A MUSICAL FAMILY

Fiona’s first musical memories are of playing the piano, singing with her sisters and dancing to their parents’ diverse record collection. Music was a way of life for the family; there was no escape, with a bagpipe and tuba playing father and mother who taught the piano and ran a choir. Loving the opportunity to express herself, Fiona learnt the piano and violin and poured her creativity and emotion into song writing. In recent years she has added percussion and whistle to her performance collection. 

EARLY SUCCESS

After winning two national singing competitions, including BBC Radio Two’s Choirgirl of the Year at 14, Fiona released her first album with Gavin Moralee to media acclaim “The best performance I have heard of Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu” The Daily Mail. She was invited to join the National Youth Choir of Great Britain as a soloist on their world tour, before studying Music at City University and Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Anúna

Whilst she was at university, Fiona’s dad took her to one of the first Irish traditional music concerts at the Proms in London. By chance performing that night were world-renowned vocal group Anúna; she was left spell-bound by their unique theatrical performance style, incredible harmonies and pure vocals. Fast-forward a couple of years and Fiona was invited to join them, performing on international tours, albums and music videos. She was priviledged to be part of the official state tour to South America, travelling with and representing Irish President Mary McAleese. She later joined forces with the wonderfully talented Anúna Co-Director John McGlynn, in trio ‘Sweet June’.

Riverdance

In 2005 Fiona became lead singer of Riverdance, the musical stage show phenomenon and a sell-out all over the world. She toured America, Europe and Asia and was soloist in their tenth anniversary homecoming celebrations in Dublin. She was a high profile member of the cast, appearing in many interviews during her time with the show and writing the official Tour Diaries, keeping Riverdance fans entertained with her anecdotes and news of life backstage.

lORD OF THE DANCE

It was after starring as Guinevere (alongside Johnny Logan as King Arthur) in international show Excalibur and working with some of her idols Fairport Convention & Jacqui McShee of Pentangle, that Fiona was asked to join stage show hit Lord of the Dance as lead singer; touring the UK, Scandinavia, the Czech Republic and Germany. She was delighted to be chosen to star alongside Michael Flatley in his other spectacular show ‘Feet of Flames’, touring theatres and stadiums of South East Asia and featuring in the live show DVD. Fiona was the last soprano lead singer to feature in the show before handing the baton to Nadine Coyle of Girls Aloud, when she left to start ‘Legend’.

Legend

Returning to the UK and keen to create her own show, Fiona launched Legend; the all-female group of multi-instrumentalists and singers. Legend heralded the start of Fiona and Josie’s working relationship, and brought together Fiona’s sister Anna on percussion and cousin Hannah on fiddle and whistle. Their original and stylish show evoked the spirit of Britain and Ireland with harp, fiddle, flutes, Celtic whistle, drums and voices in harmony. Legend featured on national TV and radio (“the medieval spice girls” BBC One) and in press such as The Mirror and Play Magazine. Their single Gaudete is often heard on the radio - now a staple on the BBC playlist - and was ‘Record of the Week’ on various BBC stations on release.

ALbum ‘The Last Rose’

‘Last’ actually being the first! Fiona’s first solo album was co-written with friend and talented collaborator Cathal Synnott, the then Musical Director of Riverdance. They wrote much of the music whilst on the road with the show, and launched the album at Celtic Connections in Glasgow. Fiona sings and plays the piano on the album, which evokes influences from the Celtic and wider world. Media coverage included national radio and TV, with her music video ‘The Magic’ reaching number one in the Classic FM TV charts for several weeks.

Performance & media credits

Fiona has performed for audiences such as The British Royal Family, the Irish President, the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi, the Presidents of Chile and Argentina and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

International TV and radio credits include BBC 1; ITV; BBC Scotland; FOX Television (USA); BBC Radio 2; GMTV; Classic FM; OMusic TV; BBC Radio 4; BBC World Service; RTE TV & Radio (Ireland); TV3 (Ireland).

Fiona has toured in over 30 countries over the course of her career, performing in major venues across the world.

Some UK and Ireland live performances include The Royal Albert Hall, London (with Sir Cliff Richard); St. James’s Palace (for Prince Edward); The Hippodrome, London; The British Houses of Parliament (Sarah Ferguson fundraising gala with Boy George); The Glasgow Festival Hall (Celtic Connections); The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin (Riverdance); Slane Castle, Ireland; The Guinness Brewery, Dublin; Glastonbury Festival; The Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Festival Hall, London; The Churchill Theatre (with BBC Radio Two Young Musician of the Year); The National Concert Hall, Ireland; Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh; (Anúna); Buxton Opera House; Grand Opera House, Ireland.