Join Siobhán Kavanagh for a joyful session of singing at Boyle Arts Festival.
This traditional and folk song workshop, led by local, vocal artist and teacher Siobhán Kavanagh, welcomes participants to learn and share songs that explore themes of birds and nature.
This song workshop is designed to be highly inclusive and intimate. The focus is on sharing songs and building community in a safe, welcoming environment. All levels of singers are welcome.
What to expect during this workshop:
2.30pm Vocal warmups and introductions.
The group will start with a vocal warmup that includes breathing exercises, stretching, simple scales and information about vocal technique. If this is something that is new to you, don’t let it stop you – Siobhán is an experienced teacher who will guide through this process.
3pm Group Singing
Siobhán will teach the group songs that focus on breath, listening and togetherness. These are songs that are perfect for group singing to calm the nerves and relax in to the session.
3.30pm – The Songs
Siobhán will perform and teach three songs in total, discussing the theme ‘songs of birds and nature’. You will be provided with lyrics to sing along.
4.30pm – ‘Opening the floor’
We will finish the workshop with our own singing circle. Traditionally, this involves ‘opening the floor’ up to singers to share a song. However, this can also include a story, a poem or a recitation. Any song is welcome, and if you feel ambitious – try find a song with the theme ‘songs of birds and nature’.
Artist Biography
Siobhán Kavanagh is a vocal artist, composer and voice teacher; passionate about research and teaching songs to groups and individuals. Siobhán has studied voice for over 20 years, exploring many genres including classical/opera performance, jazz, traditional singing and extended vocal techniques.
Siobhán was awarded a first class honours degree in music and anthropology and a first class masters in ethnomusicology. Having performed extensively as a singer and songwriter and fronting several original bands; Siobhán now works primarily on collaborative and solo art projects rooted in themes of sound and ecology.
Siobhán has facilitated many groups of singers including choirs, vocal ensembles and improvisational singing groups. Siobhán hosts song circles to bring people together through song; notably ‘Songs of Land & Resistance’ launched at Cashel Arts Festival in 2022 and the current Traditional & Folk Song Circle launched at Walton’s New School of Music’s in September 2025.
