Blanaid Murphy began her career in London studying piano with Beatrice Franklova and organ with Ian Curror. In 1984 she was awarded an organ scholarship to Selwyn College, Cambridge, graduating in music in 1987.

For four years, Blanaid furthered her studieswith Professor Konrad Richter. She participated in the masterclass at Beyruth Susan Wenckus at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with Hartmut Holl and founded and directed the Murphy Singers in Stuttgard. She has wide experience as a pianist and conductor in Germany and throughout Europe.

Since 1993 Blanaid has been based in Dublin and is in great demand as a conductor, vocal coach and pianist. She is choral director of the RTE Children's Choir Cor Na nOg. Carlow Choral Society, Draiocht and Celtic Ayres, Blanaid is also Choral Director of the Irish Philharmonic Chorus on the record-breaking Faith of Our Fathers recording, and in 1998 formed the Chamber Choir, Canzona, with whom she recently performed Bach's St John Passion in Dublin and Wexford and with whom she has recorded the CD, Scenes of an Irish Christmas.

Another recent project has been the recording of the CD, Irelands voices for peace, which features many of the above choirs together with children's choirs from Northern Ireland and the proceeds of which will go towards funding a children's cross-border Choir Trust. Ireland's voices for peace has toured Wexford, National Concert Hall in Dublin and Carlow Cathedral during Eigse.

In March this year (1999) Blanaid conducted Carlow Choral Society's performance of Handel's Messiah in St David's Cathedral and is planning to return with them next Spring.

Ireland's Voices for Peace creates a mood of peaceful reflection. It brings together a variety of choirs through the special unifying an healing power of choral music.

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Canzona Chamber Choir

Blanaid founded Canzona Chamber Choir in January 1996. Originally the members of the choir were drawn from County Carlow. The membership has now expanded to include singers from the whole Leinster area who often travel long distances to attend rehearsals. Canzona has quickly established itself in the choral world. Performances have included Bach cantatas and motets in the St Ann's Dawson Street Bach series, a Department of Education performance for leaving-cert students of Bach cantata no 78 in the National Concert Hall, a lunch-time concert of madrigals in the Kilkenny Arts' Arts Week and one of the Winter Warmers series in the National Gallery.

Recently the choir has performed the St John Passion in Dublin and Wexford, and was the choir in residence at the 1999 Cork International Choral Festival where the premiered works by Mantyjarvi and McGlynn. Canzona has recorded tracks on the choral CD Ireland's Voices for Peace. Last year the choir produced the CD Scenes of an Irish Christmas, which includes many arrangements of Christmas favourites.

Stephen Pilkington
Musical Director Celtic Connections Wales

Originally from Bakewell, Derbyshire, Stephen has lived in Cardigan since 1983. He was Tutor at the Royal Manchester College of Music from 1968-79; accompanist and Assistant Chorusmaster to the Halle Choir and freelance keyboard with the Halle Orchestra from 1972-83. Since 1967 he has performed as a soloist, duellist, accompanist and conductor throughout Britain as well as performing in Holland, Germany and Hong Kong.

His many varied engagements have taken him into television, radio and records.

Stephen has been Musical Director for many top shows, including Norman Wisdom in 1975, and many 'seasons' including one in the West End, a TV show and variety performances for Priness Margaret, Diana Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal.

He is an official accompanist at the National Eisteddfod, teaches piano at Trinity College Carmarthen and has a large teaching practice. He is also conductor of Cantorion Teifi.

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