Beth McNinch is a highly esteemed Irish violist, producer, educator, and artistic director, celebrated for her significant contributions to the music profession. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was recently awarded the title of Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM), an honour bestowed upon those who have distinguished themselves in the field of music.

Beth has a deep understanding of how to balance a program to keep it engaging and interesting for the audience. Her strengths lie in pairing more unusual works with classical favourites, creating a dynamic and captivating experience. She is passionate about collaborating with artists from diverse genres, an exploration that has significantly shaped Musici Ireland. Beth thrives on conceptualising new performance pieces, finding great joy in gathering a talented group of interdisciplinary artists to bring these ideas to life. She is dedicated to using art as a medium for social awareness, creating works that foster meaningful discourse on complex and often challenging subjects.

Beth’s extensive career began in London, where she completed her viola studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music. She quickly established herself as a prominent figure in the orchestral world, performing regularly with some of the UK’s leading ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. As a principal violist, Beth has held key roles in ensembles such as the Irish National Opera, the Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra, the English National Ballet, Ulster Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Her work as a chamber musician is equally impressive; she founded and serves as the Artistic Director of Musici Ireland, an internationally acclaimed chamber collective and interdisciplinary production house known for its innovative and socially impactful productions.

Beth’s commitment to innovation in music is also evident in her passion for improvisation and interdisciplinary collaboration. She is an active participant in the four-year research project “Improvising Across Boundaries,” funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council. Run by a team from University College Dublin in partnership with the Improvised Music Company (IMC), this project places musician experience and engagement at its core. It aims to establish a community of musicians, focusing on documenting the experiences of women and gender minority improvisers in Ireland, producing valuable resources for musicians and industry professionals, and fostering collaboration and equity in the music community.

As part of this project, Beth contributes to creating a supportive environment for improvising musicians, working to highlight and address key issues faced by women and gender minorities in the field. This aligns with her broader dedication to inclusivity and social change through music.

In June 2023, Beth’s improvisational talents were showcased internationally when she participated in the “Icelandic Sessions” at the Við Djúpið Music Festival in Ísafjörður, Iceland. This project, part of a five-part improvised performance series, brought together musicians and artists to create site-responsive works influenced by Iceland’s unique landscape and culture. Her ability to adapt her playing to diverse environments and collaborate creatively with artists from various disciplines was a highlight of this experience.

Beth is also becoming deeply involved in site-specific and outdoor works, having developed and performed several such projects as a member of the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS). These performances often blend music with physical theatre, dance, and visual art, creating immersive experiences that engage audiences in novel ways.

Her interdisciplinary collaborations extend to dance and visual arts, most notably in her work with Ali Clarke on “Deeds Not Words,” a dance piece exploring themes of women’s rights and social justice. This work was showcased at the Wicklow Screendance Festival in 2023, further demonstrating Beth’s versatility as a musician and her ability to integrate her viola performance with other art forms.

Beth also served as a music advisor and performer in a dance theatre piece by choreographer Vivian Brodie-Hayes at the National Opera House in April 2023, where she co-created a soundscape that enhanced the exploration of the 5th Amendment. This project blended music with theater and dance to create a thought-provoking and immersive experience for the audience.

Throughout her career, Beth McNinch has demonstrated a profound commitment to musical excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. Her work spans orchestral and chamber music, improvisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, establishing her as a leading figure in Ireland’s vibrant arts scene.

She plays on a cut down Viol by Barak Norman, dating back to the1650s. The instrument was made into a viola by Matthew Hardie in 1818.

Beth has been supported by: SEVN artists bursary, Artlinks!, Creation Artists Residency, Arts Council Bursary Award and Arts Council Agility Award.