Dawn Doherty, was born in NYC and raised in Castlebar Co. Mayo, Ireland. She developed a love of Irish music having been immersed into music and singing at an early age by her mother Maryanne and Father Joe, both with a family history of music. Dawn is a several time All-Ireland champion musician and singer. Throughout her musical career she has competed at various competitions, including Fleadh Cheoil, an Oireachtas, Readoiri, and Scor and has won several All-Ireland competitions. Dawn also performed professionally as both a solo artist and also as part of a group. She has performed throughout the United States and Europe with her brother Dean, who is an accomplished percussionist and who is also an All-Ireland medal winner.
Pursuing her passion for music and teaching, Dawn received an Honors BA degree in Irish music and dance from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University Of Limerick, Ireland and an Honors Master’s degree in Music Therapy. Dawn graduated with first class honors from Lehman College in New York with a Master’s degree in Science and Education in 2016.
Dawn’s music background is extensive and she hails from a family of musicians. However, she credits her grandmother, Sarah Lynskey-Miller) who hailed from the Gaeltacht area of Belmullet, Co. Mayo for introducing her to the Sean-nos style of singing. She has mastered this style over the years and performs annually as a guest artist for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in St. Patrick’s Cathedral at the request of Professor Mick Moloney from New York University.
Dawn has performed for former Mayor(s) Michael Bloomberg and Rudolph Guiliani of NYC and for the former US consulate general ambassador (s) for Ireland Mr. Niall Burgess, and Ms. Jean Kennedy Smith. She was invited and has performed in prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center in NYC and Wolf Trap, Virginia with the legendary country and western music star Ricky Skaggs.
Dawn just won gold as the first place winner in the All-Ireland Fleadh 2016 singing competition for newly composed ballads in Ennis, Co. Clare.
The Dawn Doherty Academy of Irish music and singing is located at the Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers. Dawn teaches group and private lessons. She has truly found a way to merge her love of music and signing and is committed to passing on those skills and her love of music to the next generation of Irish musicians.
For more information, check out Dawn’s website: dawndohertymusic.com or call 914-882-6655 or email dawndoherty2@gmail.com
As a seasoned performer professionally Dawn is available to perform at your special day. Professional advice and consultations are offered to ensure the couple are satisfied in their choice of music and song for their special day. Dawn is accompanied by the best in the business, delivering the highest quality of standard. Pianists and harpists are available upon request.
A huge repertoire is provided and professional advice given to appropriate material which can be used during the wedding ceremony.
The music and singing is tailored to suit the needs of each individual couple.
For more information on Music therapy, music for your wedding or Irish music teaching contact dawndoherty2@gmail.com
Call 087 6856255
What music therapy offers:
Dawn is the founder of Echo Music Therapy Clinic. Music therapy offers a secure creative space for exploration, creativity, expression and development. By using music creatively I seek to establish an interaction, a shared musical experience leading to the pursuit of therapeutic goals.
As a music therapist I assess each client. I then undertake and evaluate music therapy sessions using appropriate music and therapeutic skills. Clients attend individual or group sessions depending on needs and abilities.
Music therapy goals include:
- Development of communication/social skills
- To increase cognitive skills
- To improve gross motor skills
- To increase interaction with peersand socialisation
- Promotion of creativity
- Sensory stimulation
- Relaxation
- Motivation for physical movement
- Emotional expression
- Development of awareness of self and others
- Relevant and meaningful interaction
Music therapy techniques:
- Music improvisation
- Movement to music
- Receptive music listening
- Music and imagery
- Song parody
- Lyric discussion
Dawn, a qualified Music Therapist, specialises in working with special needs children and adults. Her experience includes working with children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities including, autism, acquired brain injury, down-syndrome add, ADHD, and older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The client does not need any musical skills or training to attend music therapy sessions. Music is used to achieve therapeutic goals, and is used creatively in sessions so no prior training is required. All human beings have the innate ability to appreciate, respond, and react to music. Dawn conducts music therapy sessions one on one and in groups.
As a Music Therapist, I am supporting and encouraging physical, emotional, cognitive and social development, by using music creatively to establish an interaction, a shared musical experience leading to the pursuit of therapeutic goals.
Excellent references available upon request
Listen to some of my music here
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The rambling boys of pleasure
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Suil a ruin
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A Muire Mhathair
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Make you feel my love
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A selection of jigs
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Sebastian Boes, Senior Music Therapist in Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin.
Dawn showed herself to be a professional and competent music therapist. In the fulfilment of her role Dawn used supervision appropriately and used her skills in direct work with clients effected by geriatric neurological conditions. She showed a very professional and well organised approach to her work. She proved herself to be clear thinking, and consistent in all aspects of her work. She has a proven ability to prioritise her work load appropriately, has great time management skills and copes well under pressure. Her record keeping skills were of the highest standard. I wish her the best of luck for the future.
Michelle and Brian Hope. Wedding April 27th 2012
Thank you so much for the elegance you added to our wedding ceremony. It was so beautiful and fitting. We have had so many compliments about our choice of music. We will have fond memories of your contribution forever. I was impressed from the very beginning with your style and uniqueness that you possessed and even went off and learned a specific piece of music that we wanted and that made it extra special.
I was pleased that you went way beyond the call of professionalism. I will definitely recommend your services to anyone who happens to ask and would be proud to have my words available as a testimonial.
Seamus O Dubhthaigh, Sec, Mayo Co, Board, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.
A modern master of ancient craft would be an accurate description of Dawn Doherty who from her infancy has been imbued in Irish Culture. Growing up in an atmosphere of Gaeldom and through ranks of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann which adorned along the way with her musical and vocal talents, and picking up countless awards along the way, Dawn was set for outstanding musical career. A graduate of the University of Limerick from which she graduated with many distinctions she is now an outstanding teacher and is much in demand as a lecturer and performing artist wherever Irish traditional music is known and respected.
