Sephira

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Sephira - The Irish Rock Violinists
Origin Carrickmacross, Ireland
Genres Classical Crossover, Celtic, Instrumental Rock
Years active2006-present
LabelsCicero Records
MembersJoyce O'Leary
Ruth O'Leary
Website www.sephira.ie

Sephira also known as Sephira - The Irish Rock Violinists are an Irish band consisting of sisters Joyce and Ruth O'Leary, who both play the violin and provide vocals.

Contents

They released their debut album Believe in 2006. Its style is classical crossover with traditional Irish influences.

Early life and education

The sisters are from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland.

They started studying violin in early childhood: Joyce at two years of age and a half and Ruth at six. Joyce performed in the National Concert Hall, Dublin aged just three, playing a Bach minuet. She was named Ireland's Most Promising Violinist when she was nine. [1]

Ruth studied music performance at London's Guildhall School of Music to study for a BA in Music Performance. She continued her studies in Dublin, where she received a 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 performed with acts such as Rodrigo y Gabriela and featured on their Live in Manchester and Dublin album.

Performances

Sephira toured the US with the PBS show Celtic Thunder between 2008 and 2010. [2] They have also played with Enya, Andrea Bocelli, Kanye West and Michael Buble. [3]

Specializing in theater shows, corporate events, and private events, they have performed at private events for Prince Albert of Monaco, the late Larry Hagman, Priscilla Presley, Linda Gray and the women of Congress in Washington, D.C. They have also performed for other dignitaries including a US president, US vice president, US Secretary of Homeland Security, and the US National Coast Guard Foundation.

Personal Lives

In 2014 the sisters spoke out about their health issues with hemochromatosis and autoimmune disorders, urging other people to get checked for these conditions. [4]

Background to Albums

Sephira discography
Studio albums3
EPs2
Singles2
Music videos5

Irish Rock Violinists and sister duo Sephira have released three studio albums, two EPs, one single, and three music videos.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums with release date, label, formats, and track listings
TitleRelease DateLabelFormatsSongs
Believe1 March 2006Cicero RecordsCD, digital download, stream
  • 1. Dreams
  • 2. If
  • 4. Shine On
  • 5. Time
  • 6. Tears
  • 7. Sunrise
  • 8. Angel
  • 9. Reflections
  • 10. My World
  • 11. Haunted
  • 12. Far & Away
SephiraNovember 2008Cicero RecordsCD
Starlight6 November 2011Cicero RecordsCD, digital download, stream
  • 1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
  • 2. Carol of the Bells
  • 3. Jesu Joy
  • 4. Walking in the Air
  • 5. O Holy Night
  • 6. Sleigh Ride
  • 7. Believe
  • 8. Hallelujah
  • 9. Beneath a Thousand Stars
  • 10. Silent Night (Oíche Chiúin)
Sephira Believe Limited EditionMarch 2016Cicero RecordsCD
  • 1. Dreams
  • 2. If
  • 4. Shine On
  • 5. Time
  • 6. Tears
  • 7. Sunrise
  • 8. Angel
  • 9. Reflections
  • 10. My World
  • 11. Haunted
  • 12. Far & Away
  • Bonus Track: Love of my Life

Extended plays (EPs)

List of extended plays, with release date, label, formats, and track listings
TitleRelease DateLabelFormatsSongs
Love of My LifeSeptember 15 2008Cicero RecordsCD
  • 1. Love of My Life
  • 2. El Tango de Roxanne / Libertango (Live in Liverpool)
  • 3. Come Home to Me (Live in Liverpool)
EternityApril 9 2013Cicero RecordsCD, digital download
  • 1. See Me Now / Danse Macabre
  • 2. To Love You More
  • 3. Palladio
  • 4. Hallelujah
  • 5. Misirlou
  • Bonus Track: Miracle (only available on CD)

Singles

List of singles, with release date, label, and formats
TitleRelease DateLabelFormats
Pirates of the Caribbean13 November 2020Cicero RecordsDigital download, stream
Haunting 4SuMotion & Sephira13 February 2023Affiliatestream

Music videos

List of music videos, with release date
TitleRelease Date
Love of my LifeAugust 2007
HallelujahOctober 2014
Pirates of the CaribbeanDecember 2020
Angel28 July 2021
Despacito27 August 2021

References

  1. Rota, Kara (August 2013). "Sisters Sharing Musical Talent and Health Issues". Irish America. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  2. Irish Music Daily
  3. Independent.ie
  4. Irish America
  5. "Bill Shanley biography at Mary-black.net". Archived from the original on 26 June 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2008.