CELTIC THUNDER SOLOIST
EMMET O’HANLON
ABOUT EMMET
- JOINED CELTIC THUNDER IN 2014.
- PERFORMED WITH THE IRISH NATIONAL OPERA, AUSTIN OPERA, DN THE DEUTSCHE OPER AM RHEIN IN DUSSELDORF.
- APPEARED WITH THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC AND OTHER PROMINENT ORCHESTRAS.
- FINALIST IN THE PRESTIGIOUS OPERALIA COMPETITION IN 2017.
- AWARDS FROM METROPOLITAN OPERA NATIONAL COUNCIL AUDITIONS, THE GERDA LISSNER FOUNDATION, AND THE VERISMO OPERA COMPETITION.
Irish American baritone Emmett O’Hanlon was born and raised in New York City. He demonstrates a lifelong commitment to music, beginning with guitar, piano, and drum lessons at the age of six. He commenced formal voice training at eight under Terence Goff, beginning a professional journey that would see him pursue a future in vocal performance during his high school years.
O’Hanlon earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Voice from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, where he also performed as a soloist alongside the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He has participated in numerous classical training programs, including serving as an apprentice artist in Caramoor’s Bel Canto Young Artist Mentoring Program.
Following his undergraduate studies, O’Hanlon attended The Juilliard School in New York, completing his Master’s Degree in Voice under Dr. Robert C. White Jr. He had taken part in the “Juilliard in Paris” project, supported by the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation. His recent performances at Juilliard Opera include roles in Britten’s Curlew River, Vaughan Williams’ Riders to the Sea, and the Metropolitan Opera workshop production of The Sorrows of Frederick. He has also portrayed Onegin in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.
Music is a longstanding tradition in O’Hanlon’s family. Both parents, originally from County Tipperary and County Armagh, were actively involved in singing and theater, while his siblings studied music at the university level. Outside of music, O’Hanlon is passionate about sports such as surfing, snowboarding, American football, baseball, and water sports.
O’Hanlon’s association with Celtic Thunder began in New York City, where producer Sharon Browne invited him to audition for the ensemble. His energetic presence and talent earned him a principal role, debuting on the 2nd Celtic Thunder Caribbean Cruise and subsequently performing on several tours. After his tenure with Celtic Thunder, he joined the esteemed Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago for the 2016-2017 season as a resident artist—a noteworthy achievement reflecting his dedication and professionalism.