Cavan teenager's powerful version of 'Dance with my Father' goes viral

The proud mum of a Co, Cavan teenager says her talented daughter recorded a poignant song to pay tribute to those who lost their fathers during the pandemic.

15 year old Ruby O Kelly a classical and musical theatre trained mezzo soprano from Ballyjamesduff Co Cavan recorded a powerful version of Dance with my Father by Luther Vandross as part of the Ivory Sessions accompanied by Navan music producer Mark Cahill that has clocked up tens of thousands of views online.

“She is such an old soul and because so many people have lost loved ones through this she dedicated the song to those who lost their fathers through covid.

“Every morning I get up I’m getting emails from people about how much the song touched them. One woman told me her father passed away many years ago but he died in World War 2.

“It is emotional for a lot of people but as Ruby says a song takes you somewhere you want to go and somewhere you don’t want to go that is what music is.”

The youngster’s love for singing started at a very young age when she joined a local stage school. Over the years Ruby, a student of singing teacher Helen McHugh based in Trim has taken part in many shows and concerts and was a cast member of the Olympia Panto for the last six years starring alongside many well known Irish faces.

Rubys love for music took a different direction when she wrote and composed her own song “ You Won’t Stop Me” in 2019 at the age of 13. The song highlighted bullying and to her surprise went viral overnight .

Since then Ruby has had some amazing opportunities.most notably she has been invited to sing at Áras an Uachtaráin and has performed in many amazing venues including ,the Mansion house in Dublin ,City hall in Dublin ,the Helix in Dublin and at the National Convention centre with the Pendulum Summit.

Ruby has also won the 2019 Cathaoirleach award for her song writing and her efforts through music to combat bullying.She is currently working on new material and hopes to release some new music at the end of this year