Annette Halpin Awards mark 10 years supporting young musicians
By William O'Connor
South Dublin’s Arts Office held a free event in the Performance Space in Rua Red Arts Centre to mark 10 years of the Annette Halpin Memorial Music Awards.
Annette Halpin was a singer / songwriter from Tallaght, widely known for her role in community activism and community development. Sadly, she passed away in 2009 following a short illness.
Her family and friends wanted to celebrate Annette’s legacy and her interest in supporting young musicians in South Dublin County by providing an award towards their professional development, which might include master classes, purchase of instruments, recording, or travel.
The award is funded by South Dublin County Council and the Halpin Family.
Following the success of the inaugural award, South Dublin’s Arts Office and the Halpin family decided to continue to offer it on an annual basis and for a decade now it has provided much needed support for a number of young musicians.
Musicians working in a variety of genres have benefitted, from singer-songwriters to bands to classically trained solo instrumentalists.
The award has helped young musicians fund the purchase of instruments, recording equipment, master classes and more, and has proven incredibly helpful in the development of a number of highly talented young people in the county.
The anniversary event featured a performance from special guest Michele Ann Kelly, a singer-songwriter and theatre maker from Tallaght, and from some of the past recipients of the award including Sean OB, Amy Kelly & Lola Lynch (now performing as Andi), Miriam Kaczor, Emma Kenrick, Amy Costello, Domhnaill Corrigan and the White Family.
There was also a special performance by Vivo Voices, a new vocal group set up by Music Generation South Dublin that is made up of young people from across South Dublin County.
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