Talented Offaly musician receives prestigious RIAM Spotlight Award

Evelyn Varghese was recently honoured by the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) at a concert and awards ceremony in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan. 

The talented musician from Offaly performed before an invited audience of family and friends on Sunday, October 20th ahead of accepting a RIAM Spotlight Award from Paul Plunkett, Managing Director, ACE Autobody.  

Almost 40 music and drama students from all over Leinster were present to accept their RIAM Spotlight Award in the company of family, friends, neighbours and fellow aspiring artists.    

Earlier this year RIAM announced this exciting new initiative, the RIAM Spotlight Awards to recognise and celebrate the diverse achievements of some of the almost 30,000 students around Ireland who engage annually with RIAM Exams. 

Presented in partnership with Ace Autobody as sponsors, the RIAM Spotlight Awards aim to reap real impactful benefits celebrating the achievements of young musicians who aspire for success in their creative endeavours and who, in turn, inspire other young people to achieve their dreams. 

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Each year almost 30,000 enthusiastic performers across a wide range of disciplines participate in RIAM Exams throughout the whole of Ireland.   

Stars such as musicians Sinéad O’Connor and Kian Egan, Harry Potter actress Evanna Lynch, TV presenter Lisa Cannon and actors Sarah Bolger and Andrew Scott are among the hundreds of luminaries who have, since participating in this examination system, gone on to forge highly successful careers.

Paul Plunkett, Managing Director at Ace Autobody Ltd, said: "We are extremely proud to be associated with sponsorship of the RIAM Spotlight Awards, it is a truly unique experience for aspiring young talent. To be able to support fulfilling the dreams, and recognise the incredible talents of these young people is an honour for Ace Autobody. The success achieved is the sum of hard work and dedication repeated day in and day out by these young musicians."

Deborah Kelleher, Director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, said: "I am delighted to welcome Ace Autobody as sponsors of the Spotlight Awards.  With shared values based on excellence and national reach, we are confident that this partnership can reap real impactful benefits celebrating the achievements of young musicians who aspire for success in their creative endeavours and who, in turn, inspire other young people to achieve their dreams."