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National Youth Choir is delighted to announce Lynsey Callaghan as Principal Conductor of National Youth Choir (9-15 Years).

This is a new role, designed to deliver and oversee the musical training of our youngest singers, work alongside our fantastic creative team, and develop pathways into singing for all young people.

This appointment concludes a rigorous selection process, which involved a panel of leading industry professionals, trustees, audition workshops and feedback from members of National Youth Choir (9-15 Years). 

Lynsey is Head of Programmes, Research and Academics at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She is the Founding Artistic Director of Dublin Youth Choir and the Cross Border Youth Choir, Artistic Director of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs, and Music Director of Tallaght Choral Society.

Following a bachelor’s degree in music education, she completed a master’s degree in choral conducting at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, an MBA in arts innovation at the Global Leaders Institute, and a doctorate in musicology at Trinity College Dublin. 

Lucy Hollins, Creative Director of the National Youth Choir, said:

I am thrilled to welcome Lynsey to the National Youth Choir community, to lead the next chapter in the musical development of National Youth Choir (9-15 Years). Lynsey is a hugely experience choral director and music educator and has a truly inspirational vision for the choir. Excellence, fun and belonging are at the heart of everything we do, and I have no doubt that Lynsey is the right person to uphold and build on these values, and to take the choir in exciting new directions.

Lynsey Callaghan said:

The National Youth Choir is an inspiring organisation, bringing together so many wonderful young people with diverse experiences to create excellent music. I am immensely grateful to have an opportunity to play a role in this organisation, and I look forward to working with the team to continue and expand on this important work.

Lynsey will take up the position at National Youth Choir immediately and will lead her first 9-15 residential course in Summer 2025.

The National Youth Choir champions choral singing and music-making across the UK. Through excellence in singing, creating music together, training and support, we help young people develop the confidence and skills to realise their greatest potential.

Our choirs support over 900 members aged 9 to 25 years, and our Learning & Engagement programme helps build pathways into choral singing for thousands of young people each year.

Our Emerging Professional Artist programmes support young composers, leaders, singers and conductors in the early stages of their professional careers.

We are a nationwide community for all young people who wish to be inspired, stretched, challenged and nurtured.

We believe in the power of singing together to open up opportunities, so that young people from all walks of life can find and use their voice.