John McKeown holds a Degree in Film Production from the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology and a Diploma in Media Communications from the Dublin Institute of Technology. His career has straddled the worlds of theatre, opera, recording studio and concert hall. John has composed extensively for noteable theatre productions, working closely with directors such as Michael Barker-Caven, Joe O'Byrne, Jim Culleton and Alan Gilsenan. Highlights of a freelance opera directing career include critically acclaimed productions of Hansel und Gretel and L'huere espagnole for Wexford Festival Opera and Riders to the Sea, The Bear and Il campanello for Anna Livia Opera Fringe. John is artistic director of LIVING OPERA, who presented a workshop performance of Fergus Johnston's opera The Earl of Kildare in 2009. He has worked at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Garsington Opera, Opera North and Scottish Opera alongside such distinguished directors as Sir Peter Hall (Otello), David Fielding (Arabella) and Daniel Slater (Bartered Bride). As a singer, John was for many years a core member of the Irish National Chamber Choir and a Lay Vicar Choral with St. Patrick's Cathedral. A member of the Palestrina Choir since April 2010, he is enjoying the choir's wide (and growing) repertoire.