When not flying solo Joy is to be found singing and dancing with a variety of other musicians including:-
ANDREW DUNLOP [ Piano, clàrsach]
Joy's ever patient brother is an amazingly talented musician and hugely versatile player who can dazzle on both piano and harp and is greatly involved with both the classical and traditional genres of music. He is currently studying for his Master of Music (MMus) at the Royal Northern College of Music with Carole Presland & Alexaner Melnikov having won several major scholarships including RNCM scholarship, Countess of Munster Musical Trust, The Craxton Memorial Trust, Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarship, Musicians Benevolent Fund and The Worshipful Company of Musicians. Andrew also recently graduated with First Class Honours in his BMus, in addition to the Alfred Clay Scholarship for the highest piano recital mark and The Hilda Anderson Deane Prize for the highest academic marks. Recent concerto performances include Bartok's Third Piano Concerto, Ravel G Major (both with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra) and Mozart's Piano Concerto in A Major K488, with competition success including First Prize in the RNCM Ravel Competition, Concerto Competition, Third Prize in the RNCM Recital Prize and Bronze Medal and Outstanding Commendation in the Marlow International Concerto Competition. Highlights of 2008 include a solo debut Tour of New Zealand's South Island, debut performance on BBC Radio Three and a Tour of North US/Canada as accompanist to the National Children's Choir of Great Britain in addition to winning further awards from the Countess of Munster and Sir James Carid Trust. In August, Andrew will commence his studies as a Fulbright Scholar at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester (USA) on the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) programme, studying under renowned pianist and pedagogue, Professor Barry Snyder.
ATOMIC PISEAG
The infamous Atomic Piseag (or Atomaig Piseag or Piseagan Atomaig, if you don't get the joke!) is a collection of ladies from all over Argyll, Scotland who simply love to sing. Dedicated members come from Campbeltown, Tarbert Loch Fyne, Lochgilphead, Dunoon, Taynuilt, Barcaldine, Oban, Isle of Mull and Carnoustie but none is so far traveled as our bold conductor, Raymond Bremner, who hails from Thrumster. Holders of the Esme Smythe Trophy at the Royal National Mòd in 2005 and 3 times Pan Celtic International Festival winners, find out more about this group of party piseagan at www.piseag.co.uk
CÒISIR GHÀIDHLIG THAIGH AN UILLT
This group of party people make up an enthusiastic Gaelic Choir of around 40 members from the scenic Highland village of Taynuilt in Argyll on the West Coast of Scotland, interested in promoting traditional language and culture whilst not forgetting to enjoy ourselves at the same time. Our aim is to establish links with choirs in the UK and other countries, especially Gaelic speaking / learning musical groups. Not only is Joy one of their top sopranos, she now keeps the troops in order as their new Gaelic tutor. Please visit their site if you are interested in Scottish traditional music and would like to share experiences and culture (and a bit of "craic")! www.taynuiltgaelicchoir.co.uk
CEANN AN TUIRC
THE hottest thing to hit the Mod scene...ever! A collection of Argyll's most attractive male singers, this group of male voices swept the boards at this year's Royal National Mòd under Joy' direction. Consisting of members from throughout Argyll, they meet on a monthly basis to get the craic and sing songs. Always on the look out for new members, if you are have Argyll connections and are vocally blessed Joy wants to hear from you! See www.bebo.com/ceannantuirc for more info.
Influences
Everything and anything! From old Gaelic singers to new bands, from folk music to songs on the radio inspiration and influence can be found in all types of music.
