Where the Pupils are the Stars
Sean Gilligan
Creative Director
Sean began his stage and screen career at the tender age of 4 when he appeared as a care bear live on RTE. He attended the Royal College of Music, Royale School of Dance, Trinity College Dublin (B. Mus). and is currently completing his Masters in Musical Theatre at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting.
Sean is the proud director and owner of SGPA (Sean Gilligan Performing Arts) whose students are renowned for their training and performances. His theatre directing and choreographing credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame, Phantom of the Opera, Copacabana, Footloose, Grease, Aladdin, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Peter Pan, Annie, Wizard of Oz, We Will Rock You, Hairspray, High School Musical, Little Mermaid, Evita, Anastasia, Back to the 80s, Hairspray Jr, Legally Blonde, Cats and Oliver.
Concert credits: Snowman (Bord Gais Energy Theatre, U.C.L., 3Arena, National Concert Hall), Hilton Annual Cabaret Spectacle (S.G.P.), Childline Concert, ‘A Night with Westlife’ O2, Gary Barlow Belfast, Jacinta Whyte, World Street Performing Championships, Celtic Woman, Carnegie Hall. Sean is the director of The Halleluia Gospel Choir – having worked with Westlife, Gary Barlow, Josh Groban and many others. His theatre awards include Best Director, Best Visual, runner up in Best Overall Show and most recently the adjudicator's special award for his contribution to Youth Musical Theatre (AIMS).
Niamh Walsh
2023 - 2025 Conductor
Niamh is a Primary School Teacher and she loves encouraging and inspiring children to express themselves musically and to build their self-esteem. She is a lead vocalist in The Dublin Gospel Choir and has most recently performed on the main stage of Electric Picnic and Kaleidoscope. Niamh can't wait to work with all of the amazing talented children that entering in the Big Sing!
Keila graduated from BIMM Dublin in 2017 with a BA in Commercial and Modern Music
Credits include “Raising your Voice Through the Power of Music” Concert for Mental Health Ireland alongside Colm Wilkinson, Wendla in Spring Awakening, Understudy Fantine with SGP, Wednesday in The Addams Family (AIMS Best Supporting Actress Nominee) and Laurie in Oklahoma in the National Concert Hall.
Professional Credits Include Princess Aurora, Snow White, Cinderella & Wendy with Cheerios Panto 2018-2021 (Tivoli, RHK, Malahide Castle) Featured Soloist ENCORE (Bord Gáis Energy Theatre) Anna in New Fish (Smock Alley Theatre, Original Cast) Swing for SHOUT! The Mod Musical (Irish Tour) Ensemble in SCAM The Musical (Irish Premiere Civic Theatre) and many more.
Jake Carter is an all-round, multi talented performer. Originally from Liverpool, Jake moved over to Ireland in 2017 to pursue a career in Pop Music. He started gigging with his own Band in the April of that year and has since been performing on stage relentlessly at gigs, festivals, and Corporate events as well as many of his own headline concerts.
Venues that Jake has played his own headline shows in, include Belfast Waterfront Studio, TLT Drogheda, Cork Opera House and Dublin’s Vicar Street to name a few. As well as singing Jake, Jake has also starred in numerous Musicals and Pantomimes over the last few years. Thes performances include the Leading Role of Aladdin at The SSE Arena Belfast in 2017, at The Olympia Theatre Dublin in 2018, at Dublins National Stadium in 2021, at The TLT in 2022 and at The Liberty Hall Theatre in 2022. He’s has also played the lead role of Peter Pan at Malahide Gardens Dublin in 2020 and Prince Charming in Cinderella at The Royal Hospital Kilmainham ‘PantoDome’ in 2019.
As Well as singing, songwriting & acting, Jake Carter has also became a house-hold name in Ireland over the last few years, through his regular appearances and performances on different Television programs. Jake starred in RTE’s Dancing With The Stars, in 2018. Paired with professional Ballroom & Latin Dancer Karen Byrne, Jake went on to lift the glitterball trophy after 12 weeks of competing in the ballroom. Jake wowed viewers at home with his dance moves over the series and quickly became a much loved personality of Irish television.
Other TV appearances include ‘Ultimate Hell Week’ in 2021 where Jake was part of a cast of well known faces who where put through their paces on an Irish Special Forces Rangers selection course, as well as regular Live performances on shows like The Late Late Show, Ireland Am. The Six O’clock Show and most recently performing his brand new single on Dancing With The Stars.
Keila Whelan
2024 - 2025 Conductor
Jake Carter
2023 - 2025 Host
Pamela Uba
2023 Host
Pamela is a medical scientist and Miss Ireland 2021, who made history on becoming the first black woman to win the coveted title and works in the Stem having worked as a medical
scientist and now in technology at Google. After winning best dressed lady at the Galway races 2019, Pamela has since developed her passion for fashion and has modelled for various Irish designers including Aoife Ireland.
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Singing is another one of her attributes as she recently appeared on the six o'clock show and has performed as a guest singer with Luke Thomas and the swing cats. She is currently working on writing and singing her own original songs.
Acting, hosting, and presenting is another area you may find her in. Pamela had recently started presenting as a contributor on Ireland AM, hosting corporate events and started acting for camera at gaiety school of acting. As an activist, Pamela also uses her platform to advocate for children and women through different issues and has been on multiple panels both corporate and digital including the Irish times speaking on issue close to her heart. Whether it’s children who have grown up in disadvantaged situations or women’s rights and mental wellbeing