Choral Scholars
Our Choral Scholars for 2023-2024
Eden Devaney (tenor) started his musical journey as a violinist, and his lifelong love for sacred music now finds expression in classical singing, currently studying with Iain Paton. He has performed with choirs such as the Halle Youth Choir and the Lucia Ensemble in notable venues including the Bridgewater Hall, the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester Cathedral. As both singer and conductor, Eden has a particular affection for working with smaller choral ensembles, most recently becoming involved as a tenor with the Glasgow Bach Cantata Project, and is very excited to be furthering his knowledge of church music traditions as a Choral Scholar at St Bride’s.
Thomas Heaney (Bass) is a pianist currently studying at the RCS with Nicholas Ashton. He enjoys experiencing varied aspects of piano playing, from jazz to classical concerti, together with solo, duo and chamber music. As well as his enthusiasm for pianism, Tom also has a deep appreciation for singing. He was part of the Glasgow Cambiata, singing alongside the RSNO in their memorial concert of 2019 and, having joined the RCS Junior Conservatoire’s Consort and Chamber choir under the leadership of Andrew Nunn, he participated in recordings for the BBC’s Christmas broadcast and for their ‘Classics Unwrapped’ project. Since leaving school, Tom has joined Bearsden Choir, and is excited to be continuing more sacred and chamber vocal music through the Choral Scholarship at St Bride’s.
Eleanor Gaskell (Soprano) took first study tuba and second study voice at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. She grew up in Wigan in the Northwest of England, becoming involved in music through the primary school outreach programme run by Wigan Borough Council. Due to where she grew up, she was heavily involved in brass banding as a young player, taking a lot of her musical influence and inspirations from the top names in banding and going on to spend two years as part of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
Coming from a music outreach background, Eleanor is very passionate about taking part in outreach work with beginner musicians of all ages, recently gaining an assistant position at Colourstrings music classes in the Hyndland Community Hall. She began singing as a young child taking up formal lessons in classical singing in 2020 and has since sung in many ensembles including the Hallé Youth Choir and Chetham’s Chamber choir performing Haydn’s Harmonimesse with the BBC Philharmonic for a broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Since moving to Glasgow, she has also successfully auditioned for the RSNO Chorus alongside the St Bride’s Choir and is looking forward to using these opportunities to develop her singing further. Eleanor hopes to use her time at St Bride’s to develop her knowledge in church music, something she can’t wait to learn more of after her first couple of weeks with the Choir. She is also looking forward to becoming more confident in her sightreading and general musicianship, gaining knowledge from the experience of other St Bride’s Choir Members.
Mariia Zhuravlova (Alto) is a Ukrainian violinist studying with Francis Cummings at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Mariia grew up in Kharkiv, Ukraine and, in 2021, finished with honours at Lyatoshynsky's Kharkiv Music College. In her final year there she led both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and gained prizes in local competitions.
Whilst studying at the Conservatoire, Mariia has already formed a piano trio with her fellow students, participated in various student productions including operas, musicals and symphony orchestras, and become involved in the Glasgow Bach Cantata Project.
She is also developing her musical skills in different contexts - as a country and jazz violinist, performing and recording with bands and taking part in cross-disciplinary experimental collaborations with dancers, electronic musicians and actors.
During her music school studies in Kharkiv, Mariia was actively involved in a choir, singing a broad programme from Ukrainian folk songs to jazz, and she is extremely happy to dive into developing her knowledge of sacred music. She is really grateful to become a Choral Scholar at St Bride’s, and she's looking forward to develop musicality, explore singing in a context of church music and be a part of such a welcoming community.