Patricia Brady – The Irish Nightingale

Patricia Brady, “The Irish Nightingale”, is the daughter of Joseph Michael Brady of Scariff, County Clare and Elizabeth D’Arcy Brady (a descendent of the poet, Edmund Burke) of Maryborough, County Laos. Her extraordinary musical gifts were discovered early by her Irish parents who said she could sing a complete melody by age 2!

She was educated at the College of St. Rose, Albany, NY, earning a master’s degree in music. Patricia also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, College of St. Rose, Albany, NY, the first Music graduate to be so honored.

Patricia Brady was chosen as one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans of 2000” by Irish America Magazine.
PBD Associates, Inc., (Professional Bi-Cultural Development, Inc.) Patricia’s non-profit foundation dedicated to helping musicians worldwide, produces “Ireland on Parade”, a traditional Irish Music & Dance extravaganza every year in a different location using local talent. Previous productions of “Ireland on Parade” have been held in Dublin at the National Concert Hall, Chicago, Maryland and Virginia.

Patricia Brady has performed for audiences worldwide, singing in Irish Festivals from Newport, Rhode Island; Savannah, Georgia; to Feile na Bealtaine, County Kerry; Rose of Tralee Festival, Tralee; Dingle, County Kerry and Beara, West Cork. She has performed opera worldwide from Carnegie Hall, New York to Bucharest, Romania, from Spain to Sicily.

For more information about Patricia Brady,
please visit pbdmusic.com

 

Thomas P. Giblin, Master of Ceremonies

Thomas P. Giblin, Master of Ceremonies, Assemblyman, 34 Legislative District, Thomas P. Giblin, is a long time New Jersey Irish community leader, who served as 1984 Grand Marshall Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade and 1975 Grand Marshall of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Among Thomas P. Giblin’s many honors are: President County Roscommon Society of NY, Inc. (3 years);  General Chairman, Newark Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee Grand (12 years); President Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #9 Montclair (3 years);  General Chairman, NJ Irish Festival at Garden State Arts Center;  President Independent Irish Society, Inc. (3 years). Thomas P. Giblin’s father, John J. Giblin, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland. His maternal grandparents were born in County Mayo and Sligo.

The Essex Shillelagh Pipes and Drums

General Manager Joseph McGlone

The Essex Shillelagh Pipes and Drums, General Manager Joseph McGlone, is an organization instituted to promote the ethnic music and traditions of Irish heritage. To this mission, the Essex Shillelagh Pipes and Drums provides music tutoring and instructions on playing bagpipes and drums. Additionally, the band provides scholarships for band members in support of their continued education. This organization is supported by the Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh of Essex County, New Jersey, which provides space for band practice and storage of band equipment. (Visit the Essex Shillelagh Pipes and Drums on Facebook.)

Timothy Liam Smith, Irish Tenor

A theatrical performer since the age of 5, Tim is a former professional actor/singer.  His experience includes over 35 television commercials, local and regional theatre, night club performances in New York City, opera, #1 First Tenor in the New Jersey All-State Chorus and first prize in the New Jersey Young Filmmakers Festival.  In 1983, he was asked to perform for President Ronald Reagan at the Seton Hall University Commencement. Tim has been involved with the Seton Hall University's Celtic Theatre Company since their original musical The Emigrant Journey. Since then he has appeared in and served as musical director for many of their musicals, including Come Back to Erin, Songs Your Fathers Loved and the acclaimed Mother Ireland (Best New Musical in NJ Nominee). He is perhaps best remembered by Celtic and other regional audiences for his one-man performances: John McCormack:  His Life in Song and Story; Reflections: Ireland in Song and Story and Love and Longing, an examination of Irish works of love and yearning for the Irish homeland.  His many performances have made him one of the best-known Irish-American Tenors. (irishtenor.net)

 

Marie Moore School of Irish Dance

Marie Moore-Cunniffe - T.C.R.G./A.D.C.R.G. and Frank Cunniffe - T.C.R.G., Directors

The Marie Moore School of Irish Dance, has been in existence since 1990. The Marie Moore School of Irish Dance is one of the most competitive and successful schools in the NJ area, producing many championship dancers. The school trains students for both solo and team competitions. Many of the dancers have competed at National and International competitions. They have appeared on National TV as well as performed at Radio City, Carnegie Hall and on Broadway. Many have also danced with Riverdance and in Lord of the Dance. Year round the students perform at Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Weddings, parties etc. They also march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and in the Memorial Day parade.  (mariemoore-irishdance.com)

 

New Jersey Youth Chorus

Patricia Joyce, Founder & Director

The New Jersey Youth Chorus, founded in 1992, is an auditioned choral program for children in grades two through twelve, divided into four ensembles. The Advanced Chorus performs frequently with many professional ensembles, including the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra; the Canadian Brass at NJPAC in Newark, and at the State Theater’s Gala under composers Marvin Hamlisch and Bill Conti. The Chorus has sung at the American Choral Director’s Eastern Division Convention, the National Chorus America Conference in Philadelphia and on the Today Show.  The Advanced Chorus has participated in numerous festivals in Hawaii, New Orleans, Canada, England, and in 2007, toured Italy.  The Chorus toured Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany in the summer of 2010. The Chorus regularly hosts visiting youth choirs, such as the Drakensberg Boys Choir from South Africa, the Bach Children’s Chorus from Canada, the Crypt Choir from King's School in Canterbury, England, and the Lincoln Boys Choir from Nebraska. 

The choir’s "Kids for Kids" mission includes opportunities to perform and assist children’s organizations and charities.  To date they have helped raise funds for children of September 11 victims, for children needing open heart surgery in India and participated in fundraising for The Matheny School and the American Cancer Society.  They have also performed to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and relief efforts in Haiti.   In 2010, NJYC's Intermediate Chorus will be performing to benefit the Preeclampsia Foundation and the Young Men's Ensemble has performed at the "Singing for a Cure" concert. For more information about the Chorus or upcoming concerts, please visit njyouthchorus.org or call 908-342-1830.

Patricia Joyce, New Jersey Youth Chorus Founder, Artistic Director and Advanced Chorus Director received her Bachelor of Music degree, magna cum laude, in Music Education from Marywood College in Scranton, PA and her Master of Music degree, With Distinction, in Music Education from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She has completed certification in Kodaly Methodology from the Kodaly Musical Training Institute.  Trish has conducted the Central New Jersey Elementary Honors Choir, the North Jersey Junior High Women's Honors Choir, and the Vermont Children's Choir Festival. Patricia Joyce is the President-Elect of the New Jersey American Choral Directors Association, and also serves as the Co-Chair of the NJ ACDA Summer Conference. Patricia Joyce is an adjunct teacher in the Music Education Department at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, and is also a free-lance organist.

Lois Buesser, Accompanist

Lois Buesser graduated Summa Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University, Piano Performance major, Vocal minor.  She has performed as piano soloist, accompanist, vocalist and band keyboardist in Branson, MO; Greensboro, NC and the New York area.  She entertained troops in Europe and Asia with the USO/DOD, and has shared a stage with Bob Hope, Bill Cosby and Barry Manilow.  Lois has been Music Director for The Enchanted Players, Ridge Light Opera of NJ, and Trilogy Repertory Company.  Her concerts “Lois Buesser - A Musical Extravaganza!” have been presented in several states to delighted audiences.  Lois teaches piano and Kindermusik, arranges music for cabarets, directs a women’s chorus, and is organist of St. Mark’s Church in Basking Ridge.  She lives in Boonton Township with her husband and three children.