Londonderry pianist, Ruth McGinley, bound for Brussels

The artists are the latest in home-grown talent to represent the arts and culture of Northern Ireland in Europe and will perform on Tuesday 15th December, highlighting the value of the arts to Northern Ireland and showcasing the talent we have in the region.

The award-winning pianist, Ruth McGinley, is an in-demand classical pianist who is a current recipient of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland ACES (Artist Career Enhancement) award. Awards under the Artists Career Enhancement Scheme (ACES) are made annually to professional artists working in music, visual arts, literature and participatory arts and are among the most prestigious awards bestowed by the Arts Council annually.

Both Sinéad and Dawn are current recipients of the Young Musicians’ Platform Award, an initiative of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in collaboration with the BBC which recognises the talents of five high quality musicians through the provision of five individual financial awards of £5000. This award enables the recipients to spend a sizeable amount of time learning from a master musician, mentor, teacher or composer either in Northern Ireland or abroad. Recipients receive two professional radio broadcast engagements, including one with the Ulster Orchestra. Hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels, the event will attract an audience that includes MEPs and key opinion formers amongst EU representatives and is the latest in the Brussels Platform series.

A collaboration between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive Office, the Brussels Platform aims to promote the culture and creativity of Northern Ireland in Europe.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive,Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “The Brussels Platform is all about providing a stage for our local musicians, writers, dancers, theatre practitioners and visual artists to showcase their talent and to convey the culture and creativity that is inherent to Northern Ireland. We are delighted to be able to send Sinéad, Dawn and Ruth to Brussels to showcase their immense talent and wish them every success with their performance. ”

Andrew Elliott, Head of Office in Brussels, added: “The Brussels Platform continues to provide the ideal opportunity to showcase our talent on a European stage and to highlight the region’s ever growing reputation as a centre of excellence in the arts. I look forward to welcoming Ruth, Dawn and Sinéad to Brussels.”