BMus Composition student joins international cohort of music creators for a two-year residency with Crash Ensemble and New Music Dublin
2nd year BMus Composition student Sofia Féria has been selected as one of five music creators for CRASH WORKS III, the next edition of Crash Ensemble’s flagship development programme for emerging artists.
CRASH WORKS is an initiative that supports music creators at pivotal stages of their careers, connecting them with Crash Ensemble musicians, New Music Dublin Festival and a broad team of creative collaborators. Across the 2026 to 2027 residency, participants are supported to experiment, collaborate and shape new work within the vibrant world of contemporary classical and experimental music.
For this third edition of the programme, five creators have been selected through an international open call:
- Niamh Dalton
- Sofia Féria
- Peter Joyce
- Joanna Mattrey
- Michael Sullivan
Over two years, the CRASH WORKS III creators will take part in a bespoke development hub designed around the needs of twenty first century artists. They will work closely with Crash Ensemble musicians and creative team, exploring new ideas, testing out sounds and processes, and building sustainable artistic practices. Each creator will develop a new ten minute work which will receive its world premiere at New Music Dublin Festival in 2027 at the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
Sofia Féria is a Portuguese composer and performer based in Dublin and is currently studying Composition and Cello at the Royal Irish Academy of Music under the tutelage of Jonathan Nangle and Peggy Nolan.
Her work spans electro acoustic soundscapes, notated ensemble pieces, choral music, spatially distributed electronics and acoustic performances with live electronics. Her music has been heard in venues including the Whyte Recital Hall and Unit 44 with Kirkos Ensemble, performed by herself, musicians from RIAM and the Dublin Youth Choir.
Sofia is particularly interested in exploring sound worlds in detail and in depth, often in close collaboration with other artists. She has worked with filmmakers and visual and performance artists on projects that blur boundaries between music, image and live performance. "I applied to become a Crash Works Creator because of the incredible opportunity that it is to work with professional musicians and get knowledge and insight from an experienced contemporary ensemble. I hope to expand my artistic and professional development, and establish myself as a creator, above all, enjoying my time while doing so."
Jonathan Nangle, Head of Composition at RIAM, said: “We are delighted for Sofia and very proud to see a RIAM student take up a place on CRASH WORKS III. The programme is a benchmark for adventurous new music, and this opportunity will give Sofia the space, feedback and professional insight that young composers need in order to flourish.”
CRASH WORKS has quickly become a major platform for emerging composers and music creators. Previous editions have supported artists including Aoife King, Tim Doyle, Aleksandr Nisse, Cathal O’Riordan, Lara Weaver (Crash Works II) and Amy Rooney, Anselm McDonnell, Laura Hyland, Úna Monaghan, Yue Song (Crash Works I), with premieres at New Music Dublin Festival and recordings available on Crash Records.
RIAM is proud to see Sofia join this community of artists and to continue to strengthen the Academy’s links with Crash Ensemble, New Music Dublin and the wider Irish new music scene.
Sofia’s new work for CRASH WORKS III will be created across the 2026 to 2027 residency, with its premiere at New Music Dublin 2027.