Musici Ireland

Beth McNinch studied viola at the GSMD & RAM in London, continuing with a successful freelance career, performing with all major symphony orchestras in the UK, including the London Symphony Orchestra & BBC Symphony Orchestra. She has appeared as principal violist with English national Ballet, London Sinfonietta, Wexford Festival Opera, Irish National Opera, RTÉ Symphony & Concert Orchestras and the Ulster Orchestra. In 2021, Beth became the inaugural recipient of the SEVN artists bursary, allowing her time to research and record works for solo viola by women composers in arts venues across the southeast of Ireland. Following this, she commissioned 4 pieces for solo viola composers: Libby Croad (who will attend the World Premiere of her sonata), Deborah Pritchard, Ailbhe McDonagh and Deirdre Mackay.

Lynda O’Connor is in demand as an orchestral performer, both at home and abroad, as a principal player, working with the International Mahler Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, RTÉ National Symphony, The Wexford Opera Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Ireland, the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, Plano Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, among others. She has toured internationally with these orchestras, including performances in Carnegie Hall, Cadogan Hall as part of the BBC Proms, China, Mexico, Washington as part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris as resident artists with Camerata Ireland, St Petersburg, Moscow, Belgium, Germany, Warsaw as part of the International Beethoven Festival, Spain, Shanghai, Beijing and Finland as part of the Naantali Music Festival.