Biography of Joanne McCabe

Joanne McCabe began her training with the Wexford School of Music. After four years she moved to the Waterford Institute of Technology where she completed her Grade VIII examination with the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music and performed a gold medal recital with the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Joanne has competed nationwide with successes including winning the Capuchin annual cup for the popularisation of National airs and the Cecilian Perpetual Challenge Cup for Artistic Interpretation in the Feis Maithiu competitions in Cork. More locally, she also won titles in the Fintan O’ Carroll competitions in Waterford including the overall Vocal Cup in 2007 and the Woodworth Perpetual Cup for vocal repertoire.

Joanne is a former member of the prestigious Irish Youth Choir and has performed with them in venues such as the National Gallery of Ireland and Saint Canice’s Cathedral Kilkenny. She has been the youngest member of the well-known Carrigbyrne Pike Choir in County Wexford for ten years, often performing solo. She also played the soprano role Harvest Home in the youth opera “Peace” in conjunction with Opera Ireland and Summer Music on the Shannon with performances in Co. Clare as well as the Friars Gate Theatre and the University Concert Hall in Limerick. Through this work Joanne had the opportunity to work with composer Carl Davis (composer of many scores for ballets, operas, television documentaries and films such as Pride and Prejudice) and Canadian conductor Bruce Dunn. In 2009 Joanne had the honour of being the opening vocalist in a concert to commemorate Waterford born opera composer William Vincent Wallace (1812-1865) and has also performed in the Thomas Moore Festival in Dublin. She has joined with Lyric Opera, most recently for their production of Carmen at the National Concert Hall with conductor Fergus Sheil and also performs with Jim Molloy Promotions at Wexford Opera House. She is currently training under the instruction of renowned Soprano Deirdre Masterson.

Her clear-cut voice and musicality saw her become a vocalist on the Music Made Easy Programme designed to facilitate the music curriculum in Irish primary schools which is circulated nationwide. She has sang at hundreds of weddings and funerals, some which have been high profile. As a result her voice has been aired on RTE Radio 1. Her sensitivity and professionalism has helped many families with the difficult task of planning a truly beautiful funeral ceremony within the short time period. Regardless of the performance type Joanne’s experience in a variety of situations and that of her accompanist Frances will ensure that the music for your occasion need not be something to worry about!