The WCOPA Grand Champion Vocal Group of the World

Congratulations to Lavinia Gilmartin and the team of fantastic singers who travelled to Los Angeles to perform at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA). The team, who were based in Ballina in the west of Ireland, had been working hard on solo performance pieces and a collection of stunning group pieces – including ‘Danny Boy’, ‘Ain’t It Good’ and ‘Seasons of Love’. Over the past year I travelled to Ballina a few times to work alongside Lavinia to help the team prepare.

I am thrilled that the group were crowned The WCOPA Grand Champion Vocal Group of the World. Here is a breakdown of their solo achievements.

Solo Achievements

Rebecca Casey – 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal
Laura Hunt – Industry Award, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals
Amanda Browne – Industry Award, 2 bronze and 1 silver medal
Danielle Hunt – Industry Award, 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals
Carrie Coleman – Industry Award and 1 silver medal
Paul Clesham (Claremorris based instrumentalist) – 1 gold and 1 silver medal.
Ciaran Hopkins – 1 gold and 1 bronze medal
Michael Slater – 2 silver and 1 bronze medal
Louise Maloney – Industry Award. In talks with Million Dollar Records’ management
Roisin Timoney – Industry Award, 1 gold and 2 silver. Roisin is WCOPA Grand Champion in Dance Category
Patrick Lacken – 1 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze
Owen Murphy – 2 silver and 1 bronze medal and a $500 scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Performing Arts for acting
Valerie Loftus – Industry award, 2 gold and 1 silver medal and a $500 scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Performing Arts for acting
Olwyn Murray (Ballyhaunis) – Industry award and 5 gold medals
Niamh Murray (Ballyhaunis) – 1 silver medal
Laura Nash – Industry Award, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal
Cian Harrison – Industry Award, 2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medal. In talks with Million Dollar Records Management. Black Eyed Peas’ songwriter wants to compose a song for him to perform

The group of 12 known as Rèalta (Ciaran Hopkins, Jacqueline Munnelly, Michael Slater, Louise Maloney, Roisin Timoney, Patrick Lacken, Owen Murphy, Valerie Loftus, Olwyn Murray, Laura Nash, Cian Harrison and Niamh Murray) performed in a total of 6 categories and they won 6 gold medals and 4 overall champion category awards. Rèalta was crowned The WCOPA Grand Champion Vocal Group of the World.

• Industry awards are awarded by adjudicators over the course of the week to entrants they feel they would give work to if they were in the USA.

A fantastic achievement.

Matthew