ADJUDICATORS
GILBERT SECTION - PETER KENNEDY
Having performed as Kurt in The Sound of Music at the age of 12 in The Grand Opera House, Belfast, Peter became a full member of The Ulster Operatic Company in 1978, playing roles that included Kipps in Half A Sixpence, Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, Koko in The Mikado and Tommy Albright in Brigadoon. For eight years he played the Audience Friend in their Annual Pantomimes, and then The Dame for a further eight years.
During this time he began writing for the stage and established his own Musical Company, First Act, and began to direct and choreograph the premieres of his own musicals, Ham, God Bless Archie Dean, Clown, The Joy of Living, Falling Apart and The Widow or Bust.
Through AIMS and Musical Theatre Festivals (Waterford, Bangor, Derry) he began to amass awards for Acting, Comedy, Choreography, Direction and 3 Special Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre.
From 1985 until the present day, he has directed and choreographed in every corner of Ireland, and has added to his writing portfolio with the Musicals How The West Wasn’t Won, Who Killed The Celtic Tiger (Revue), The Orphan and The Tramp (Christmas Show), and Come The Dawn (Twice nominated as Best Overall Show by AIMS). He has also become an author of a series of Children’s Picture Books, written a handful of Youth Musicals, and several One Act Comedies for Theatre. He has had several Short Stories published in England and in America.
During these years, he has been immersed in Youth Theatre, from his early tap-dancing schools in Belfast to Encore Youth Theatres in Galway, Belclare, and Loughrea, as well as
directing school shows from Carlow to Clare and from Castlebar to Belfast. He has, most significantly, been the Director for the AIMS Youth Summer School since its inception in 1996.
He married Donna Creaven in September 2007 and was privileged to have Jessie Buckley, Amy Penston, brother-in-law Brian Flanagan (UMAN), Aoife Mulholland, Michael Coen,
Galway TD Hildegarde Naughton and a choir of over 100 children from his Galway Youth School singing at their wedding. They now have two beautiful boys, Dualta and Iarlaith, who are developing a love for music and theatre.
He attributes his successes through the years to the friendships he has forged with incredibly talented Directors, Musical Directors, Choreographers, Technicians and
Performers with whom he has had the privilege of working throughout his career. He previously adjudicated for AIMS for several years and last year in the Sullivan Section.
SULLIVAN SECTION - CAROLINE DALY JONES
Caroline has been performing with Irish musical theatre societies since the late 1980’s.
A stalwart of the Wexford Light Opera Society for many years, Caroline has also performed leading roles for AIB musical Society, New Ross MS, Enniscorthy MS, Bare Cheek Theatre Co, Gorey M.S, and Waterford Musical society.
Notable roles that have gained national recognition are Josephine from HMS Pinafore (New Ross Musical Soc) AIMS Best Singer award 1993. Mabel from Pirates of Penzance ( WLOS ) AIMS Best Singer award 2002 and Marianne in The
New Moon 1990 ( WLOS ) Nominated at 21 Years of age for Best Female singer in AIMS.
Caroline also performed the Role of Aida in Aida at the Gaiety in Dublin for an ensemble led by her long time Singing coach Dr Veronica Dunne RIP, as well as the title role In Carrie at the Guinness Theatre in Dublin.
Other notable performances and roles have been a past member of the Bunratty singers, a multiple award winner at Feis Ceoil and also a past chorister with the Wexford Festival of Grand Opera.
Caroline has also performed regularly in the National Concert Hall accompanied by the RTE Symphony Orchestra.
A notable highlight of Caroline’s singing career was being chosen as one of three Operatic singers to a masterclass in Genoa under Maestro Ugo Bennelli – himself an understudy at the time to Luciano Pavarotti.
Caroline’s vocal prowess has been kept in fine tune over the last few years by being the leading voice at the annual WLOS hits programme over the last 24 years, as well as various musical events and celebrations all over Ireland.
She has also given of her knowledge as the vocal coach for Junior Broadway in her hometown of Wexford and more recently formed the Young Voices of Wexford. A program developed for Secondary school students in Co Wexford, to perform in a public arena to showcase their talents, who may not get the opportunity to do so otherwise.
To all who know her, Caroline is so very highly regarded with a love and knowledge of Irish musical theatre that few can match. She feels that now is a great time to give back to an association that she loves dearly and is delighted to be the A.I.M.S National Adjudicator for the Sullivan section. See you all on the road!!
GILBERT PROGRAMME ADJUDICATOR - JOHN GRAYDEN
Belfast-based, John’s 49-year involvement with musical theatre has spanned the amateur, semi-pro and professional worlds and for the greater part of that time ran in conjunction with a long career in journalism. It has seen him perform in, direct and produce shows and concerts as well as broadcast and write extensively on musical theatre and review hundreds of shows. For the Association, he has acted as an adjudicator as well as editing the AIMS Bulletin, the forerunner of Show Times and more recently co-edited the 50th anniversary brochure.
SULLIVAN PROGRAMME ADJUDICATOR - BRIAN GUNNING
Brian has been a member of Tullamore Musical Society for 41 years appearing in 33 productions and serving on various
committees in positions of Chairman, President. Hon. Treasurer and PRO. As PRO, he was editor of show programmes for which he won AIMS awards in 1991 and 1992 and received a nomination in 1993. In 2010 in recognition of his service honorary life membership was bestowed upon him by the society.
Brian has been a member of the board of directors of Tullamore Credit union for the last 30 years serving as president in 2007and 2008.
In his spare time he enjoys a round of golf and was greatly honoured to serve as captain of Tullamore Golf Club in 2018.