In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to University of Limerick graduate Fiona Marie Booth, who studied BA in Performing Arts and MA in Festive Arts (Event Production).
Currently living in Los Angeles, California, Fiona is Tour Coordinator for Lionel Richie and Aerosmith.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a 32-year-old Tour Manager and Producer currently living in Los Angeles, California. I grew up in the rural countryside of Laois, between Mountmellick and Emo - but I actually spent almost 10 years of my life living in Limerick after moving there to study at UL in 2009.
What course did you study, and what year did you graduate?
I studied the BA in Performing Arts, which at the time was called BA in Voice and Dance (now available as BA Contemporary Dance and BA Voice). After four years of the BA, I went on to study MA in Festive Arts (Event Production) - both at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.
Why did you choose to study at UL?
I chose to study at UL purely based on the programme. It was the first of its kind and there were no other options to study Performing Arts or music courses that weren’t so rigid in classical or teaching.
I think my career and life path would have turned out much differently if a programme like that didn’t open up and I was forced to study something outside of the arts. It lined up perfectly with finishing secondary school. Once I began studying at UL, I quickly fell in love with the campus and the energy there.
What were the highlights of your course?
There were so many highlights honestly. The course gave me a taste of many different areas of performance and really helped build my confidence. It was great getting to dive into various aspects of the creative process and performance and get introduced to a lot of explorative practices.
The fact that the Irish World Academy is a state-of-the-art facility and is home to many different creative and academic courses made the experience even better as I was able to avail of the dance studios and practice rooms, as well as mix with students from other courses and watch free performances and lectures from artists and practitioners from all over the world.
In third year, I was selected to go to California State University in Los Angeles for my study abroad programme. That was the first time a link had been set up between UL and a college in Los Angeles so I was really fortunate. I joined their dance programme and had a fantastic and transformative time. That set up the foundation for wanting to move to LA at some point. I did my study abroad there in 2012 and 10 years later in 2022, I officially moved from Ireland to LA!
As an AHSS student, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent, in state-of-the-art facilities. What was your experience like as a student in the Irish World Academy?
I definitely learned a lot from my tutors and lecturers at the Academy as they put so much attention and thoughtfulness into what they do and how they shared their knowledge and expertise.
I specifically learned a lot from the Course Director at the time, Dr Óscar Mascareñas and we are still in touch to this day. I was very inspired by most of the people I came in contact with at the Academy.
What advice would you offer to students considering studying at UL?
I would highly recommend UL to anyone considering going to university. It’s a really warm and inviting campus with lots of things going on and great clubs and societies.
It also has a great connection with Limerick City - which is how I ended up moving into Limerick and staying there for so long after my studies. I fell in love with the place and the community. It’s a very creative campus for anyone in the arts in particular. There’s also a lovely connection to nature with the River Shannon flowing through campus.
Were you a member of any clubs or societies?
I actually was not involved in any clubs or societies for the most part! I dedicated a lot of my extra-curricular and after-hours time to practicing and rehearsing at the Academy! That’s actually one piece of advice I would give to anyone coming to study.
I think it’s really valuable to join clubs to meet people and make friends outside of your own department so you’re not staying in one bubble the whole time. If I could go back, I would definitely do that - even though I have no regrets in my dedication to practice!
What are some of your favourite memories from your time at UL?
I always loved the charity week events and concerts, having a coffee or drink in the student cafes and all of the things I got to be a part of at the Academy over the years.
Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you?
Obviously the Irish World Academy has a special significance and magic to it. The Living Bridge is quite special just by its nature overlooking the river and the way it lights up at night and you can feel it bouncing under your feet - but also the way it connects the Irish World Academy to the rest of the campus.
How did your course and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace upon graduating?
As I said, I think my career would have turned out much differently if I didn’t study at UL.
Between my BA and my MA, it definitely opened a lot of doors for me, through learning and development as a person, through my studies, the experiences that my studies offered me and also the people. I met some great event producers during my Masters, who I then went on to work with in a professional capacity.
Eventually, one thing led to another and step by step I had carved out a career for myself in the arts in Ireland. I needed to go further afield in order to pursue my larger goals, but all of that time at UL and the experience that came out of it counted towards moving to the US and doing what I do now.
Could you update us on where you are now in your career?
Currently, I am Tour Coordinator for Lionel Richie and Aerosmith, and have had the privilege of working with so many amazing artists since moving to the US, including Alanis Morissette, Neil Young, Willie Nelson and more.
What has been a career highlight so far?
I have had many highlights so already since moving to the US 1.5 years ago. Last year I was involved in talent producing for the Recording Academy’s annual MusiCares Person of the Year gala which takes place the night before the Grammys. Last year’s event honoured Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy and featured a fantastic line-up of artists including Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crowe, John Legend, Mumford & Sons, and Dionne Warwick.
My final show with Alanis Morissette last year was definitely a highlight. We were at Fuji rock festival in the mountains of Japan. Alanis had finished her set and we packed all of the gear away to go back to Tokyo. Then I got the call that Alanis had agreed to cover a Sinead O’Connor song as part of the Foo Fighters set that night, so I was asked to stay.
Myself and Alanis sat down in her dressing room and spent time going over the lyrics. Next thing, I ended up in a tiny rehearsal room standing next to her as the Foo Fighters circled us blasting Mandinka by Sinead O’Connor at full volume. That was definitely one of my favourite moments.
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
I hope to continue touring and working with great artists, and to continue to build my life in LA. I also have some more personal and creative goals and projects I am working on outside of my career in the music industry. I like to see where life takes me and just do what I want to do and not what I think I should be doing, but who knows, I might even end up moving home to Ireland at some point while continuing to travel and tour.
