Graduate353

Sephira are talented Irish sisters from Carrickmacross, Co.Monaghan; Joyce O'Leary (Vocals & Violin) and Ruth O'Leary (Violin & Vocals)who have forged their own musical niche,releasing their debut album ‘Believe’ in 2006 to critical acclaim. The combination of their vocals and violins are the essence of the Sephira sound. Sephira’s unique sound can compare to the emotional swells of a movie, sensational, dramatic, and filled with the full sweep of human passions.

Background

The siblings began their musical journey at a very early age. Joyce was two and a half and Ruth was six when they started learning how to play the violin.
At the age of 3, Joyce made her debut performance in the National Concert Hall playing a Bach Minuet and at the age of 9, she was presented with the prestigious award for Ireland’s Most Promising Violinist. At the age of sixteen Joyce won the lead role of Eliza Dolittle in her school’s production of My Fair Lady and it was this that marked the beginning of a new era for her. Joyce’s true potential and vocal abilities were realised through a wonderful collaboration with singer and teacher, Evelyn Dowling.
At 18 Ruth headed to the prestigious London Guildhall School of Music to study for a BA in Music Performance. She continued her studies in Dublin, where she received her first class honours B.A. with a performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto at the National Concert Hall,Dublin. During her years of study Ruth attended master-classes over seas with world-renowned professors and soloists and the beckoning world of show business that saw her perform with world-class acts such as Rodrigo y Gabriela and Kanye West. Sephira was "born" in 2006 with the release of their debut album 'Believe'!

2006-2008

Since the release of their album Believe in 2006 Sephira have completed two successful Irish tours, performed live on the Irish television station (TG4) and have also appeared as special guests for a number of artists at some of Ireland’s leading concert venues, including the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, the INEC in Killarney, the Cork Opera House and the Millennium Forum in Derry. Their debut performance outside of Ireland was in January 2007 at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as the opening act for Clannad as part of the Celtic Connections festival that was televised by the BBC. Sephira's album 'Believe' became the No.1 selling Irish Album at the festival. In March 2007, Sephira travelled to Lithuania to perform with an orchestra in a special televised concert as part of the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius. In April 2007 Sephira joined forces with Brian McFadden for a TV special that aired on the Irish Television Station (RTE2). The girls have also made television appearances with artists such as Michael Bublé, Westlife, Kanye West, Alison Moyet, Tom Baxter, Katherine Jenkins, Brian Kennedy, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Andrea Corr and Paul Harrington.

Sephira & Kanye West

December 07 saw the girls embark on a very different venture proving their endless abilities to collaborate with different realms of music. They were flown to Nigeria by private jet to perform at two 10,000 capacity concerts with Kanye West, the biggest selling rap artist in the world with multi-platinum hits such as ‘Goldigga’ and ‘Stronger’. Before leaving for Nigeria, the girls performed with him at his two sell-out Irish Concerts in the The Big Top in the Phoenix Park, Dublin and The Odyssey in Belfast.

Sephira & Clannad

In March of this year Sephira appeared as special guests for Clannad on their extensive UK Revival Tour performing in prestigious venues throughout the UK including The Sage in Gateshead, The London Palladium and The Brighton Dome.

Sephira & Larry Hagman

Very recently, Sephira performed at a private function for Larry Hagman, the actor better known as J.R Ewing from the hit TV series Dallas. The girls were delighted to hear that the world famous actor was a fan of Sephira and thoroughly enjoyed spending an evening with Larry and his wife, Maj. Before the evening was out the famous couple had extended an invitation to Sephira to join them at their Hollywood home during the group’s upcoming visit to the USA.

Discography

Sephira's debut album "Believe" was released to critical acclaim in 2006 of which features eleven original compositions and a version of David Gates If. "Believe" was recorded in The Cauldron Studios,Dublin with Bill Shanley(Producer). Sephira released their self-titled album "Sephira" in 2008 for the US market - a mix of their favorite songs from "Believe" and their 2008 EP "Love of my Life". In November 2011 Sephira released their first Christmas album "Starlight" produced by Dave Williams (UK) and Ruth & Joyce O'Leary.