BIMM Dublin: Careers Within the Music Industry
On 24th April, we’re holding a very special Open Evening at BIMM Dublin.
We like to keep up with our graduates’ achievements, so we are bringing together some of our Alumni who are shaping the music industry right now.
Currently working as producers, sessions players, music therapists, lecturers, event manager, agents and promoters, they will guide you through their journey and experiences at BIMM Dublin and their pathway into the industry.
Joining us are…
Niamh White
After graduating from BIMM in 2016, Niamh moved to New York City and began interning at Lydia Liebman Promotions – a boutique jazz PR agency. Quickly progressing into the role of publicity assistant to the founder and president of the company, Niamh has represented and promoted an array of jazz artists – both emerging and accomplished – including Keyon Harrold, Brandee Younger, Lauren Desberg, Ralph Peterson, Dave Liebman, Grace Kelly and The Baylor Project.
As a saxophonist, Niamh dedicates herself to achieving the best possible results for musicians, whether that be in the form of reviews, features or interviews. Niamh has coordinated multiple GRAMMY campaigns for independent artists, securing three nominations and one win.
Niamh’s next venture takes her to London, where, as Publicity Associate and UK Representative, she will be scouting the rich market of UK jazz artists with the goal of expanding upon the current client roster at LLP.
Seán Behan
Seán Behan is a 22-year-old songwriter, producer, MD and BIMM graduate from Dublin. After spending some time working in the multi Grammy-Winning NYC-based studio Engine Room Audio, Seán began working alongside electropop artist LAOISE.
With a co-writer and co-producer title on all of LAOISE’s releases, his work has been met to much critical acclaim from press like Buzzfeed, The 405, The Line of Best Fit, Nialler9, UK Independent, NPR and more.
Seán saw himself nominated for Song of the Year at the RTE Choice Music Prize for his work on LAOISE’s 2018 single ‘Again’. Through his Dublin-based studio, A Place Called Kai, Seán has also worked with many talented names in the Irish music industry including Hare Squead, Erica Cody, Ailbhe Reddy, Aimée, Maria Kelly and Tim Chadwick, to name a few. Preparing for a busy summer ahead, Seán will be performing at Ireland’s Indiependence, Body & Soul and Kaleidoscope Festival, finishing off at Lollapalooza Berlin before spending the rest of the year writing and recording with other artists.
Theodora Byrne
Theodora Byrne is a session vocalist, keyboard player and choir director based in Dublin. Most recently, she has played keyboards and sang backing vocals for James Vincent McMorrow, Sorcha Richardson, and HamsandwicH.
Theodora is currently musical director for Dublin-based community choir The Playlist Choir and the Avolon Aviation Leasing workplace choir.
Theodora has played in prestigious venues such as the Sydney Opera House, Dublin’s Olympia Theatre, London’s Roundhouse Theatre, and New York’s Webster Hall. She has also performed at world-renowned music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Benicassim, Other Voices, Outside Lands, Electric Picnic and The Roots Picnic. Theodora’s television appearances include ‘Later…with Jools Holland’, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’, and ‘The Ray D’Arcy Show’.
Joe Furlong
Having spent the best part of ten years playing with many independent Irish acts, Joe has been playing with James Vincent McMorrow since 2016. This has included extensive touring all across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Touring with James has seen Joe play in such prestigious venues as the Sydney Opera House, The Roundhouse, Webster Hall and The Wiltern, as well as numerous radio and television performances such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Jools Holland, KCRW and numerous BBC Radio 1 shows.
Joe’s work as musical director for the annual Turning Pirate Mixtape New Years Eve show in Vicar Street has led to work with numerous Irish artists such as Lisa Hannigan, Conor O’Brien (Villagers), Paul Noonan (Bell X1), Declan O’Rourke, and Richie Egan (Jape).
Ema Stapleton
Ema graduated from BIMM Dublin in 2017. She went on to pursue an MA in Popular Music Research at Goldsmiths College, University of London.
She is now a guest lecturer at BIMM, a freelance writer for blogs, a receptionist in Waltons New School of Music, and an aspiring composer for moving image. She was also the assistant manager for the Mother Tongues festival in March this year.
If you intend to do a Masters degree after finishing BIMM, or have any questions about any of these areas, feel free to come along and ask!
Lyndsey Connolly
Lyndsey Connolly is a 2017 graduate. She is an experienced vocal coach and vocalist, actively gigging around Kildare and Dublin.
Lyndsey is currently enrolled at the University of Limerick on the Master of Arts programme in Music Therapy under the tutelage of Dr Hilary Moss and Dr Triona McCaffery. She is due to graduate this year.
Lyndsey has worked in acute hospital care and day hospital settings with older adults, children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder – and most recently special education.
Ciara O’Connor
Ciara O’Connor is a Dublin/London-based vocalist and songwriter. With a music degree from BIMM Dublin and professional dancing and acting background, Ciara has toured stadiums in Europe, Asia and America extensively this past year. She has been touring as a backing vocalist for one of Spotify’s most streamed artists, Dua Lipa.
Ciara has most recently performed at the American Music Awards, Jimmy Kimmel, Jools Holland and The Late Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She has previously worked with many great Irish artists like James Vincent McMorrow, Paul Brady and Mark Feehily (Westlife). As well as working as a top-line writer for various producers, Ciara is also currently working on a debut solo project of her own.
Colin Lyons
Having finished 4 years in BIMM, Colin has gone on to play as a session drummer for Artists such as Áine Cahill, Sean and Conor Price, Lilla Vargen and Josh Gray. Colin also has a keen interest in social media.
