Fundraiser for talented young Laois harpists to travel to Japan

A group of five young Laois harpists are fundraising ahead of a planned tour of Japan next month. 

The five young harpists from Music Generation Laois are from Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Abbeyleix. 

The Music Generation Laois Senior Harp Ensemble- together with their teacher Siobhan Buckley-  have been invited to travel to Japan by harpist Riko Matsuoka, to tour original music by Composer Michael Rooney. 

This music, ‘The Spirit of Laois’ was commissioned by Music Generation Laois in 2017 and has since been performed at many events in Laois and across the country, promoting Laois and young Laois musicians. 

The ten day music tour will include three performances in professional concert venues, a performance in the Irish embassy in Tokyo and a schools project. The tour will take place from August 14 to 23.

The five young harpists travelling to Japan are Kiêu Conroy from Portlaoise, a second year student in Mountmellick Community School (prize winner at Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil and the International Pan Celtic Festival in Carlow), Emily Breslin, a native of Mountmellick and second year student in Alexandra College Dublin (prize winner at the Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil, Emily has performed at the Breizh Pan Celtic festival in Brittany, France, and in Tennessee, USA.),  Dasha Buckova from Portlaoise, a third year student in Heywood Community School, Niamh O’Shea from Abbeyleix, a second year student in Heywood Community School and Lily Van Den Bergh, a fourth year student in Dunamase College, Portlaoise. 

These young musicians are excellent ambassadors for Laois. The ensemble performed in July 2022 at the World Harp Congress in Cardiff, as well as many other community events locally in Laois, and at concerts throughout Ireland.

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The five young harpists have come up through the Music Generation Laois harp programme since 2012, with the majority beginning their harp studies in their local national school and from there attending classes in Laois Music Centre.

Music Generation Laois is part of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, a registered charity. Music Generation Laois is now fundraising to cover the costs of this once-in-a-lifetime tour. Any assistance to bring this original music celebrating Laois, and five wonderful young Laois musicians to Japan would be greatly appreciated.

To make a donation email mgl@loetb.ie. This group of talented young musicians would be delighted to perform at an event or a local business in lieu of a donation.