiving a distinction. Naomi has experience in teaching jazz, acro-dance, modern, ballet, commercial and tap. Naomi is a qualified dance teacher with the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) and is a qualified acro-dance teacher with Acrobatic Arts, holding a module 1 and 2 qualification. She also holds a modern dance cert from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), a qualification to teach Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and DDMIX (Diverse Dance Mix) and holds an Alixa Flexibility Module 1 certificate.
Naomi specialises in acro dance, modern and jazz.
MICHELLE COOKE – Choir & Musical Director
Michelle completed her third level training in CIT Cork School of Music, where she was awarded First Class Honours in both the Bachelor of Music Degree and Master of Arts in Piano Performance. Michelle was the winner of the Sligo Feis Ceoil for two consecutive years and performed in Dublin’s Mansion House for the Alpha One Chopin Awards. She also performed Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor with the Clonakilty based Allegria Concert Orchestra. Her previous choral accompaniment experience includes ensembles such as CSM chamber choir Capella Lyrica, the CSM Junior Choir, and UCC Choral Society. Michelle also had the pleasure of being the musical director for Fermoy Community Youth Centre’s production of Alice in Pantoland in 2020.
Michelle has toured Ireland with renowned wedding and function band, the Heebie Jeebies. Having grown up with a love for musical theatre, Michelle has been involved in shows in her native Castlerea Musical Society, CIT Musical Society and Fermoy Musical Society. Previous roles include Little Red Riding Hood (Into the Woods), Kate Murphy (Titanic – The Musical) and Lorraine (All Shook Up).
She is now working as a primary school teacher and is also the musical director of both the Montfort Youth Choir and Montfort Company Musical Theatre classes.
RACHEL TWOHIG - Dance, Acro & Musical Theatre
Rachel began her dance training with the Montfort College of Performing Arts at the age of 8. Since then she has taken classes in ballet, modern, tap, jazz and musical theatre and has also been a teaching assistant for 5 years. She has completed several examinations across a wide variety of styles of dance with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association). She has performed in many Montfort College productions including ‘Once Upon A Mattress’ , ‘Aladdin’, ‘Camp Rock’, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Fame’, ‘Broadway Kidz’ and numerous ‘Applause’
Her love for theatre was strengthened when she assisted with set and prop design for ‘Beauty and The Beast’ in the Cork Opera House. She has loved assisting with backstage work throughout the years with the Montfort College also. She is thrilled to be able to share her love for the arts this year and is really looking forward to it.
AISLING MCCARTHY - Drama
Aisling started off her journey with performing with the Montforts at the age of four. Over the years she has taken classes in Drama, Dance and Musical Theatre as well as taking part in many of the school's productions. Here, she spent a few years working with the teachers of the school as a classroom assistant and also took various LAMDA exams, receiving her Gold Medal in Acting among others.
She is currently a student in UCC studying Irish and History. Her passion for the Irish language has led to her being chairperson of the college's 'Cumann Drámaíochta '. Here she has directed three plays through Irish. For the 2018/19 academic year she was UCC's Irish Department's recepiant of Gradam na Gaeilge.
She also spent the summer of 2018 working in an overnight summer camp in Ontario, Canada. Here she worked as a Creative Arts Counsellor teaching Drama, Dance and Music daily. She also co-directed/ choreographed the camp's summer musical 'Mamma Mia '.
SINEAD CROWLEY - Drama, Dance & Musical Theatre
Sinéad has been passionate about performing from a young age. In her time as a student in the Montforts she took many classes and exams in drama, dance, and musical theatre. She also often assisted on summer camps and backstage on shows where she discovered a love of teaching and working with children. She went on to study Theatre and Drama Studies (BA Hons) in the MTU Cork School of Music where she received a first class honors degree. While studying in the School of Music she enjoyed taking modules in muiscal theatre and dance to compliment her drama training.
Sinéad’s recent credits in training include: Various Roles in a unique filmed production of Love and Information (dir. Regina Crowley, Stack Theatre, 2021), ‘Ned’ in The Halfpenny Opera (dir. Johnny Hanrahan, Stack Theatre, 2020), ‘Ensemble’ in Machinal (dir. Jenny Whyte, Stack Theatre, 2019).
