Eversheds Sutherland and RIAM join forces to nurture young musical talent in innovative programme

Today, Ireland’s largest and most established international law firm and the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) are delighted to announce the inclusion of four exceptionally gifted young musicians as the newest members of the 2023 Eversheds Sutherland Accelerator Academy, in collaboration with the RIAM.

Utilising Eversheds Sutherland's strong commitment to nurturing talent and RIAM's reputation as a leading institution this partnership aims to support musicians ‘off stage.’

The third group of entrants to participate in the Accelerator Academy programme consists of three gifted cello players and one accomplished violinist:

Elizabeth Troup, 15, Cello
Anna Varga, 18, Cello
Adam Joyce, 16, Cello
Sarah Brazil, 15, Violin

These young musicians have demonstrated outstanding skills and show immense potential, making them prime candidates for this unique opportunity.

As the arts and culture sector continues to recover from the unprecedented impact of the global pandemic, this comprehensive two-year, business and arts development programme recognises the vital role music plays in society, and indeed for our mental health.

The programme has been designed to promote and advance talented musicians; nurture and foster emerging talent; and empower them to build healthy, sustainable, and successful careers in the arts sector.

One of the most significant components of the programme is the invaluable mentorship from Finghin Collins, a renowned concert pianist and the Academy's ambassador. The programme also provides financial assistance, which aids in covering out-of-pocket expenses that often hinder the development of young artists.

This is the third group of entrants to participate in the Eversheds Sutherland and RIAM Accelerator Academy programme for highly accomplished young musicians; 12 young musicians have now been selected since 2019 for the programme. In 2021, pianists, Lucy Byrne, Joe O’Grady and Defne Gultopra, and flute player, Lera O’Connor joined the programme. In 2019, pianist Dida Condria, violinist Julieanne Forrest, violinist Claire O’Connor and cellist Catherine Cotter were selected to participate in the programme.

Also, in 2018 four young talents in Irish athletics were the very first members of Eversheds Sutherland’s Accelerator Academy; medallists Rhasidat Adeleke, Sophie O’Sullivan, Patience Jumbo-Gula, and Sarah Healy all benefited from the programme as they continue to compete at the highest level.

Alan Connell, Managing Partner at Eversheds Sutherland Ireland, said:

"We are honoured to be a part of this significant, collaborative development programme that brings together the arts and business. By supporting these young musicians, we are investing in the future of the arts and ensuring the longevity of our vibrant cultural landscape. At Eversheds Sutherland, we strive to make a positive impact on society and it is our privilege to continue supporting the next generation of talent and witness their remarkable journeys."

Deborah Kelleher, Director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, said:

"We are thrilled to partner with Eversheds Sutherland again to offer this extraordinary opportunity to young musicians. This programme will equip them with the necessary tools and support to navigate the challenges of the industry, allowing them to thrive and establish long-lasting careers in music."

Elizabeth Troup, 15, Cello

Elizabeth Troup is 15 years old and has been on continuous scholarship at the RIAM for cello, where she studies with Dr Annebe Cleary. She is participating in the Young Artist Programme and is a multiple first-prize winner at Feis Ceoil in solo competitions and chamber music. She has performed at venues such as Farmleigh, Kilruddery and Tullynally Castle, as well as the 2022 Prizewinners’ Gala Concert in the RDS. Elizabeth won the RIAM Junior Solo Competition last December and was subsequently invited to give a solo recital for the Dublin Philharmonic Society this year.

She was delighted to be announced as the winner of the Stephen Vernon Award and bursary for cello in the John Pollard Competition last February. At the Oxford Cello School in Radley College last summer, Elizabeth was selected to perform as a soloist in the Haydn Cello Concerto in C, accompanied by a full cello orchestra. She is a member of the RIAM Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and enjoys playing chamber music with both a piano trio and a cello quartet. In addition, she accompanies her brass-playing sisters on piano and plays a wide variety of music in a family trio with them.

She was recently selected as an Irish representative for the European Orchestra Youth Academy programme due to be held in Germany in August 2023. Elizabeth is very grateful to the Music Instrument Fund of Ireland for being awarded the loan of a Gaggini cello.

