Conor McCarthy
Musical Director

Conor McCarthy is delighted to serve as Musical Director for this year’s production with American College Dublin. He has thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the students on the vibrant and energetic The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Conor also lectures part-time on the college’s Musical Theatre degree programme and most recently musically directed the Fourth Year Showcase at the Abbey Theatre.

Originally from Limerick and now based in Gorey, Co. Wexford, Conor is a pianist, teacher, and musical director working extensively across Ireland. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education (B.Mus.Ed.) from Trinity College Dublin and the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, along with performance diplomas in Piano from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) and the London College of Music (ALCM).

As a musical director and accompanist, Conor regularly collaborates with musical societies, schools, and performance organisations throughout the country. He is the founder of North Wexford Musical Theatre, and his recent musical direction credits include Into the Woods, Oklahoma!, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Clockmaker’s Daughter.

Conor’s work has received significant recognition in recent years. In 2023, he was nominated for Best Musical Director at the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) Awards for Gorey Musical Society’s production of West Side Story. He received a second nomination in 2024 and went on to win the award for North Wexford Musical Theatre’s production of Rent.

Alongside his theatre work, Conor continues to perform at major concert and theatrical events throughout Ireland. 

Recent highlights include serving as Acting Musical Director for the premiere of Irish Affair, a new musical by Stuart Brayson with executive production by Tim Rice; performing alongside Imelda May on her Mother of All the Behans tour; appearing with ABBA Orchestral in Dublin’s 3Arena; and performing with the Niall Kinsella Orchestra in The Best of Broadway Musicals from the 60s & 70s at the National Concert Hall.

Dr. Deirdre Masterson
Producer

Dr Deirdre Masterson is an acclaimed Irish soprano, vocal coach, producer, and academic leader whose career spans more than three decades across performance, education, and interdisciplinary voice research. She currently serves as Performing Arts Dean at American College Dublin and Director of the Irish College of Music Theatre (IMT), where she pioneered the introduction of Music Theatre into the institution’s accredited programmes. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping Ireland’s contemporary performing arts landscape, nurturing emerging talent and expanding access to high-quality professional training.

A native of Gorey, Co. Wexford, Deirdre began her musical studies at the Wexford School of Music under Alan Cutts and made her Wexford International Opera Festival debut at just twelve years old in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. Awarded a full scholarship to study Opera and Drama at one of Dublin’s leading conservatories under the renowned Dr Veronica Dunne, she graduated with distinction before completing a Master’s in Performance at TU Dublin in 2013. She recently earned her Doctor of Arts degree from the London School of Management and Technology, where her research focuses on vocal technique, rehabilitation, and the lived experiences of professional singers.

Deirdre made her professional operatic debut at eighteen with Opera Ireland, performing the roles of the Sandman and Dewfairy in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. She has since enjoyed a distinguished performance career across opera, operetta, concert, recital, and commercial recording. Her accolades include becoming the youngest singer ever to win the prestigious Gervase Elwes Award at Feis Ceoil and receiving a scholarship to study with legendary Wagnerian soprano Astrid Varnay in Munich. She has performed internationally to critical acclaim, from Ireland’s National Concert Hall to Carnegie Hall.

A founding member of The Irish Sopranos, Deirdre toured extensively across Europe and the United States from 2000 to 2013, achieving chart success with the albums A Time for Us and Believe. Her recording career includes contributions to Faith of Our Fathers, Who Fears to Speak, and her solo EP You Will Be the Light, which reached the top three in the Irish album charts. In 2022, she achieved two number-one singles—Dreamer and Jealous of the Angels—from the orchestral album Mo Chroí, recorded with Philharmonia Bulgarica. Subsequent chart-topping releases include O Holy Night with the Celtic Tenors (2022), Run in support of Relay for Life (2023), Only Love (2024), and The Power of Love (2025). She is currently recording a new album with Grammy-nominated producer Billy Farrell, due for release later this year.

Widely regarded as one of Europe’s leading vocal coaches, Deirdre works with artists across genres, including Dermot Kennedy, Picture This, Kodaline, Damien Dempsey, Gavin James, Allie Sherlock, Celtic Woman, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Irish National Opera, and Wexford International Opera Festival soloists. She has also served as a vocal coach for the Eurovision Song Contest.

In 2011, she founded the Irish College of Music Theatre, Ireland’s first Musical Theatre college, accrediting third level courses in Ireland in collaboration with DIT (now TU), with alumni gracing the West End and International stages.

Deeply committed to vocal rehabilitation, Deirdre collaborates with ENT surgeon Mr Mark Rafferty and Dr Ciarán Kenny of Trinity College Dublin, promoting interdisciplinary approaches to vocal health. She is a regular guest lecturer, adjudicator, and producer, most recently directing two sold-out performances of Stuart Brayson’s Irish Affair at the National Opera House, produced in partnership with Sir Tim Rice and CBE Chris Wright.

Emer Haughton
Choreographer

Emer is a Dublin based performer with a passion for teaching. Since gaining her BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance from London Studio Centre, Emer has enjoyed performing and choreographing on various different stages around the world. Her credits include; Rehearsal Director for TAG Live, Dance Captain/Choreographer for Ponant Cruises, MSC Cruises, Circus Vegas and Costa Cruises.