From the age of 3, it was clear that Niamh Varian-Barry was destined to be a performer. Always more comfortable on the stage than off, she developed a unique and individual style and grew more and more as a communicator of the arts. It was then no surprise that she pursued a Bachelor of Music in the Cork School of Music, which led her to roles such as principal violist as the CSM Symphony Orchestra and Baroque Ensemble. Her talent was recognised by the Music Instrument Fund of Ireland, from whom she won a bursary instrument for 3 years in a row. She was Highest Placed Violist in the Senior Recital Competition in the CSM 2 years in a row, winning the Alfred and Peggy de Reyghere Memorial Trophy. During her time studying in Cork, she had the opportunity to take masterclasses from such teachers as; Simon Aspell, the world renowned Yuri Bashmet and Bruno Giuranna.
In 2008, Niamh moved to Dublin to begin a Masters in Perfomance studying under John Lynch. Touring China, Japan, Korea, Germany, France, Switzerland and North America led to once in a lifetime chances like performing in Forte di Fenestrelle, Turin, Seoul National Theatre, Münich Philharmonic Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York, as well as already having performed in City Hall, Cork, John Field Room and Main Auditorium at The National Concert Hall, Dublin, UCH, Limerick, Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, Cork Opera House, St. Finbarre’s Cathedral, Cork, Aula Maxima, Cork, Honan Chapel, Cork.
Also quickly becoming an established and finely accomplished fiddle player and singer, Niamh has in the past year toured North America with Comhaltas Ceóltóirà Éireann. After a few lessons with the late Séamus Creagh two years ago (which more than often just turned out to be two friends playing tunes together!), she began to truly discover her huge croà and grá for the ceol tradisiúnta. She has since then shared the stage with the cream of Irish traditional music including: Liam O' Connor, Zoe Conway, Finnoula Hunt, Altan, The Dubliners, Sharon Shannon, Martin Tourish and Steve Earl. She was involved in the new TG4 adds “The More You Watch, The More You Seeâ€, recording the music and was a featured extra in the adds themselves. She has also had the opportunity to film for various programmes over the last couple of years, including; Féilte (TG4), Fleadh programme (TG4), Nationwide (RTÉ1), The Reel Deal (RTÉ).
Already forging out a solid performing career, Niamh Varian-Barry is set for the stars.
"Niamh Varian-Barry on the fiddle, is an artist who handles her instrument like an old friend, with enough charisma to charm the pants off the toughest crowd in downtown Franklin." Irish invasion - VALERIE NUTT, Williamson Herald, Nashville, Tennessee ..
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