Colette McGahon is a distinguished Irish mezzo-soprano, educator, and artistic leader, founder and Artistic Director of Opera Collective Ireland. She is the former Head of Vocal Studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Senior Lecturer in Vocal Studies at TU Dublin, where she played a central role in training and mentoring many of Ireland’s leading young singers.

As a mezzo-soprano, Colette has enjoyed a wide-ranging and accomplished performing career across opera, concert, and recital repertoire. She has appeared at leading opera houses and festivals including Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Covent Garden Festival, Wexford Festival Opera, Buxton Festival and Longborough Opera Festival, and with companies such as Irish National Opera, Northern Ireland Opera and Opera Theatre Company. Her concert performances have taken her to major venues including the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, the Purcell Room, as well as the National Concert Hall.

She has performed with leading orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, and Irish Chamber Orchestra, collaborating with distinguished conductors such as Simon Rattle, Bernard Haitink, Kenneth Montgomery, Stephen Barlow and Ivor Bolton. She is also highly regarded as a recitalist and collaborative artist, known for her musical insight and stylistic versatility.

Alongside her performing career, Colette has been deeply involved in the coaching and preparation of singers, bringing her extensive stage experience to her work as a vocal specialist. Through her leadership at Opera Collective Ireland, she has championed innovative programming and created meaningful professional opportunities for emerging artists.