Offaly soprano selected to represent Ireland at prestigious choral programme in Hungary

A RISING young soprano from County Offaly has been selected to represent Ireland in an international choral programme at the prestigious Liszt Academy in Budapest this summer.

Caitlin Minnock, a student at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, was chosen for the Blended Intensive Programme at the renowned Hungarian conservatoire. The initiative brings together top vocal and choral students from across Europe to collaborate, rehearse, and perform in a high-level artistic exchange.

Caitlin is currently studying under Kathleen Tynan, and was previously a student of the late Prof. Mary Brennan. She was named Most Promising Female Performer in the 2024 Irene Sandford Award at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, recognising her exceptional vocal talent and artistic potential.

This opportunity follows further recent success for the Offaly native, who placed 2nd and 3rd in two competitions at the 2025 Feis Ceoil, Ireland’s national classical music competition.

Later this summer, Caitlin will also travel to Italy to take part in the Daniel Ferro Vocal Programme, an intensive international opera training course for emerging singers, working under the guidance of leading vocal coaches and directors.

Her involvement highlights not only her personal dedication and talent, but also the strength of Ireland’s classical training institutions and the calibre of emerging Irish artists making their mark internationally.

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