About Tara McCarthy
Tara McCarthy is a violinist/violist crossing both Classical and Folk Music
genres. She received an RTE Lyric FM Scholarship to aid her studies in the Master of Arts in
Classical String performance with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the University of Limerick
and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. While studying there, she also studied
traditional Irish fiddle with Eileen O’Brien. As a founding member of the Amoroso String Quartet, she took part in the Galway Music Residency with the RTÉ ConTempo string quartet and performed as a young artist at the Boyne Festival. She is most passionate about chamber music, Irish Traditional Music and Instrumental music education.
With over 10 years experience, Tara is a passionate about string teaching, especially guiding ensembles of young musicians in preparation for performances and exams. Previously a tutor at the IAYO National Chamber Music Workshops (Ireland), She currently directs String Chamber orchestras and Orchestral ensembles in London’s music services.
She also arranged for and conducted Ballinspittle Comhaltas’ first ever Trad Orchestra for the launch of the Cork Fleadh Ceoil in 2017 - a resounding success. She also organized and ran the gig rig in the square for the Cork fleadh weekend. She is experienced in teaching fiddle and Grupaí Ceoil.
A recipient of several Travel and Training grants and Agility Awards from the Irish Arts
Council, Tara has performed in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Luxembourg and
Italy. She has performed for President Michael D Higgins and supported Truir in concert.
She is a regular on the London session scene and a member of Mná - a London based female folk group. Mná have recently taken part in the Return to London Town 2024 Festival, performed at the Jamboree, the Theatre Ship and will take part in the Irish Cultural Centre’s (ICC) St.Brigid’s day celebrations 2025. As part of the Carolan Players, Tara performed at the ICC’s sold out celebration of the music of O’Carolan in December 2024 and has played on 'The Bright Side of the Road' podcast (ICC) on several occasions.
Tara has performed at venues such as the National Concert Hall (Dublin), Royal Festival Hall and The Royal Albert Hall (London).
Photo credit: @thebroadwaystudios
Musical instruments & styles
Instruments
Violin, Viola
Styles
Ceilidh, Chamber, Classical, Baroque, Folk, Early Music
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