She has previously assistant directed the school’s productions of Jack and The Beanstalk (dir. Eoghan Moloney, Firkin Crane, 2019) and Sleeping Beauty (dir. Eoghan Moloney, Firkin Crane, 2018).
Sinéad has also been assistant director on Earthquakes in London (dir. Regina Crowley, Stack Theatre, 2020) and Gone Full Havisham (dir. Regina Crowley, Father Mathew Hall, 2019).
KATE O' CALLAGHAN - Dance, Acro & Musical Theatre
Kate has had a passion for dance from a very young age. She attended Wolfe Stage School for several years where she took many classes in drama, dance and musical theatre in addition to singing lessons during this time. She later attended ELJ Academy of Dance where she concentrated on hip hop classes and participated in many national competitions. She also attended Attridge Academy of Irish dancing also competed in many competitions at a national level.
Over the last 5 years Kate has worked for Kevin Rowe Events, a company based in Dublin who are a highly creative event management company. They have worked with clients from different sectors all across Ireland and the UK. Kate was a choreographer for Strictly Come Dancing, lip syncs and Broadway shows across Cork and Kerry for many GAA, Rugby clubs and corporate events. Her choreography included a variety of dance styles including ballroom, Latin, disco, swing and jazz.
Kate's recent training includes the full time dance course in CSN where she studied various dance styles including jazz, tap, contemporary, commercial and ballet. Kate is so excited to share her passion for performing with the children at Montforts.
ELLEN BRADY - Dance & Musical Theatre
Ellen started performing with The Montfort College when she was 3 years old and has continued ever since. She has trained in ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, modern dance and drama.
Throughout her years with the college, Ellen has partaken in many productions including ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Cinderella’ and many more as well as multiple ‘Applause’ shows. She has also taken IDTA exams for ballet and modern dance.
For the last four years, Ellen has been assisting in many classes including ballet, musical theatre and drama, as well as summer camps and back stage at shows. This is where she discovered her passion for working with children. Ellen is currently studying Early Childhood Education and Care.
Ellen is very excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to share her love for performing with children.
MUIREANN SLATTERY - Singing
Muireann graduated with a first class honours from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance where she studied the Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts (Voice). Her true passion is musical theatre and has been involved in musicals since the age of four. She has been involved with many musicals societies and youth theatres over the years. Most recent being Tipperary Musical Society and Excel Youth Theatre Group. She has also choreographed showcases for the UL Musical Theatre Society. Her favourite roles to date have been Chava in Fiddler on the Roof with Tipperary Musical Society and Mother Superior in Sister Act with Excel Youth Theatre Group.
Muireann found her love for teaching three years ago when she started at the Dwan Academy and has been teaching there since. As well as teaching, Muireann takes any performance opportunities that come her way, she has experience as a wedding singer and at many other functions. She also has been part of a number of award winning choirs.
Muireann loves helping students to reach their full potential and is very exciting to be joining the Montfort College.
NAOMI RYAN - Singing
Naomi graduated from Maynooth University with an honours Bachelors Degree in Music and is currently undertaking a MA in Music Performance, specialising in voice. Naomi has studied voice with the acclaimed Virginia Kerr since 2016, and started studying voice under the fantastic Majella Cullagh in 2020. No stranger to the stage, she has played a variety of roles such as Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Demeter in Cats.
A lover of Choral music Naomi has been involved with choirs since she was a child. Currently she is a member of the Irish Youth Choir and during her years in NUIM, she was a part of the award winning Maynooth Chamber Choir.
Naomi completed RIAM grades in both Classical and Musical Theatre up to senior certificate, with distinctions in both and was awarded the High Achiever Medal, performing in their High Achiever Showcase in the Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick.
SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM - Dance & Musical Theatre
Sophie began her dance training with the Montforts at the age of 4. She has trained in a variety of dance styles including tap, modern, jazz and contemporary. She has taken part in many Montfort College productions including ‘Snow White’, ‘Beauty and The Beast’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Aladdin’ and many ‘Applause’ shows.
