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GRAMMY-nominated composer Emma O'Halloran on Opera and Breathwork
Irish composer Emma O'Halloran was fresh off the plane from the GRAMMYs when we sat down with her to discuss her nomination for Best Opera Recording. She is the first woman composer from Ireland to be nominated for a GRAMMY in the classical field. Her two operas – Trade and Mary Motorhead – received international critical acclaim. They were called “remarkable,” by the Irish Independent, and the LA Times wrote that, “No Irish Opera has entered the standard repertory, but that is about to change.”
In this enlightening conversation with Emma, we learn about the fascinating process of what it takes to create a modern opera. Emma talks about how she found her authentic musical voice through years of shedding and letting go of expectations and external pressure. In this chat she shares openly and honestly about unhealthy self-worth patterns in creative career paths, and how she has overcome it all with nervous system regulation, which she's so passionate about that she has just qualified as a breathwork instructor. We found this conversation so informative and uplifting and we know you will too. Make a cup of tea and tune in to what feels like a calming mentoring session from yet another fascinating artist.
You can check out Emma's work and music here: www.emma-ohalloran.com
About your hosts:
Tamzin Merivale is a visual artist and writer, on a mission to explore diverse stories and to guide people to process their life experiences through art. Tamzin’s visual art facilitates people in their quest to unearth their true, powerful selves — work which is unique and transformational. Tamzin’s writing was recently published in the New York Times best-selling memoir The Book of Alchemy (2025) by Suleika Jaouad, alongside Gloria Steinem, Elizabeth Gilbert, Salman Rushdie and more. Subscribe to Tamzin’s Newsletter here or follow her on Instagram @tamzinmerivale.
Finola Merivale is a composer of acoustic and electro-acoustic music, based between France and Ireland. She is currently a 2025–26 Fellow at Columbia University’s Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris. Her music has been described as “edgy and discomforting, yet exciting and distinctive,” and "a wild ride." Finola completed her DMA in Composition at Columbia University. Recent accolades include fellowships from MacDowell (2025) and the Civitella Ranieri Foundation (2024), a 2025 Music Bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland and an award from the New York Council on the Arts. Her music has been performed internationally. Follow Finola on Instagram @finolamerivale.
Audio editing and production by Finola Merivale
Music by Finola Merivale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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By Finola MerivaleIrish composer Emma O'Halloran was fresh off the plane from the GRAMMYs when we sat down with her to discuss her nomination for Best Opera Recording. She is the first woman composer from Ireland to be nominated for a GRAMMY in the classical field. Her two operas – Trade and Mary Motorhead – received international critical acclaim. They were called “remarkable,” by the Irish Independent, and the LA Times wrote that, “No Irish Opera has entered the standard repertory, but that is about to change.”
In this enlightening conversation with Emma, we learn about the fascinating process of what it takes to create a modern opera. Emma talks about how she found her authentic musical voice through years of shedding and letting go of expectations and external pressure. In this chat she shares openly and honestly about unhealthy self-worth patterns in creative career paths, and how she has overcome it all with nervous system regulation, which she's so passionate about that she has just qualified as a breathwork instructor. We found this conversation so informative and uplifting and we know you will too. Make a cup of tea and tune in to what feels like a calming mentoring session from yet another fascinating artist.
You can check out Emma's work and music here: www.emma-ohalloran.com
About your hosts:
Tamzin Merivale is a visual artist and writer, on a mission to explore diverse stories and to guide people to process their life experiences through art. Tamzin’s visual art facilitates people in their quest to unearth their true, powerful selves — work which is unique and transformational. Tamzin’s writing was recently published in the New York Times best-selling memoir The Book of Alchemy (2025) by Suleika Jaouad, alongside Gloria Steinem, Elizabeth Gilbert, Salman Rushdie and more. Subscribe to Tamzin’s Newsletter here or follow her on Instagram @tamzinmerivale.
Finola Merivale is a composer of acoustic and electro-acoustic music, based between France and Ireland. She is currently a 2025–26 Fellow at Columbia University’s Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris. Her music has been described as “edgy and discomforting, yet exciting and distinctive,” and "a wild ride." Finola completed her DMA in Composition at Columbia University. Recent accolades include fellowships from MacDowell (2025) and the Civitella Ranieri Foundation (2024), a 2025 Music Bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland and an award from the New York Council on the Arts. Her music has been performed internationally. Follow Finola on Instagram @finolamerivale.
Audio editing and production by Finola Merivale
Music by Finola Merivale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.