A personal and heartfelt performance

Singing for around 20 years, professional soprano Eileen Coyle has a deep passion for music and the couples for whom she performs her music.

With each wedding, after spending time with the bride and groom composing the music for their special day, she forms a connection with the couple, which comes through in her performance.

From Ballymachugh, Eileen’s niche is in classical and hymnal pieces, however she also performs modern hits and Irish tunes if it is what the bride or groom desires, bringing a “romantic and personal” touch to each wedding she plays.

“Everything I do is really personal to the couple,” Eileen says.

“I care about them,” she adds, describing how she is aware that she has been entrusted to play during what is one of the most important moments in any couple’s life.

“I have a lot of empathy; I get emotional about it in the moment.

“It carries into the music and it’s emotionally connected to the couple.”

The pianist’s musical career began during her school days when she first learned piano. From there, it progressed in Dublin where she joined choirs and later The Royal Irish Academy of Music studying classical singing with Dr Imelda Drumm.

She also completed her education as a choral scholar with Dr Ite O’Donovan and the Lassus Scholars. Eileen completed the Diploma in Teaching and Performance.

“I was always singing at weddings and funerals before I even trained in the academy,” she said, describing that she began singing for friends and family who admired her voice.

She joined various different professional groups while living in Dublin including jazz trio The Bugle Babes in her early 20s, where she had the opportunity to further train her voice. She then began singing in Christ Church as a Lay Vicar Choral.

“I had my finger in a lot of pies,” she laughs, further explaining where her muscial career has led her.

She has performed in shows in the Fringe Festival, New Music Dublin, Cambridge Early Music Week and Speaking of Music, RIAM, Dublin. She has sung as a soloist with the RTE Concert Orchestra, The RIAM Baroque Ensemble, The Orlando Chamber Orchestra, The Longford County Choir, West Wicklow Voices, Setanta Choir, Christ Church Baroque Ensemble and The Irish Memory Orchestra.

Eileen has toured America, England, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and the Netherlands and has performed as a soloist all over Ireland including appearances at the National Concert Hall, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, The National Gallery of Ireland, Cork Opera House, Kilkenny Theater Royal and regularly at Christ Church Cathedral.

She believes she is “most popular” at church ceremonies and also performs and civil ceremonies and evenings.

“I learn a lot of new stuff for each wedding,” she adds.

Eileen is dedicated to her profession, which is why she practices constantly and continuously strives to improve her work. Asked what makes her stand out, Eileen says it her “personality” and her “pure” voice.

“That I’m genuine and that I really do care about the music and about it being as good as it can be on the day for the couple.

“I practice every day for a couple of hours, I’m always keeping my voice in top condition, I’m always learning new music and still joining new groups all the time and learning new songs,” she said, adding learning new instruments and recording her own music to the list.