Although music always takes priority, Elizabeth also enjoys sports. She was selected for the U21 Ireland Lacrosse team and looks forward to representing her country in the European Championships in Prague in July 2023. She enjoys long summer evenings playing cricket at both junior and senior level for her club, Malahide. She has played at the interprovincial level for Leinster, and last summer, Elizabeth was also selected for the Cricket Ireland U15 team.

Anna Varga - Eversheds Sutherland Accelerator Academy

Anna Varga, 18, Cello

Anna Varga is an 18-year-old cellist from Hungary. She began learning the cello at age 5 and has been studying in the Royal Irish Academy of Music since 2018. In RIAM, she has studied with Aisling Drury Byrne and Martin Johnson, and she has been a student of Ailbhe McDonagh since 2021. She has been a finalist at RIAM competitions such as the Junior Solo Competition and the John Pollard Cup and has been a prize winner in the Feis Ceoil and Castleknock Music Festival competitions.

Anna has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and has been a second leader for the RIAM Symphony Orchestra and the DYO Symphony Orchestra. She has also taken part in projects with the RIAM Philharmonia with guest conductors Mihhail Gerts and Killian Farrell. She has also played with the RTE Concert Orchestra. In 2021, Anna was selected to play a movement of a concerto with the DYO Symphony Orchestra, for which she played the 1st movement of the Saint Saens A minor Cello Concerto. This was recorded and later premiered in the Lighthouse Cinema. Anna is a RIAM Young ArBst and has therefore participated in many masterclasses with remarkable musicians such as Iagoba Fanlo and Clive Greensmith. She has also taken part in masterclasses with Dóra Kokas, David Edmonds and ChrisBan Pierre la Marca.

Anna played at the RIAM Young Artist Concert in March 2023 which took place in Farmleigh House. Anna has also been part of a Clarinet Trio as part of the Young Artist Programme, and they performed at a masterclass with Akamus Berlin. She is currently a member of the 'Lanuaria Quartet' formed in 2023 as part of the West Cork Chamber Music Festival. Anna currently plays on the "Elizabeth Barreb" cello by N. Darche which was awarded to her on loan in 2022.

Adam Joyce, Eversheds Sutherland Accelerator Academy

Adam Joyce, 16, Cello

16-year-old Adam Joyce began studying the cello at the age of 6 with Jane Hughes. He currently studies with Christopher Marwood at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he is on the RIAM Young Artist Programme and the Eversheds Sutherland Accelerator Programme.

In May of 2023, Adam was the recipient of the National Concert Hall Young Musician of the Year 2023 award and bursary. He has been awarded first prize in many competitions at the Feis Ceoil, including the Terry O’Connor Trophy, the St Cecilia Cup, the Junior Chamber Music Cup, the Rhoda Coghill Cup, the U11, U13, U15 and U17 Solo Cello competition, and the Junior String Rosebowl, he has received first prize at numerous other competition across Ireland.

He was also the winner of the Stephen Vernon Award and bursary in the 2022 RIAM John Pollard competition. Adam has played in orchestras such as the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, the Royal Concertgebouworkest Young 2023 Orchestra and the Mahler Student Festival Orchestra.

Sarah Brazil, 15, Violin

15-year-old Sarah Brazil has studied violin at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Yvonne Donnelly since the age of 6 and now also studies with Karl Sweeney. In 2016, at the age of 8, Sarah made her National Concert Hall debut as part of the Feis Ceoil Young Plaform Series Concerts. She has won numerous first prizes at the Feis Ceoil, most notably, the St Cecilia Cup for junior repertoire in 2022 and the Arthur Caberall Cup for senior concerto in 2023.

In 2022, she was invited to perform at the Feis Ceoil Gala Concert in the RDS and at the Feis Ceoil 125th Anniversary Concert at Farmleigh House. Sarah won the RIAM Junior Solo Competition 2021 and as a result, was invited to give a solo recital for the Dublin Philharmonic Society. She was also the winner of the John Pollard Award for String Players at the RIAM in 2022.

Sarah has been on the RIAM Young Artist Programme since 2016 and has led the RIAM Symphony Orchestra since 2021. In the summer of 2023, Sarah will travel to the Mozarteum University in Salzburg where she will receive lessons from Paul Roczek and Michael Vaiman.