| Why did you choose this course? | I developed a passion for performing and singing at a young enough age, but it wasn’t until I reached secondary school that I decided that it was a possible career choice. I didn’t get past the audition stage for my original first choice of BA in Drama in DIT but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. My BA in Commercial and Modern Music coursework was so much broader than I anticipated and really helped widen my career choices within the industry. I felt that by having a BA behind me I would have more of a chance at being taken seriously as a performer and could make invaluable connections. | |
| How long is/was the course? | 4 years for the BA. A 1 year diploma course is offered that runs one day a week. I would highly recommend it if you don’t want to jump straight into a BA and want to take some time out and figure yourself out.
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| Current role / employment: | Professional Actress and Singer. Vocal Coach with my own business Keila Ana Vocals. | |
| Best career achievement to date: | Performing on stage in a sold out Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with a 50 piece orchestra or landing my first professional role as the lead in the Cheerios Pantomime at the Tivoli Theatre before I had even graduated from college. | |
| Have you any advice for our current students? | Don’t be afraid to follow your passion, as cliché as it sounds. If you enjoy what you do you’ll never work a day in your life. The creative industry isn’t always reliable when it comes to employment but if you work hard enough you’ll always find something to keep you going. Life doesn’t end with exams. Work hard to give yourself lots of options to figure out what you really want to do. If something doesn’t go according to plan, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and look out for the next opportunity. Above all else STAY POSITIVE! | |
| Best memory of Ratoath College: | The fact so many of the staff were young meant that we generally had a great relationship with them especially when it came to events like sports day, talent shows, musicals and fashion shows! Becoming a cinnire in 6th year meant ridiculous amounts of scraps and laughs every single day. | |
Keila Ana Whelan
Name
Keila Ana Whelan
Age
22
Class of
2013
LC Points:
425
3rd Level Course:
BA Commercial and Modern Music: Vocals
