Hayley Crosbie

My name is Hayley Crosbie, I am a 24-year-old singer from New Ross, Co. Wexford! I am a graduate of Maynooth University with a bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology. I have been singing since I was 4 years old and have been continuously supported by my amazing Mother ever since! I started off performing in Musicals playing roles such as Miss Hannigan in Annie, the Genie in Aladdin and Fizzy in Bugsy Malone. In 2015 I joined a stage school called ‘Superstars Stage Academy’ run by the amazing Sharon Clancy; we went on to perform winter and summer shows in the Dun Mhuire Theatre in Wexford (which has since closed down) as well as performing at events all around Wexford. I then began classical vocal lessons with Marketa Molcova in 2012 with her school ‘Scuolo Del Canto Libera’ travelling to Prague to perform in the opera’s ‘Dido & Aenaes’ (2015) and ‘The Tempest’ (2018).
I have performed in competitions including ‘Wexford Has Talent’ where I was placed 2nd, ‘The Soloist’, ‘The C.U Factor’ and more. I performed both the American and Irish Nation anthems at the Irish America Festival in New Ross in 2016 and 2017. In 2015 I won my school talent show and then in 2017 I won the Marguerite Brereton Memorial Cup for most musically talented in my school. In 2019 I hosted my own gig in the Kennedy Boutique, New Ross and September 2020 was asked to do my own gig in St Michaels Theatre which sold out. Every opportunity I have to get up on a stage and sing, I take it and so I perform at a lot of open mic nights in Wexford, Waterford and Dublin. I have sung at many charity events such as ‘Relay For Life’ since it started up in Wexford in 2016, I perform during the day at this event and during the Candle of Hope Ceremony which is when the relay stops for 10 minutes to remember those we have lost to cancer and those still fighting cancer; this event means even more to me now since losing my Father to cancer in 2018.
In 2017 I collaborated with The Cotton Tree Project to release the song ‘See Me’ which is available on all music platforms. Upon starting college in 2018, I joined the Maynooth music society; within this I joined the jazz & blues band and the rock band where we performed in Brady’s, The Roost and the student’s union throughout the week. In 2nd year I became the Events Manager of the music society and was in charge of all and any events we put on.
I was approached in 2018 to perform as the soloist in The Armed Man alongside The New Ross Singers which was an absolutely breath-taking experience. Then in 2019, I was approached to sing a version of ‘This Is Me’ for Cottage Autism Network to highlight that being different is a gift. Having a twin brother with a difference I was delighted to oblige and upon it’s release the video went viral on Facebook. I get an overwhelming sense of home the minute I walk out on a stage with a mic in my hand.
When Covid hit the country, like many others, I felt completely lost in how to continue my music career; it was all going so well then suddenly there was nothing! So, I threw myself into study and completely focused on my final year in college. I was once again approached by ‘The Cotton Tree Project’ in 2021 to collaborate on a song for the Eurovision! It was such a fun experience and even though I didn’t get anywhere in terms of the Eurovision, I’m super proud of the song which is called ‘Clouded’ and is available on all music streaming platforms. When restrictions started to lift, I began gigging again and that’s where I am now! I am gigging all around the South-East with a phenomenal guitarist, Des O’ Callaghan, and we call ourselves Presto! It’s a new experience for me and I am loving every minute! We are booking up super fast in a variety of different pubs, restaurants, hotels and I am just really looking forward to what the future holds!