Artistic Director
Michael T. Dawson is a conductor, composer, and Fulbright Scholar from Dublin, Ireland and is holds a DMA in Choral Music from the University of Southern California. Michael graduated top of his class with a First Class Honours degree in music from National University of Ireland, Maynooth in 2011 and holds a Masters degree in Ritual, Chant and Song from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. Michael worked at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth directing the Maynooth University Chamber Choir from 2011 – 2016 and led the choir on multiple tours of the U.S, China and Europe. Under his direction, the Choir won two gold diplomas at the Canta en Primavera – Malaga International Choral Festival and became the first Irish choir, and youngest conductor win the prestigious “Choir of the World” competition the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, one of the oldest choral competitions in the world.
As a singer Michael spent five years touring with the Internationally renowned choral group Anúna singing in China, Holland, Sweden, Norway and Germany. He regularly facilitates workshops with choirs around Ireland and has adjudicated in Ireland and Belarus. In 2014 Michael founded the Fingal Academy of Music with Dónal Kearney which currently provides instrument and voice tuition to over one thousand-two-hundred students.
In March, 2020, Fingal International Festival of Voices, a festival which celebrates diversity by building community through inclusion, launched with Michael as Artistic Director. The festival will take place annually in the beautiful seaside town of Balbriggan, Dublin and will bring national and international singing groups together to share their culture through stories and song.
In addition to choral music Michael also has a keen interest in traditional Irish and Scottish music and plays the Low whistle, Bagpipes and Uilleann pipes.