About Marion
She
started out life as a folk singer in a band called “Cairdeas”
making their first album at the fresh age of 17 “Let me hear your voice”.
Although now at 32 her repertoire stretches from Jazz, Folk, Musical
to Classical and back again. Working with lots of choirs and musical groups,
including John Anderson’s “Voices”
where
You name it she sings it!
She studied at the Fionna Duncan Jazz School and performed at the Glasgow Jazz Festival in 1999.
"She provides a very
impressive vocal display of jazz standards and ballads, showing a beautiful
control of her vibrato."
Linley Hamilton, BBC Broadcaster,Jazz Trumpeter.
She recorded a standard jazz compilation in 2000 using local artists such as the adventurous Brian Connors who recently collaborated with Eleanor Mc Evoy. She plans to hopefully record another album in the coming year with tracks written for her by a successful Nigerian Artist, Age Beeka.
Diverse Marion also enjoys her acting roles, performing as "Lady Thiang" with St Agnes Musical Society in the production “The King & I”, Grand Opera House 2003, staring as Katisha in The Mikado 2007. After a successful performance as Gianetta in the Gondoliers 2006, Marion gained an award for best supporting actress at “Aims”. Her enjoyment of the Musical scene has also brought her to far off places such as a tour of India in July 2007 with the Charitable Singing organisation “Toccata” -directed by Judith Sheridan.
Marion has appeared since with stars like Jacqui Dankworth (Derry Jazz Festival 2005) Peter Corry (On Eagle’s Wing, Odyssey 2004) and Jackie Flavelle (Gracie Neills,Donaghadee).
After working with such people she is in demand as Siobhan Petit and Rod Patterson’s vocal choice for Jazz Bands and other musical events.
She is also in constant demand for Church Weddings and any classical ventures.
Recently Marion has been called to work with the Ulster Orchestra quartet with the renowned violinist Nigel Ireland, and the Lesley Dennison Quartet singing a mixture of Irish/Scottish Traditional, Pop and Classical pieces.
Marion is also now finding time to pass on her extensive knowledge of the art of singing blossomed by her training from the exceptional Nuala Anthony at The Belfast School of Music, leading her to be an established vocal coach at The Contemporary Music School (ICM), Belfast