Sophie has completed many dance exams with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association), including all 5 grades of the tap exams. Next year she looks forward to completing the intermediate tap exam as well as the level 3 dance teaching assistant exam with the IDTA.
Sophie has been a teaching assistant with The Montforts for 5 years and has assisted in dance and musical theatre, as well as the Montfort College summer camps and backstage at shows. She is excited to share her knowledge and love of performing with her students.
AMY O' CALLAGHAN - Dance & Musical Theatre
Amy began performing with the Montfort College of Performing Arts at the age of 7. Throughout her time there she took many dance classes such as jazz,ballet, and commercial as well as musical theatre and singing. She was also a member of the musical theatre company class and the Montfort Youth Choir. Amy has completed all five grades of the modern jazz dance exam with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) as well as her bronze, silver (solo and duet) and gold medals . She completed her bronze and silver medals in ballet with the IDTA also. She has completed up to grade 6 in Music Theatre exams with the London College of Music.
Amy’s taken part in numerous productions with the Montforts over the years such as ‘Camp Rock’, ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘Fame’, ‘The Adams Family’ and ‘Legally Blonde’ as well as many pantomimes such as ‘Aladdin’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Cinderella’, (in which she played the titular role).
Amy has been a class assistant for 3 years and has chaperoned backstage for many productions and is so excited for this new opportunity to share her love for performing with the students.
LUKE CONDON - Singing
Luke is a Cork based performer and singing teacher who has recently graduated from the MTU Cork School of Music Bachelor of Music Degree with First Class Honors studying under Mary Hegarty and Dr. Ryan Morgan. In his final year, Luke specialized in vocal performance and vocal pedagogy.
Luke took to the stage of the Cork Opera House as part of the chorus for John O’ Brien’s acclaimed new opera “Morrígan” (2022) and performed his final recital in the Curtis Auditorium of the Cork School of Music, entitled “Baroque to Broadway” (2023), where he guided the audience on a trip through some of the most enthralling classical repertoire and Broadway showstoppers. Since graduating, Luke has performed as a soloist with the Cork Youth Orchestra, acting as the understudy for west end superstar Killian Donnelly (2023). Luke was the Tenor artist next generation artist with Sestina Music and performed in their touring project “In praise of St. Cecilia” amongst other exciting performing opportunities throughout the year.
Luke also has a choral background being a member of award winning student choir MTU Glór Choral Society during his undergraduate degree. He particularly enjoyed being on the committee of this choir and the tenor section leader when the choir was awarded the “Ireland’s Choir of the Year” award at the Cork Choral Festival 2023. During his undergraduate degree, Luke also got to work with the acclaimed choir Madrigal 75, under the direction of James Taylor, where he got to perform exciting repertoire and sing as a soloist with the choir.
Luke has also recorded with Dublin based project choir CóR who recorded a selection of choral works to celebrate Irish composers. Luke also took an avid interest in Vocal Pedagogy and gave a presentation in which he discussed the rationale and benefits of cross-training the voice. With both experience in group classes and one to one tuition, teaching students of all ages has become one of the most satisfying and fulfilling aspects of Luke’s career.
Luke has also taken on roles such as Music Director of Bellvue Academy of Performing Arts 2022 productions of “Legally Blonde Jr.” and “Disney Fuss” Luke’s ethos of teaching and education is to explore and learn music in the most positive manner possible. Having fun and learning are the basis of loving music and Luke can not wait to help spread the joy of music education in Montforts.
SHAUNA TWOMEY O SULLIVAN - Hip Hop & Dance
Shauna began her training as a dancer at 5 years of age studying a various styles of dance including hip hop, commercial, jazz, tap and ballet. She studied commercial dance for 2 years in the Institute of the Arts Barcelona. She has competed in multiple dance competitions nationally and internationally. She completed several dance examinations with the IDTA and the Teachers Assistant course with the British Dance Arts Federation. She has taken part in various performances and videos with several dance schools and was selected to be a part of the Clickety Click hip hop crew with Flava Floors Hip hop studios. Shauna was also selected as a dancer for music videos and an album launch performance in the Firkin Crane theatre. She has performed in multiple Christmas pantomimes throughout the years including the Cork Opera House and acted as dance captain and choreography assistant for the Montfort College of performing arts Christmas pantomimes in the Firkin Crane in addition to taking part in their Autumn productions of ‘’The Little Mermaid” and “Fame the Musical” in the Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork.
