SEPHIRA – BIOGRAPHY

Sephira are Joyce O’Leary (vocals and violin) and Ruth O’Leary (violin and vocals)- two young classically trained musicians who have forged their own musical niche. Their debut album ‘Believe’ was released to critical acclaim in 2006.

The girls’ musical background is what can only be described as multifaceted! At 18 Ruth headed to the prestigious London Guildhall School of Music to study for a BA in Music Performance. She continued her studies in Dublin, where she received her first class honours B.A. with a performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto at the NCH. During these long years of study Ruth was torn between her classical training where she was attending master-classes over seas with world-renowned professors and soloists and the beckoning world of show business that saw her perform with world-class acts such as Rodrigo y Gabriela and Kanye West.
Joyce, in hot pursuit of her older sister started playing the violin at the age of two and a half. At the age of 3, she made her debut performance in the NCH playing a Bach Minuet and at the age of 9, she was presented with the prestigious award for /Ireland’s Most Promising Violinist/. While Joyce’s playing ability remained unquestionable it was her burning desire to sing that could no longer be ignored. At the age of sixteen Joyce won the lead role of Eliza Dolittle in her school’s production of My Fair Lady and it was this that marked the beginning of a new era for her.
Joyce’s true potential and vocal abilities were realised through a wonderful collaboration with singer and teacher, Evelyn Dowling. For as long as they could remember Ruth and Joyce had been performing as a violin duo and it was through the aforementioned collaboration that the siblings began finding new ways to enhance their vocal harmonies together. The beautiful combination of their vocals and violins were to become the essence of the Sephira sound. Sephira’s unique sound can compare to the emotional swells of a movie, sensational, dramatic, and filled with the full sweep of human passions. Throughout the last two years they have been mesmerising audiences with their live performances. As well as their own material their live show includes some very popular cover songs including Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and Love of my Life by Freddie Mercury, reworked with the distinctive Sephira sound.
Since the release of their album Believe in 2006 Sephira have completed two successful Irish tours, performed live on the Irish television station (TG4) and have also appeared as special guests for a number of artists at some of Ireland’s leading concert venues, including the Olympia Theatre (Dublin), the INEC (Killarney), the Opera House (Cork) and the Millennium Forum (Derry).
Their debut performance outside of Ireland was in January 2007 at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow as the opening act for Clannad as part of the Celtic Connections festival that was televised by the BBC. Sephira exceeded all expectations when 'Believe' became the talking point of the festival and went on to become the No.1 selling Irish Album. In March 2007, Sephira travelled to Lithuania to perform with an orchestra in a special televised concert as part of the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius. In April 2007 Sephira joined forces with Brian McFadden for a TV special that aired on the Irish Television Station (RTE2). The girls have also made television appearances with artists such as Michael Bublé, Westlife, Kanye West, Alison Moyet, Tom Baxter, Katherine Jenkins, Brian Kennedy, Gilbert O’Sullivan and Paul Harrington.
December 07 saw the girls embark on a very different venture proving their endless abilities to collaborate with different realms of music. They were flown to Nigeria by private jet to perform at two 10,000 capacity concerts with Kanye West, the biggest selling rap artist in the world with multi-platinum hits such as ‘Goldigga’ and ‘Stronger’. Before leaving for Nigeria, the girls performed with him at his two sell-out Irish Concerts in the The Big Top in the Phoenix Park, Dublin and The Odyssey in Belfast.
In March of this year Sephira appeared as special guests for Clannad on their UK Revival Tour performing in prestigious venues throughout the UK including The Sage in Gateshead, The London Palladium and The Brighton Dome. Much to the sibling’s delight whispers of Sephira have been circling the globe, and with offers flying in from all over the world the girls are often torn between commitments in Ireland and opportunities abroad. Sephira had only touched down in Ireland from their UK tour when they were jetted off again to make a guest appearance in Qatar as part of the prestigious launch of the new BMW and Rolls Royce. Very recently, Sephira performed at a private function for Larry Hagman, the actor better known as J.R Ewing from the hit TV series Dallas. The girls were delighted to hear that the world famous actor was a fan of Sephira and thoroughly enjoyed spending an evening with Larry and his wife, Maj. Before the evening was out the famous couple had extended an invitation to Sephira to join them at their Hollywood home during the group’s upcoming visit to the USA.
Sephira are currently working on their new single, ‘Love of My Life’ written by Freddie Mercury due for release in August/September 08.

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