Lynn Hilary

Lynn Hilary
Born April 21, 1982
Dublin, Ireland
Genres Celtic, Acoustic, Adult Contemporary, Classical
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 2000 – Present
Labels Celtic Collections
Manhattan
Associated acts Celtic Woman, Anúna
Website LynnHilary.ie

Lynn Hilary is an Irish singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She also has performed as a featured soprano soloist in the all-female ensemble Celtic Woman.

Career

Hilary was born in Dublin, Ireland, and completed a Bachelor of Music performance degree in 2005 at the DIT College of Music.[1] Initially singing classical music,[2] she moved to Celtic music to be able to "use [her] natural vocal range". Among the singers who influenced her, she counts Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, and Karen Carpenter.[3]

Anúna

Hilary joined the Irish choral group Anúna[4][5] in 2000. She toured the United States, Morocco, the Netherlands, and Finland with the group, and she has sung with the choir and featured as a soloist on five of their albums: Invocation (2001), Winter Songs (2001), Behind the Closed Eye (2002), Sensation (2006) and "Illumination" (2012). She also performed the lead vocal of the piece "Cloudsong" from Riverdance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2003 Special Olympics in Croke Park, Dublin, and toured the US with Riverdance in 2006 as a featured soloist.[6] She released a solo album, Take Me With You, in 2008.

Celtic Woman

In 2007, longtime Celtic Woman member Méav Ní Mhaolchatha decided to leave the group to focus on her solo career. As a result, Hilary joined the group in time to feature in the A New Journey tour, which started on 10 October 2007 in Estero, FL. She was the first new full-time member to join the group since its inception in 2004.[7]

Hilary has featured to date in Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey, Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart, Celtic Woman: Lullaby, and the Japanese release of Celtic Woman: Believe. She has only appeared in one PBS special/DVD, Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart which was shot at Powerscourt House and Gardens in Summer 2009. She has also appeared in three tours, A New Journey, Isle of Hope, and Songs from the Heart.[8]

Following Celtic Woman's inaugural Australian Tour in November 2010, Hilary announced she would be leaving Celtic Woman to return to her home and life in Ireland.[9] She was replaced by actress Lisa Lambe as part of the Celtic Woman line-up. On 14 February 2014 it was announced that Lynn would be returning to Celtic Woman for their Emerald tour in March while Lisa Lambe goes on a short 'leave of absence.' Lisa Lambe returned for two tours in the fall and winter of 2014, but announced she would be concentrating on solo work in 2015. Lynn Hilary was again seen in promotional material for the Celtic Woman Tenth Anniversary Tour starting in January 2015, and it is thought that she will remain a member at least for the remainder of 2015.

Post-Celtic Woman

In September 2011, Hilary returned to music as a member of the Irish singing trio the Bluebelles, with two current Anuna members Nicola Lewis and Rebecca Winckworth. She continues to sing with Anúna, appearing with them on the soundtrack of Diablo III as a soloist and on the 2012 Anúna CD release "Illumination".

According to a trailer released in 2012, Hilary was to be a featured soloist in a new show entitled "The Roots of Ireland," but she has since returned to Riverdance. She was a member of a musical group called Babylon Sisters which featured Lisa Nolan, and fellow Anúna singer, Rebecca Winckworth. The group disbanded when Winckworth left to tour with Celtic Nights, and Hilary with Riverdance. Hilary will be releasing her first album since 2009, titled "Saturn Return" which is due later in 2014.

According to the celtic woman website, Hilary has rejoined with the music ensemble for their next album.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Lynn" bio in Celtic Woman: A New Journey Souvenir Program (2007), pp. 10–11 (paraphrased information appears on p. 11)
  2. ↑ "Celtic Woman Brings a Touch o' the Irish". St. Petersburg Times. 18 October 2007. pp. 28W. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  3. ↑ Colucci, Rosa (13 March 2008). "Music Preview: Celtic Woman gives Irish soprano chance to shine". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Celtic Woman". Charlotte Observer. 19 October 2007. pp. 21H.
  5. ↑ "Past Members of Anúna 1997 to 2009". Anuna.ie. 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  6. ↑ Burger, David (24 April 2008). "Celtic Woman is a slam-dunk success". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  7. ↑ Lynn was the first new full-time member of Celtic Woman since 2004, as opposed to Deidre Shannon who temporarily replaced Méav during the first American Tour in 2005.
  8. ↑ Richards, David (18 February 2010). "Celtic Woman to enchant the Warner on Tuesday". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  9. ↑ "Lynn's Message". Celticwoman.com. 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2011.

External links