Talented Young Singer Receives Joan Trimble Bursary

Megan Ryan with Fermanagh Trust Director Lauri McCusker
 

Described by her tutors as a “hard working and disciplined young singer with huge potential”, Mount Lourdes Grammar School student Megan Ryan has received a Joan Trimble Bursary Award to support her musical development. The awards scheme, administered by the Fermanagh Trust, was set up in memory of the Enniskillen born musician and composer.

Last year Megan on one of a small number of singers to have been offered a place in the Ulster Youth Choir. Established in 1999, the choir provides the best of Northern Ireland’s young singers aged 16-24 with the opportunity to sing to the highest possible standards and is regarded as one of the country’s leading artistic and educational organisations.

Megan’s Joan Trimble Bursary Award will enable her to attend the choir’s annual residential in Belfast this summer. The week long course which includes a number of lessons from well renowned vocal coaches will provide Megan with the opportunity to nurture and promote her vocal talent. As a member of her local school choir, church choir, Enniskillen Light Operatic and Caritas choir, attendance at the residential course will not only improve performance but also provide the opportunity to share her learning with other choir members. Currently studying A Level Music, Megan plans to continue her studies to degree level.

Course attendees have been invited to participate in the BBC Proms 2015. Taking part in this renowned event will be an excellent opportunity to perform at the highest level and to share the stage with internationally acclaimed musicians and singers. Megan said “I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded this Joan Trimble Bursary and am very much looking forward to taking part in the Ulster Youth Choir’s annual residential course which will hopefully open up a number of opportunities. It is so important that arts and culture are supported and encouraged, especially at a local level.”

Caroline Gant, daughter of the late Joan Trimble and Chair of the Bursary Awards added, “Megan Ryan is a gifted young singer and opportunities to extend musical horizons should be grasped with both hands – as Megan is so clearly doing.  I’m delighted the Joan Trimble Awards have been able to help her participate in the Ulster Youth Choir’s summer school this year, and I’m very confident she will gain inspiration and valuable experience from her time with them.”

Established by her family, the Awards recognise Joan’s lifelong commitment to County Fermanagh and their purpose is to encourage the involvement of young people in creativity, the performing arts and Irish culture. Areas of support for individuals up to and including 25 years of age include: specialist education training sessions and courses; international cultural programmes; participation in master classes and summer schools. Through the encouragement of young people to participate in, be inspired by and enjoy a rich diversity of cultural activities, Joan’s vision of wider opportunity and access to the arts for new generations is being perpetuated.

For more information on the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards CLICK HERE