# Sephira

Sephira also known as Sephira - The Irish Rock Violinists are an Irish band consisting of sisters Joyce and Ruth O'Leary, who both play the violin and provide vocals.
They released their debut album Believe in 2006. Its style is classical crossover with traditional Irish influences.

## Early life and education

The sisters are from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland.
They started studying violin in early childhood: Joyce at two years of age and a half and Ruth at six. Joyce performed in the National Concert Hall, Dublin aged just three, playing a Bach minuet. She was named Ireland's Most Promising Violinist when she was nine.
Ruth studied music performance at London's Guildhall School of Music to study for a BA in Music Performance. She continued her studies in Dublin, where she received a first-class honours B.A. with a performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto at the National Concert Hall, Dublin. During her years of study, Ruth performed with acts such as Rodrigo y Gabriela and featured on their Live in Manchester and Dublin album.

## Performances

Sephira toured the US with the PBS show Celtic Thunder between 2008 and 2010. They have also played with Enya, Andrea Bocelli, Kanye West and Michael Buble.
Specializing in theater shows, corporate events, and private events, they have performed at private events for Prince Albert of Monaco, the late Larry Hagman, Priscilla Presley, Linda Gray and the women of Congress in Washington, D.C. They have also performed for other dignitaries including a US president, US vice president, US Secretary of Homeland Security, and the US National Coast Guard Foundation.

## Personal Lives

In 2014 the sisters spoke out about their health issues with hemochromatosis and autoimmune disorders, urging other people to get checked for these conditions.

## Background to Albums

* "Believe" (2006). The album was recorded in The Cauldron Studios, Dublin, and was produced by producer and instrumentalist Bill Shanley. Other musicians featured on the album include Ruby Ashley, William Butt, Noel Eccles, Karen Hamill, and former band member Colm Henry.
* "Sephira" (2008) released for the US market. This was a mix of "Believe" favourites and the 2008 EP "Love of my Life".
* "Starlight" (2011) was a Christmas album.
* "Eternity" (2012). This EP was dedicated to their late friend and mentor, Larry Hagman.
* "Sephira Believe Limited Edition" (2016) This album was released for the 10th anniversary of Sephira's debut album, Believe.
Irish Rock Violinists and sister duo Sephira have released three studio albums, two EPs, one single, and three music videos.

## Discography
### Studio albums

List of studio albums with release date, label, formats, and track listings :
| Title | Release Date | Label | Formats | Songs |
| Believe | 1 March 2006 | Cicero Records | CD, digital download, stream | 1. Dreams 2. If 4. Shine On 5. Time 6. Tears 7. Sunrise 8. Angel 9. Reflections 10. My World 11. Haunted 12. Far & Away |
| Sephira | November 2008 | Cicero Records | CD | |
| Starlight | 6 November 2011 | Cicero Records | CD, digital download, stream | 1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 2. Carol of the Bells 3. Jesu Joy 4. Walking in the Air 5. O Holy Night 6. Sleigh Ride 7. Believe 8. Hallelujah 9. Beneath a Thousand Stars 10. Silent Night (Oíche Chiúin) |
| Sephira Believe Limited Edition | March 2016 | Cicero Records | CD | 1. Dreams 2. If 4. Shine On 5. Time 6. Tears 7. Sunrise 8. Angel 9. Reflections 10. My World 11. Haunted 12. Far & Away Bonus Track: Love of my Life |

### Extended plays (EPs)

List of extended plays, with release date, label, formats, and track listings :
| Title | Release Date | Label | Formats | Songs |
| Love of My Life | September 15 2008 | Cicero Records | CD | 1. Love of My Life 2. El Tango de Roxanne / Libertango (Live in Liverpool) 3. Come Home to Me (Live in Liverpool) |
| Eternity | April 9 2013 | Cicero Records | CD, digital download | 1. See Me Now / Danse Macabre 2. To Love You More 3. Palladio 4. Hallelujah 5. Misirlou Bonus Track: Miracle (only available on CD) |

### Singles

List of singles, with release date, label, and formats :
| Title | Release Date | Label | Formats |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | 13 November 2020 | Cicero Records | Digital download, stream |
| Haunting 4SuMotion & Sephira | 13 February 2023 | Affiliate | stream |

### Music videos

List of music videos, with release date :
| Title | Release Date |
| Love of my Life | August 2007 |
| Hallelujah | October 2014 |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | December 2020 |
| Angel | 28 July 2021 |
| Despacito | 27 August 2021 |