Orla McGarrity is an Irish violinist based in Manchester where she graduated from the RNCM with a First-Class Honours Degree, studying with James Clark. She is currently pursuing a Masters under the tutelage of Cecily Ward and Pavel Fisher also at the RNCM, and has performed in masterclasses for Arabella Steinbacher, Nathaniel Vallois and Vera Vaidman. Recent highlights include performing works inspired by climate change at the Wigmore Hall with the RNCM Sinfonietta and playing with Northern Ireland Opera in their Autumn production of Eugene Onegin. In 24/25 Orla is one of the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble's Young Artists, receiving coaching on and performing contemporary repertoire.

​

Orla's love for curating chamber events led her to working as the Programming Assistant at the RNCM in 2022/23 and co-directing Enys Chamber Music Festival in Cornwall. She also enjoyed interning at Weesp Chamber Music Festival in the Netherlands and working as an ad hoc chamber music tutor at RNCM's Junior Department. Orla recently set up the Mourne Chamber Music Festival in Newcastle County Down which she plans to continue for years to come.

​

She plays on a 1920 Carlo Carletti violin generously loaned to her by the Harrison Frank Family Foundation and is grateful to be supported by the William and Frances Dobie Charitable Foundation. When not playing violin, Orla can be found evicting slugs from her allotment or reading a good book.