MEET THE TEAM

CARMEL WHELAN
MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Carmel Whelan is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and conductor from North Dublin. She fostered a love of singing as a member of RTÉ’s Cór na nÓg, and went on to study music at DIT Conservatory of Music & Drama - graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Music in Composition.

Carmel is the Musical Director of The High Hopes Choir, who featured in RTÉ’s IFTA award winning documentary and has directed a number of choirs throughout the country including The National Gallery of Ireland Choir; and Dóchas Women’s Choir in Mountjoy Prison, amongst others. She has delivered workshops at a number of Ireland’s leading choral festivals including Cork International Choral Festival, City of Derry International Choir Festival and Gospel Rising.

Carmel has had many exciting performance opportunities to date including The Script - The 3 Arena; Tigran Hamasyan & Arvé Henrikson - The National Concert Hall; RTÉ Concert Orchestra - All Together Now; Centenary - Bord Gáis Theatre; Rock Against Homelessness - The Olympia Theatre; Ossia Youth Choir - Palao de Maricel in Sitges, Spain; The High Hopes Choir - European Parliament, Brussels; as well as numerous performances at Áras an Uachtarán and Electric Picnic.

She has performed alongside critically acclaimed artists including Colm Wilkinson, Celine Byrne, Glen Hansard, Imelda May, John Sheehan, The Hothouse Flowers, Westlife, Phelim Drew, David Keenan, Christy Moore, and the Savannah Philharmonic, to name but a few.

TV appearances include The Late Late Show; The Ray D’Arcy Show; Claire Byrne Live; Ireland AM - TV3; RTÉ Sunday Service; and The High Hopes Choir - Tyrone Productions. Recording credits include Homeward Bound – Street Lights; We All Fall Down – Glen Baker; Fairytale Of New York – Christy Moore & High Hopes Choir.

An award-winning composer in her own right, Rejoice’s signature sound is shaped by Carmel’s unique vocal arrangements. Her knowledge of and passion for gospel music is the driving force behind the choir.

NAOMI RYDER
ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Naomi Ryder is a professional vocalist based in Dublin, Ireland. A versatile performer, Naomi is a classically-trained soprano who studied music at the University of Manchester, graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music Honors Degree.

Naomi has been immersed in the world of gospel music from a young age - she grew up singing Gospel and Soul music and honed her craft as a member of numerous prestigious choirs throughout the UK.

With an extensive performance career, Naomi has performed alongside renowned artists such as Edwin Hawkins and Heather Small, and has many TV performances to her name including Dancing On Ice, Sports Personality of The Year, Dancing With The Stars and The Late Late Show.

Today Naomi is a lead vocalist and Assistant Musical Director with Rejoice and has led the choir in numerous high profile performances including Sing A Song of Docklands in the Bord Gáis Theatre in May 2023.