Shauna is very excited to be joining the Montforts teaching staff and can’t wait to share her knowledge and love for dance with her students.
STEPHEN O' REGAN - Musical Theatre
Stephen has gained vast theatrical experience in the last two decades, working with several of London’s top west-end musicals. He has also worked with several of the World’s most successful professional dance and pantomime companies.
Training: Stephen was awarded a full 3-year Scholarship to Millennium Performing Arts (London), graduating with a Diploma in Professional Performance (2005).
Theatre credits include: Crazy For You playing the lead role of Bobby Child, Me And My Girl playing the role of Bob Baker, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (No 1. U.K. Tour), We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen (Dance Captain), Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Children’s ensemble director, Company, Dance Captain, Understudy Inventor), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas(Ensemble), We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen (Swing/Company), We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen (Asst. Dance Captain/Swing), Jack and the Beanstalk (Qdos Entertainment), Spirit of the Dance (Branson Missouri), Spirit of Broadway (U.S.A. Tour), Spirit of Christmas (U.S.A. Tour), “Eugene” in the big Summer Musical “GREASE” at the Cork Opera House.
T.V. credits include: We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen – Live performance on NRK2 for the Nordic World Ski Championship 2011. Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Live performance on T.V. 3′s Ireland’s Got Talent.
Choreography credits include: We Will Rock You by Ben Elton and Queen (Choreographer, head of the promotional team) – Live performance on NRK2 for the Nordic World Ski Championship 2011. A Night at the Palace (The Palace Theatre), Sleeping Beauty (The Palace Theatre), The Music Man (The Palace Theatre), Jack & the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty & Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (The Palace Theatre), Oklahoma(Mitchelstown Musical Society), Hot Mikado (The Palace Theatre), Me & My Girl (INEC Killarney), Sister Act (The Palace Theatre).
LEAH MURRAY O' NEILL - Dance & Musical Theatre
Leah began her training with the Montfort College of Performing Arts when she was 14. She has trained in a variety of dance styles including Modern, Jazz, Ballet, and Commercial. Leah has completed all 5 grades of Modern Jazz with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association).
Leah has taken part in numerous productions with the Montfort College of Performing Arts over the years, including “Legally Blonde” in the Everyman Theatre in October 2018, and “Cinderella” in the Firkin Crane in 2019.
Leah has been a class assistant for the last 4 years, 2 of which was as an assistant teacher in the Douglas studio where she now teaches classes of her own. She is currently studying Sports Studies and Physical Education in UCC. Leah is thrilled to be able to share her love of performing arts with the children at Montforts.
JACK O' LEARY - DRAMA, MUSICAL THEATRE & DANCE
Jack is an Alumni of UCC Drama and Theatre Studies, and is an experienced actor, singer, dancer, and writer. He is a past student of Montfort College of Performing Arts, having studied drama, dance, solo singing, and musical theatre. Jack performed in many Montforts shows and musicals, including “The Addams Family”, “Fame”, “Aladdin”, “The Witches”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Drama Fever”, “Applause”, “A Grand Night for Singing”, as well as taking part in numerous Feis Maitiu competitions.
Jack holds qualifications in LAMDA Solo Acting Gold Medal (Grade 8), LCM Singing Grade 6, IDTA Dance, IDTA Musical Theatre Performer’s Certificate, and IDTA Musical Theatre Gold Medal.
In UCC, Jack group devised, and solo devised many performances, completed a stage management internship (GAITKRASH Theatre Company), worked with various practitioners, performed in Dragon of Shandon Parade. In 2022, UCC Dramat produced his pantomime of “Snow White”, which was nominated for Best Original Writing.