Sounds Like
"Remember Joy Dunlop from the Royal National Mod? Her Gaelic singing was exquisite." BBC Shropshire
"Joy Dunlop has a voice that will enthrall ANYONE! Yes...she is THAT good!" IRFT Celtic Music Radio
"Tha Joy Dunlop a' cosnadh cliù dhi fhèin mar shàr sheinneadair Gàidhlig-Joy Dunlop is making a name for herself as a great Gaelic singer" An Gàidheal Ùr
"Joy Dunlop, was cited as an example of the benefits which the Mod can bring. She has developed into such an accomplished speaker that she has been put forward this year as one of the adjudicators for today's competitions." The Scotsman
"Joy Dunlop sang like a lintie and enthralled the audience, keeping them in the palm of her hand all night" The Oban Times
"I am more enchanted by her voice every time that i hear her. A truly natural and wonderful talent" ACG Manchester
With talents ranging from singing to television presenting, dancing to award-winning Gaelic journalism, Joy Dunlop certainly has more strings to her bow than most. Born and raised in the rural village of Connel in Argyll, she was immersed in Gaelic culture from an early age, regularly participating in local Fèisean and Mòds where she won acclaim both for her singing, dancing and enthusiasm for the music and language. Since then she has competed and performed throughout the country with great success. A founding member of Ceòl Gàire , Joy and her band toured extensively throughout Scotland in their younger days before embarking on solo projects.
Having held the full time post of Gaelic development officer in Argyll, Bute and the Islands for An Comunn Gaidhealach since graduating, Joy is well known for her commitment and dedication to the promotion and development of Gaelic and involvement in a wide range of Gaelic activities. She gained an international perspective to her work in 2007 and 2008 whilst working on sabbatical as Gaelic Instructor in residence for Fèis Mhàbu in Cape Breton for six months and with communities in New Zealand promoting and developing Gaelic language and song. She is also a popular language teacher having taught courses for Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Clì, CNSA and local Gaelic organisations and is also in great demand throughout Scotland as both a written and simultaneous translator. Her engaging manner and ease in front of a microphone has led her to be a popular guest speaker and MC for events and conferences both in the UK and further a field. Joy is also a much sought after local and National Mod adjudicator for both Gaelic and music.
Over the last few years Joy has been performing and teaching Gaelic song throughout the country and abroad. The lead singer of winning traditional groups at the Pan Celtic International Festival [2003, 2004, 2005] she was also crowned runner up in the International Traditional Song competition in 2005. Winning the Oban Times Gold medal and the Puirt-a-Beul competition at The Royal National Mod in 2006 and the prestigious Oran Mòr competition in 2007 confirmed her status as one of Scotland's most promising and popular performers. A regular on the traditional music circuit, Joy is at ease both performing at international festivals and entertaining the home audiences at the local ceilidhs and events.
In addition to her solo work, Joy is also heavily involved in Gaelic choral music as the conductor of Còisir Ceann an Tuirc , the 2008 National Mòd winning Argyll male voice Gaelic choir & as a member of the infamous Argyll ladies choir Atomic Piseag, who have also enjoyed impressive Mòd success. She is the Gaelic tutor for and member of Taynuilt Gaelic Choir, who swept the boards at the Royal National Mod in 2007 & 2008 in the Sheriff MacMaster Campbell competition under her tutorage and a member of Dealrach, an Argyll based female quartet who also won gold on their first ever outing at this year’s Royal National Mòd.
Her competitive success was not limited to singing however, in 2006 she was was crowned Traditional Interceltic Dance Champion at the International Pan Celtic Festival. This has led to her being in great demand at workshops and festivals worldwide and is always eager to meet other dancers of any genre and swap steps and styles.
It’s often said that if you want something done, ask a busy person and if that’s true, then Joy should be first in line for questions! Despite her frantic schedule she always has time for a great cup of tea and a chat and would be delighted to hear from you. For more information and to read Joy's official biography, please visit her website www.joydunlop.com Nach tig sibh a thadhail oirre?!
Ruby Jane Article in New York Times!! http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/who-do-these-guys-think-they-are/ AND Check out the new pictures and video! Let me know what you think! Ruby Jane
Not too late to get advance tickets for my shows coming up - including two tickets for £5 for my Birmingham gig (3 Nov). And remember I'm playing with Ebb at the ICA in London (9 Nov) - this is a very special performance and it would be great to see you there. /MaJiKer
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Heyyy! I am wondering what your up to! Stop by and say Hi!! Hope you enjoy "Out There Somewhere" is being t released to radio next week!! Please check it out and let me know what you think!! thanks~ It means a lot to me...Have an awesome week!!! TTYL!
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