Shirley Keane - Artistic Director
Founder and Artistic Director of Opera Workshop, Shirley has had training in both theatre and opera, at Rose Bruford College, Guildhall School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, London. Shows created and produced for Opera Workshop include The Countess’ Salon, Opera What The Fuss!, The Trouble with Virtue, Abandoned and No 2 Pery Square by Fiona Linnane. In October 2022 Shirley produced and directed Twisted Tales, a production of short, edgy contemporary operas by Fiona Linnane and Luke Byrne.
Shirley was awarded an Arts Council of Ireland Opera Bursary further supported by Limerick City and Co Council Arts Office in 2021 for the development of new opera projects and to study libretto writing. Her first libretto, for composer Luke Byrne, was performed at the Guildhall School of Music, London in June 2022. She was awarded an Individual Arts Bursary in 2022 by the Limerick City and County Council for libretto writing.
She has worked as a performer, director, teacher and mentor with companies as diverse as Opera Theatre Co., Opera Holland Park, Basingstoke Haymarket Theatre, Glyndebourne Opera, Live Music Now, Accademia Solti Te Kanawa, Half Moon Young People’s Theatre Co., and The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Shirley was also engaged on the Women’s Conducting Programme at the National Concert Hall, led by conductor Alice Farnham. Shirley enjoys regular cover presenter time on RTE lyric fm.
the board
Owen Gilhooly-Miles - Chair
Owen Gilhooly-Miles, is a graduate of the Royal College of Music, National Opera Studio & the Verbier Festival Academy. He made his Royal Opera House debut singing Fauré Requiem & in 2007 represented Ireland at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. Owen is a Professor of Singing at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Linda Keane
Linda holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from the University of Limerick and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Open University. With experience working in the health and education sectors, she now works at the University of Limerick.
Nyle Wolfe
Nyle Wolfe has enjoyed a residency in the international operatic scene for most of his professional life. He graduated from London’s Royal Academy of Music with their highest academic award and won a scholarship to complete his training at Zurich’s prestigious International Opera Studio.
He was principal baritone soloist at the Gelsenkirchen Opera from 2000-2006. He has made cast recordings with BBC, RTE, Sony and Naxos as well as two solo albums, "Moodswings" and "Home Ground".
Since 2006 he has been music and production director of "Singers for Hire", a boutique agency suppling singers and shows for corporate and private events worldwide.
Nyle is a founding member of the "Two and Half Tenors" vocal ensemble
Naomi O’Nolan
Naomi O’Nolan is an arts professional with over 25 years experience in the artistic and cultural sector. During her years in the Hunt Museum her career transcended arts administration, event management, to Curator of both exhibitions and the Hunt Collection, a private collection of Decorative Arts donated by John and Gertrude Hunt.
With a background in Art History and Museum Management and Practice, she ensured the safeguarding, preservation and accessibility of the Hunt Collection in line with International professional curatorial standards. Naomi served as a member of the Board of EVA International for three years. Naomi currently works as an independent Curator.
Grace Cantwell
Grace Cantwell has been working in Irish not for profit organisations, Charities, Financial Services and for almost 20 years as a Risk, Governance, and Internal Control professional. She is a graduate of University College Dublin (UCD) where she majored in English language and literature.
She also completed the business management programme in UCD- Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business and is a Chartered Internal Auditor. She is a passionate student and supporter of the Arts and a keen Opera supporter.
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