The National Children’s Choir is a school-based choral experience for primary school children
Mairéad Déiseach
Mairéad commenced her classical training in music at the age of 7 in The DIT Conservatory of Music, Dublin. She received her operatic training under the guidance of Jody Beggan and studied under virtuosos such as Bernadette Greevy, winning prizes in the Feis Ceoil. She sang with RTÉ Cór na nÓg, DIT Chamber Choir & New Dublin Voices. She has directed a number of adult choirs; including Frascati Singers, Blackrock. Mairéad has worked with the NCC since 1997 and became a director in 2007. She recently spent 6 years from 2017 – 2023 as Music Director of Presto Project in Ballyfermot; a programme where ‘Music For Opportunity’ is at its core. She is proud to be a member of the teaching staff in Scoil Mhuire GNS. Mairéad is currently engaged in doctoral work in Trinity College Dublin, where she is researching the Assessment of Music.
Órla Gillan
Órla Gillan has been involved in choral music from a very early age. As a daughter of the founder and inspiration behind the National Children’s Choir, Seán Creamer and as a member of ‘The Park Singers’ and ‘Cantando’, she has travelled extensively throughout Europe and Ireland with these choirs. She has been actively involved with The National Children’s Choir since its inception in1985 and has been a Musical Director since 2009. Órla took over as conductor of the Dublin based Park Singers Ladies choir in 2009. Since then, the choir has enjoyed much success in festivals throughout Ireland and abroad. In September 2023, she founded Junior Park Singers for boys and girls from 10 years of age. In the short time the Junior Park Singers have been singing, the choir has performed in Áras an Uachtaráin, The National Concert Hall, Christchurch Cathedral and Trinity College Chapel. Recently retired, Órla now enjoys the opportunity of visiting many schools and supporting the work of the National Children’s Choir.
Anne Purcell
Anne Purcell has a distinguished career in choral music as a singer, conductor, educator, and author. She began her musical journey in St. Louis in Rathmines, singing with Cantairí Óga Áth Cliath and later with the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir. She has been involved with the National Children’s Choir since its formation, first as Assistant Musical Director and later as Musical Director. Anne has lectured in Music Education at Dublin City University and Maynooth University and served as Choral Director at Leeson Park School of Music. She authored The Right Note and Into Music resource books for primary school music education. She also acts as a moltóir at Cór Fhéile na Scoileanna and is a committee member of the Laudate Festival. Currently, she is the Choral Director of I Cantanti, a mixed-voice choir. Anne was Principal of St. Mary's National School in Donnybrook until her retirement and now teaches choral singing at St. Brigid's Primary School, The Coombe.