Jack was a speech and drama teacher at Rathpeacon National School with Montfort College of Performing Arts. Jack has performed with many companies such as Starlight Entertainment, TGMS Productions, Blizzard Entertainment, Live Music Promotions, Irish Heritage Trust, and Eventi Management. Jack was an activity leader and musical theatre teacher with Lingolingua (2022), and a camp leader with Starcamp, where he taught drama, singing, and dance (2023). In 2022, Jack worked as a Teamstar at Trabolgan Holiday Village for 8 months.
Jack has sung for Cobh Live at the Prom, Cobh Summer Swing, Cobh People’s Regatta, Cobh LGBT, Starlight Entertainment’s “Grease”, “Frozen” and “The Greatest Showman” Singalongs, and Fermoy Family Funday.
Theatre credits: Lucas Beineke in “The Addams Family” (ACTG/ Dir. Sinead Dunlea), Benedict Bumblebatch/Mad Hatter at the Fóta Gardens Easter Egg Hunt (Fóta House & Gardens), Dancer in “St Patrick’s Day Parade” (Eventi Management), Contestant in “Strictly Cobh Dancing 2022” (Cobh Glitz Group), Various characters in “Cork North Pole Outpost Experience” and “Ghoulsley’s Manor” (TGMS Productions), Scarecrow in “Halloween Spookfest” (Wonderworld Productions), Maleficent in “Sleeping Beauty” (UCC Dramat/UCC Musical Theatre Society), Aaron Schultz in “Legally Blonde” (UCC Musical Theatre Society), Ruby in “Ruby of Elsinore” (Artistic Exuberance), Warden Micháel Casey in “Cork City Gaol Museum 25th Anniversary” (UCC/Julie O’Leary), Scarecrow in “Over the Rainbow” (Carrignafoy Community College), and Junior/ Intermediate ensemble in “Aladdin”, “Sinbad and the Sea Pirates”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Red Riding Hood”, and “Jack and the Beanstalk (CADA/Everyman Palace).
TV & film credits: Matthew in “9 to 5” short film (Shane Kelleher), and Performer in “Grafton Street” music video (Jimmy Cotter/EPIC Productions).
Jack is delighted to be a teacher at Montfort College of Performing Arts, to share his passion of the arts with students, and to boost their confidence.
KAITLYNN COMPAGNO - DANCE & MUSICAL THEATRE
Kaitlynn began her training as a dancer at age 3 with Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance studying Ballet. She has also trained with Studio Wolfe for many years studying Modern Jazz, Commercial, Pom dance, Cheerleading and Classical ballet - as well as competing nationally and internationally with them for many years and winning many awards including a summer scholarship for House of Jazz UK.
Most recently, Kaitlynn completed her Diploma in Dance with Tramore Road Campus, led by director Jane Kelleghan – studying multiple dance styles and modules including Classical Ballet, Dance Performance, Dance Production and Theatre performance with Jon Witty.
Aswell as a competitive dancer, Kaitlynn has performed in many Cork Opera House pantomimes and main stage performances at Perform Festival. She also teaches for Sinead Sheppard School of Dance and has choreographed for Strictly Con Dancing for Cork Constitution.
Kaitlynn is very excited to be joining the Monforts team and sharing her passion for the arts with all students.
AOIFE HOSFORD - DANCE & MUSICAL THEATRE
Aoife began her training in CADA and then went on to train in London at Momentum Performing Arts Academy. She graduated with a Diploma in Musical Theatre (2015). She has completed her Dance teacher training DDI and DDE qualifications with the ISTD in both Tap and Modern. She also is a qualified Acrobatic Arts Module 1 teacher. Aoife has recently graduated from MTU Cork School of Music with a BA honours degree in Musical Theatre (2024).
While living in London Aoife taught and performed for ten years. Theatre Credits include: Singin’ in the Rain (Showtime, Adelphi Theatre London) Insomnia Dubai and Saudi Arabia (West End Worldwide), Beauty and the Beast Pantomime (Everyman Palace Theatre), and Dancer in Elements (Watford Palace Theatre).
She has performed in The Everyman Pantomimes from the age of four. Most recently while training at MTU, Aoife performed as Julie in Our House at the Everyman Palace Theatre). Aoife was also part of Theatre Tap London Company Class in 2019.