The Loving Life Choir is delighted to greet 2020 with the appointment of Sophie Branigan & Martina Berrill as our musical and choir directors! These appointments follow an extensive selection process and the Foscadh team is excited to be working with two very gifted music teachers who will help choose our music repertoire, and direct and accompany the choir.

Sophie is currently a student teacher in the Bachelor of Religious Education and Music programme at Dublin City University (DCU). She has studied keyboard with Victoria College of Music and completed her piano grades at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Sophie has also studied choral conducting and performance on piano and Irish flute at DCU. She is a member of the DCU Lumen Chorale, which was the 2019 Feis Ceoil winner of the Lombard Murphy Cup for Church Music at the 2019, conducted by Dr. Róisín Blunnie and the Solas Geal Trad Group.

Martina, a professional vocalist with more than 15 years’ experience, says even from her earliest says, music was her first love. It was therefore no surprise that on achieving the Leaving Certificate with honours in music that she followed the path to her dream career. Martina holds an Associate Diploma in Musical Theatre from Victoria College, London and teaches vocal lessons and musical theatre which are examined and graded in Toccata House Music School, Drogheda. For the past 8 years Martina has also performed as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Tequila Rose, a very popular and successful wedding band. Music is in Martina’s DNA and she has a versatile knowledge and practice in a range of music styles, allowing her to teach a variety of styles and techniques.

In 2020, Sophie will lead Loving Life Choir rehearsals for junior members age 5 to 9 while Martina will lead rehearsals for senior members age 10+.

Each child has their own unique story to tell and this year we will create a helpful document that guides our choir members to share their personal journey, story and ambition through song.

We are so looking forward to what wonderful opportunities and experiences lie ahead for the Loving Life Choir in 2020 and working with Sophie and Martina to achieve our goals!