A New Artist in Residence Moves Into the MAC

Our Artist in Residence space is a unique facility that brings international, national and home-grown artists from a range of genres to the MAC. Igniting creative collaboration with artistic partners, audiences and local communities, the programme is helping to shape the cultural landscape in Northern Ireland.

Ruth McGinley said, "I am thrilled and so grateful to be the Artist in Residence 2022 at the MAC. This amazing opportunity will challenge me to work outside of my comfort zone and allow me to push the boundaries of my existing practice as a musician.

I am looking forward to being part of the artistic community at the MAC during my residency and hope to learn and engage with the fabulous creatives in the building and engage in a meaningful connection between myself as an artist and the MAC creative team.

With the support at the MAC, I hope to be able to diversify as an artist and gain confidence in my own unique creative path. The MAC has provided me with a beautiful studio space to work in. I will be able to take inspiration from the theatre performances, art exhibitions and the uplifting building itself. During my residency at the MAC, I will be prioritising the exploration and development of new material for the creation of my second album for release.

I am passionate about investigating potentially engaging ways of presenting Classical and Cross-Genre music performances using the fantastic spaces at the MAC during my residency.

I have plans for exciting and diverse collaborations in 2022 with EMMY winning film composer, Sheridan Tongue, U2’s sound engineer Alastair McMillan and highly acclaimed NI composer Neil Martin, amongst others.

To be a part of this important Belfast Cultural hub is a privilege."

Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC said, "We're delighted to have an artist of such high regard joining us for a year-long residency at the MAC. We hope the time at the MAC will allow Ruth the space to develop and explore her work, especially in terms of composition, opportunities for her to collaborate with other artists from different art forms and perhaps perform on our stages for our audience."

Who is our new Artist in Residence?

Ruth McGinley is a pianist from Derry. She studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Royal Academy in London before being awarded a Postgraduate in Solo Performance from the Royal College in London. From the age of 17, she was already gaining widespread recognition as one of Ireland's leading pianists, winning countless accolades including both the piano finals of both the BBC and RTE Young Musician of the Year awards.

Since then, her career has been wide-ranging and daring, collaborating with some of the most acclaimed teachers and musicians working today, and straying from the typical classical-pianist journey. She has performed as soloist with many orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra and as a solo recitalist throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Ruth broadcasts regularly for BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, BBC Radio Ulster and RTE, and was honoured to be invited to perform as soloist at the BBC Proms in the Park.

But it is perhaps the spaces between where Ruth's interests really lie. With a determination to walk her own path, Ruth's love of music goes far beyond the classical world. A highly sought-after collaborator, Ruth works with musicians from many backgrounds including Jazz, Folk, and Electronic.

www.ruthmcginley.co.uk

To keep up-to-date on her latest projects, follow Ruth on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook.