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 - 2026 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!
Saoirse holds a degree in Music Education and is currently working as a secondary school teacher. She has been involved in the performing arts since the age of three and continues to be an active performer and creative artist. She is a member of the Hallelujah Gospel Choir and has performed at events all around the country. Saoirse was awarded a scholarship to the Institute of the Arts Barcelona intensive programme and has appeared in major Irish venues including the Gaiety Theatre, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the National Concert Hall, and the Helix.
She recently choreographed Annie Jr. at the Helix, assistant choreographed Nemo Jr. in Helix and recently was the assistant musical director of Little Shop of Horrors. She was also part of the Westlife music video Dynamite.
Her previous stage roles include Ariel in Footloose, Sophie in Mamma Mia, Mayor Matilda in All Shook Up, and the Matron in Oliver!. She has also performed in the award-winning production of Cats with Sean Gilligan Performing Arts.
In addition, Saoirse has taken part in Dublin Panto and has performed in numerous variety and cabaret shows as part of Sean Gilligan Performing Arts over the years.
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.
Saoirse Dunne
2026 Conductor
Jake Carter
2023 - 2026 Host
