Kerry Vocal Academy was founded by Irish Soprano Dr Sharon Lyons in 2019. Sharon has over 15 years teaching experience ranging from Primary School to Third Level, and teaches individuals, small groups and large choirs/ensembles on a regular basis.

Biography

Sharon is a highly sought after singer and musician hailing from Howth, Co. Dublin. In 2015, Sharon graduated from the Irish World Academy at University of Limerick with a PhD specialising in liturgical vocal music.

One of Sharon’s unique qualities lies in her effortless ability to move between styles and genres. An accomplished classically trained soprano with a Master’s Degree in Early Music and Chant, Sharon has performance experience in singing an impressive range of repertoire spanning from medieval chant to the modern day. She also holds a Bachelor of Music Education Honours Degree from Trinity College Dublin and teaches choirs, individuals and classes on a weekly basis.

No stranger to the spotlight, Sharon has performed on national and international stages as both a soloist and ensemble member. She has received many scholarships and awards over the years including a Fulbright Scholarship to study music in the US, which led to performing at a UN conference. Performances also include appearances at the NCH, on national television, on many RTÉ religious affairs programmes, singing for Pope Francis, for state events such as the annual 1916 Remembrance Service and funeral of former President Patrick Hillery.

2012 saw Dublin host the International Eucharistic Congress and Sharon was involved with the preparation and performance of music for the various liturgies that took place over the course of the event.

One of Sharon’s most exciting ventures to date was her appearance in a singing and acting capacity on the hit television series ‘The Viking’s’ in 2013 (produced by the History Channel, United States). She sings a self-composed piece called Sacrifice written specifically for the series. This has received viral status on YouTube, and continues to collect new fans on a regular basis to this day.

Professional engagements also include soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem and Bach’s St John’s Passion most notably in St Mary's Pro Cathedral under the baton of Ms Blanaid Murphy, accompanied by Dublin Bach Singers and the Orchestra of St Cecilia.

In December 2015 Sharon recorded her first EP entitled ‘Simply Christmas’. This collection included a new Irish translation of the much loved Christmas Song ‘O Holy Night’.

Throughout 2016, Sharon was delighted and honoured to be involved in many of the official 1916 commemoration services including singing a self-composed lament during one of the live televised services from Glasnevin Cemetery, and singing at a Mass held in Kilmainham Gaol chapel.

In July 2017, Sharon appeared as soprano soloist for the National Commemoration Service in Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, following in the footsteps of notable singers such as Bernadette Greevy. In August 2017 and 2018, Sharon was chosen by world renowned Soprano Emma Kirkby to study with her in Germany for a series of masterclasses and workshops.

2018 saw one of the highlights of Sharon’s singing career to date as she was chosen as soprano soloist for the official theme song for World Meeting of Families held in Dublin, resulting in the opportunity to sing solo for the Papal Mass in Phoenix Park in the presence of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

More information can be found on Sharon’s personal site here