IMT Director – Dr. Deirdre Masterson

Dr Deirdre Masterson is the Performing Arts Dean for American College Dublin and Director of The Irish College of Music Theatre, leading the introduction of Music Theatre into the Irish institution’s suite of educational offerings. Dr Masterson has an extensive background in performance- Opera, Operetta, Recital, Concert and Recordings to critical acclaim. Deirdre is also a respected Director and Producer, where she campaigns to assist, support and mentor Irish talent in reaching their full potential. Regarded as one of Europe’s leading vocal coaches, Deirdre is much in demand, with artists from varying music genres including: Dermot Kennedy, Picture This, Kodaline, Damien Dempsey, Allie Sherlock, Celtic Woman, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Irish National Opera and Wexford International Opera Festival soloists, along with acting as vocal coach at the Eurovision amongst her many credits.

A native from Gorey Co. Wexford, Deirdre started her music studies at a young age in the Wexford School of Music, under the direction of Alan Cutts. She made her Wexford International Opera Festival debut at the tender age of twelve, playing the part of the “Spirit,” in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. Deirdre received a full scholarship to train in one of Dublin’s leading conservatories, and majored in Opera & Drama studies, with renowned Voice Teacher-Dr. Veronica Dunne. Graduating with distinctions in her undergraduate programme, Deirdre went back to TU (formerly Dublin Institute of Technology), in 2013, to successfully complete a Masters in Performance, and has recently completed a Doctor of Arts in London with LSMT. Dr Deirdre Masterson is currently working on publishing her continued research on Vocal Technique and Rehabilitation.

She made her professional operatic debut with Opera Ireland at eighteen, playing the parts of “Sandman,” and “Dewfairy,” in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. She has many awards and accolades to her credit, including the title of being the youngest singer ever to win the ‘Gervase Elwes Award’, at Feis Ceoil Dublin , and winning a scholarship to study with the renowned Wagnarian soprano Astrid Varnay in Munich. Deirdre is a seasoned concert artist performing from our National Concert Hall to Carnegie Hall to critical acclaim.

Deirdre was cast as the leading lady in the first ever Irish Dance Musical “To Dance on the Moon” in 1996, and toured Europe, America and Asia extensively for four years, in addition to a summer residency at Irelands National Event Centre, in Killarney for three seasons. She also featured on the original soundtrack for this successful international production.

A founding member of “The Irish Sopranos,” Deirdre has performed to sell out tours on both sides of the Atlantic from 2000 to 2013 and enjoyed chart success with both their album releases “A Time for Us,” and “Believe.”

Deirdre is a featured artist on many recordings including “Faith of our Fathers,” “Who fears to speak,” and her initial solo EP entitled “You Will Be the Light”, which reached the top 3 in the Irish album charts.

In 2022, Deirdre enjoyed two number 1 hit singles in the Irish Charts, “Dreamer” and “Jealous of the Angels” -both featured tracks from the orchestral album “Mo Chroi”, recorded in Sofia, with Philharmonia Bulgarica.

This was launched and released September 30th, 2022, followed by a nationwide tour and duly reached number 1in the Irish charts.

Other hit singles include “Oh Holy Night” with the Celtic Tenors, Christmas 2022, Snow Patrol’s “Run”, in 2023, which was released in connection with the Irish Cancer Charity “Relay for Life”, reaching number 1 in the Irish singles charts, and raising much needed funds for this worthy charitable organisation.

April 2024, she released Nana Maskouri’s “Only Love”, as a single, with her National Concert Hall Leading Ladies solo concert performance, and more recently on July 24th, 2025, her single of Jennifer Rush’s 80’s hit ballad “The Power of Love”, is successfully gaining considerable traction on all leading social platforms.

Deirdre is currently working on a new album with Grammy nominated record music producer Billy Farrell, which is set for release in 2026.

In 2011, Deirdre formed The Irish College of Music Theatre – Ireland’s first Musical Theatre College, providing fully accredited third level courses, in business partnership with Dublin Institute of Technology- currently (TU). The Irish College of Music Theatre (IMT), currently boasts operating successful branches at The National Opera House and her home town Gorey, Co. Wexford, nurturing young talent wishing to audition for the profession and/or progress onto third level Performing Arts Programmes. Further educational offerings include the delivery of The Young Artists Programme in association with The National Opera House, which is a specially designed course for aspiring young Irish singers, wishing to embark on a professional singing career. In October 2021, this chosen cohort had the pleasure of officially partaking in Wexford’s International Opera Festival Fringe Event.

Deirdre is very passionate about her vocal rehabilitation work, and for the past seven years, has professionally collaborated with ENT Surgeon Mr Mark Rafferty, in his private clinic at Lowell House Suites, Dublin.

She further collaborates with Head of Trinity Speech and Language department, Dr Ciaran Kenny, promoting the well-being of vocal health care.

Deirdre is a regular guest speaker and tutor to visiting institutions including Trinity College Dublin, and an adjudicator for National Music and Singing competitions, and very much enjoys performing in Operas, Concerts and Recitals outside of her academic commitments.

Deirdre has just completed two sell out performances at The National Opera House, as producer and director, for the premiere of West End Composer Stuart Brayson’s new musical, “Irish Affair”. This was working alongside legendary Musical Theatre lyricist Sir Tim Rice and CBE Chris Wright, as executive producers.

Past Productions