Mayobridge Singer is the ‘Voice of Ireland’
Teen songstress Sophie Lennon from Mayobridge has won the Irish Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
The Sacred Heart Student beat off 4,000 hopefuls in her bid to win the Final last night with two ‘faultless’ performances of Tom Walker’s ‘Leave the Light On’ and Linda’s Martin’s Eurovision hit ‘Why Me’.
The other finalists – local teens Clare Keeley (Gilford) and Niamh Noade (Lislea) – were praised for their powerful and enchanting performances by Judges Niamh Ní Chróinín, Chris Greene and guest judge Brian Kennedy during the TG4 Final (Sunday 23rd October).
All three Finalists are students of Flynn Performing Arts in Newry.
Director of Flynn Performing Arts Fiona Flynn said: “Throughout the heats and televised shows, Clare, Niamh and Sophie have been amazing.
“A huge congratulations to Sophie on such a fantastic win. Both Clare and Niamh gave amazing performances and should feel so proud of their achievements.
“I am immensely proud that a student of Flynn Performing Arts will represent Ireland on the world stage. All three of these young performers have a very bright future ahead of them,” Fiona added.
Sophie will be the ‘voice of Ireland’ at this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Yeveran, Armenia, on 11th December.
Thirteen year old Sophie is no stranger to competition, coming 3rd in last year’s Junior Eurovision Competition Final.
Sophie Lennon said: “I’ve had the most amazing experience with the Junior Eurovision it is so much fun and I have made lots of new friends too.
“I feel so proud to represent Ireland in the Junior Eurovision. It’s really a dream come true.”
This year, Sophie was also named BBC School Soloist 2022 and was a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent. Sophie was chosen as the star of new West End musical ‘Marnie and the Kaleidoscope’ which takes to the stage 2023 and earlier this year appeared in an ITV Children’s series ‘Ted’s Top Ten’.
Now in its 20th year, Junior Eurovision is a huge opportunity for the young hopefuls to showcase their unique singing and musical talents on a global stage.
Fiona Flynn added: “Junior Eurovision will give Sophie such a huge platform. To date over 40 countries have competed in two decades, but there’s never been an Irish winner. Maybe this is our year!”
ABOUT FLYNN PERFORMING ARTS
Having graduated with a three First-Class Honours Degrees including a Masters in Vocal Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Fiona Flynn established Flynn Performing Arts in 2015 in Newry.
The school gained national recognition with students obtaining the highest marks across the UK & Ireland in examinations for seven consecutive years.
The school maintains a 100% distinction record for Musical Theatre Examinations and has raised in excess of £40,000 for local charities.
Fiona’s pupils have enjoyed huge success recently including BBC School Soloist of the Year, RTE’s ‘Toy Show’, Junior Eurovision, Britain’s Got Talent, and The Voice Kids.
The list also includes numerous West End, Operas, TV & Film castings, Broadway auditions, Stagebox membership, multiple feiseanna successes and numerous students gaining places and scholarships in Conservatoires and Musical Theatre Colleges across the UK.
Fiona herself has been hugely successful in the professional performing world having recorded and performed throughout Europe with Riverdance singers, Anuna and has performed extensively with Sestina, Chamber Choir Ireland, Resurgam, NI Opera, Welsh National Opera, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Clannad, Hozier, Les Sirenes, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Voices of Ireland and at numerous BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.
On top of a busy performing career and preparing the girls for Eurovision, Fiona is also a mum of two to Annie and Tom (who is just 14 weeks old.)
