Person to Person: 'When I’m not conducting and teaching, I enjoy singing and performing'

Tell us about yourself;

My name is Maeve-Ann O’Brien. My musical journey started in the Cork School of Music at the age of 7, where I received flute, singing and musicianship lessons. My first opera was singing in the chorus of La Bohème when I was 12 at Cork Opera House. I was hooked after that and wanted to be an opera singer! I went on to graduate from UCC with a joint honours degree in Music and English and a HDip in secondary school teaching. During that time, I also achieved an LTCL diploma in flute teaching.

After a year of teaching, I went on to do a postgrad in music at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. I trained as a mezzo- soprano there under the fabulous Eiddwyn Harry and performed in many operas and concerts. After Cardiff, I spent many years training with the late Mary Brennan in Dublin and performing professionally with the chorus of Opera Ireland.

I retrained as a primary school teacher, and I’ve been working in Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Cailíní in Bishopstown for the past 20 years. I have the privilege and pleasure of being the conductor of our wonderful school choir. It brings me great joy working with children’s choirs and watching them blossom. Children create that special kind of magic that no one else can.

When I’m not conducting and teaching, I continue to enjoy singing and performing with various operatic societies, groups and choirs in Cork.

Where were you born? Cork.

Where do you live?

Glanmire – I love it there, it’s close to the countryside and not too far from the city.

Family?

Married to Gavin, one son, Rory aged 15, who is in third Year in Christians and one daughter, Meadhbh aged 12, who is in 6th Class in Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh (C) in Bishopstown. I am so blessed to have two incredible parents, a brother and a sister, Sinéad, who I would be lost without!

Best friend?

My wonderful husband Gavin. Two peas in a pod! It’s an O’Brien and O’Brien thing! I’m also so lucky and thankful to have lots of close friends. I just received a text from the dynamic duo Rút and Mary! See you next week for lunch girls!

Earliest childhood memory?

Hard to pick one. They are mostly music and drama related! When I was 5, we got a new stereo with a microphone, which was a big hit in our house. I loved making recordings singing Boney M. songs at the top of my voice! The neighbours weren’t too impressed, though! I also have a vivid memory of playing the role of Santa in my Senior Infant Christmas Play in St. Columbus in Douglas. I remember I had lots of lines to learn.

Person you most admire?

My parents, Maeve and Denis. They are both very talented, resilient, loving and extremely kind people who gave me so many opportunities throughout my life and are always there for me. Both are beautiful singers and lovers of the arts. I have very happy memories of my mum playing the piano at Christmas time and singing Jerusalem with my uncle Billy. I’m very thankful that my parents passed on their great love of classical music and the arts to me.

Person who most irritates you?

I try to see the good in everyone, but I’d love if drivers could be more patient in Cork city, stay in their lanes, and please slow down. We need to sort out the morning crashes. Especially heading west.

Where was your most memorable holiday? My daughter Meadhbh and I went to Denmark last year and had such a fun trip. Lego house and Copenhagen were incredible. We loved the hygge lifestyle and hope to return soon.

Favourite TV programme?

The Traitors. It got me through the long winter!

Favourite radio show?

Would have to be Marty in the Morning on Lyric FM. I listen to it every morning on my way to work. Marty really brightens my day!

Your signature dish if cooking?

My creamy chicken and spinach pasta goes down well in our house.

Favourite restaurant?

We are so lucky to live in the food capital of Ireland! There are so many fabulous restaurants in Cork. You will find me in a restaurant close to the river or by the sea.

Last book you read?

Rick Stein’s autobiography Under a Mackerel Sky, and I just finished Holes with my lovely sixth class. Monty Don’s Down to Earth is on my bedside locker at the moment.

Best book you read?

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

The last album I downloaded was Hamilton before I headed off at Easter to see it in London. I also recently downloaded Ella and Louis. I’m revisiting, songs that I used to listen to years ago. The Nearness of You from this album was our first dance at our wedding.

Favourite song?

Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix from Saint-Saëns Samson et Dalila.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Unfortunately, I will never get to see legends like Marilyn Horne or Jessie Norman sing the above role of Dalila, but I would love to see Aigul Akhmetshina sing it in the Met next year.

Do you have a pet?

Yes, a miniature schnauzer called Oscar. He’s a true gent and a great character.

Morning person or night owl?

Morning, but not too early.

Your proudest moment?

My proudest moment is bringing our two children, Rory and Meadhbh into this world. Gavin and I are so blessed and thankful.

Spendthrift or saver?

As a mum of two I am a saver, but we enjoy our treats too! Life is short!

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

Lots of improvements are going on in Glanmire at the moment, it will be great when all the “Stop Goes” have ended.

What makes you happy?

Spending time with my family and friends, going on long walks with Oscar by the sea, music, gardening, swimming and once my kids are happy, I’m happy.

How would you like to be remembered?

For being caring, kind, a lover of the arts and education and someone who saw the beauty in all life and believed it should be cherished and celebrated.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I am busy preparing my Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní Choir in Bishopstown for the Cork International Choral Festival Competition on April 29. We are so fortunate to have this amazing festival in Cork City, which bring choirs from all over the world to Cork.I have such happy memories of the festival, and I am so proud that my choirs have won the primary school competition for the past four years in a row and eight times in the past 14 years.

The Cork International Choral Festival runs until May 3. Maeve-Ann has a long-standing connection to the festival and continues to play an active role in this year’s programme, sharing her passion for choral music with the next generation.

• See: https://www.corkchoral.ie/