DR SYLVIA O'BRIEN
DMUS, ARCM

Recently awarded Doctor of Music from Trinity College Dublin, Dr O’Brien is Professor of Voice at the the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she lectures in voice, specialising in vocal technique, French mélodie, chamber and contemporary repertoire. 

 

Dr O’Brien travels between Ireland, Austria, China, and Germany presenting masterclasses, coaching, preparing singers for international vocal competitions and professional performances and recruiting students for third level degrees. She is also assistant artistic administrator for the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition 2025.

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Dr O'Brien has curated the Contemporary Vocal Techniques programme at the Royal Irish Academy of Music which explores the process of learning and performance practice of contemporary vocal music for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

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She is regularly invited internationally to present masterclasses and adjudicate for vocal competitions. Ms O'Brien has been awarded status as Artist-in -Residence on several occasions as well as presenting workshops for composers (see below).

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Dr O'Brien acts as external examiner for all exam grades and instruments. on the panel of Examiners of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, 

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Dr O’Brien is an active member of Society of Musicology in Ireland, presenting lectures on contemporary vocal music and vocal techniques. 

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SELECTED PRESENTATIONS/MASTERCLASSES/PUBLICATIONS

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Masterclass, Kirchenchor St Bartholemaus, Niederkreuchten, Germany

October 4-7, 2024 

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Guest Presenter, Creative Brain Week, March 4-9, Trinity College Dublin, 2024.

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Masterclass 'Performance Practice in 21st Century' 

Exploring the challenges of interpretation, style, extended techniques, score reading and performance practice in the 20th and 21st century contemporary landscape.

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'Ceathruinti Ni Ogain (1973)' by Seoirse Bodley: A Critical Edition', Research Open Day, Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, 06 March 2023

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'Externalisation and Objectivity in Vocal Practice of the 20th and 21st Centuries', Performance Research Ireland, National Concert Hall, 25-27 March 2022​

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