Brian O’Kane - Camerata Ireland/ Accenture Young Musician of the Year 2007 and Clandeboye winner 2007 

It has only been 4 months since I won the Accenture Camerata Young Musician of the Year, but I have already received both wonderful opportunities and the support of Camerata Ireland. Winning the competition last August was an incredible experience, but what I found most beneficial was the encouragement of all the artists, resident at Clandeboye, to aim for and achieve higher goals, especially to try and lose the label of "promising" and achieve a more consistent artistic level. It led to a performance in the National Concert Hall with Barry and Camerata in front of President McAleese which was certainly a personal highlight of 2007. Another highlight from 2007 was a performance with the Philharmonia Orchestra in front of the Prince of Wales. I have always had an ambition to tour the world performing chamber music. I am lucky enough to have such opportunities as a founding member of the Cappa String Quartet. Tours of Japan, New Zealand and Australia are scheduled for an exiting 2008 which also includes a second appearance at the Wigmore Hall. I am currently working towards several octet concerts as guest cellist with members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Anthony Marwood.