NI drummer’s big noise set to get even bigger thanks to arts grant

The award of £10,000 was made to Kieran Leonard from Enniskillen, who has been making a big noise on the international music scene as a freelance percussionist, timpanist, drummer and Irish Music specialist.

The funding will be used to help him purchase his own timpani – a specialist set of kettle drums with a distinctive dome like base.

Educated at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, London, Kieran is well known on both the Irish and UK orchestral scene, working regularly with English National Opera and the Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as the Ulster Orchestra, RTE National Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra and the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

As one of the world’s leading exponents of the Bodhran, his film credits include soundtrack work on How to Train Your Dragon and Victoria & Abdul.

The grant given by the Arts Council to Kieran is just one of 69 awards, worth a total investment of £494,000. Thanks to capital investment from the Department for Communities, the scheme offers grants to a range of professional and non-professional musicians and groups.

Kieran said: “As a freelancer, access to these instruments is incredibly difficult, and generally, is only available when working with a professional orchestra. Having 24/7 access to timpani, will really open doors for me in terms of competing for full time jobs and auditions throughout the UK and abroad.

“The COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on everyone that works within the arts sector. I, like the rest of my colleagues, have really struggled at times. I had just started a 15 week tour of the USA with Celtic Woman, and then it was time to come home, with the arts sector across the UK and Ireland decimated. At that point, all live performances were cancelled, and my ability to earn a living went with it.”

He said: “I am back home in Enniskillen now, surrounded by an incredibly supportive family who have helped me so much. While everything has been really quiet, I count myself so fortunate to have been able to undertake some work with our own Ulster Orchestra in recent months.

“I cannot thank the Arts Council of Northern Ireland enough for supporting me, and countless other artists throughout this pandemic. It is an absolute honour and a privilege to be one of the recipients. My hope is now for the door to every concert hall and theatre throughout the world to open, so audiences can participate in, and take joy from our artform.”

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