Beginning her formal violin training at age six, Sharon Helga Corr developed a musical foundation that led to her founding the pop-rock group The Corrs in 1990 alongside her siblings. Her career spans decades of international touring, television coaching, and a series of solo projects that showcase her multifaceted skills as a composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist.
Early Career and The Corrs
Born in 1970 in Dundalk, Ireland, Corr emerged as a central figure in the band alongside her brother Jim and sisters Caroline and Andrea. Before their commercial success, she performed in national youth orchestras and earned qualifications as a violin teacher. In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II appointed the siblings as honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire for their musical impact and charitable contributions, including fundraising for the Freeman Hospital and victims of the Omagh Bombing.
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Corr launched her solo career with the 2010 album Dream of You, featuring original compositions and covers, supported by musicians such as Anthony Drennan and Keith Duffy. She followed this with the 2013 release The Same Sun and the 2021 studio album The Fool and the Scorpion.
Television and Collaborative Work
Beyond studio recording, Corr served as a coach on the first two series of the RTÉ talent program The Voice of Ireland. Her collaborative portfolio includes contributions to Jean-Michel Jarre’s 2000 album Métamorphoses, recordings with Bryn Terfel in 2008, and a 2009 duet with Alex Ubago titled Amarrado a Ti. In 2019, the Open University presented her with an honorary doctorate for her contributions to culture.
Fast facts
- Born: 1970, Dundalk, Ireland
- Instruments: Violin, piano, guitar
- Solo albums: Dream of You (2010), The Same Sun (2013), The Fool and the Scorpion (2021)
- Honours: Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (2005)
- Academic honour: Honorary doctorate, 2019
- Television work: Coach on The Voice of Ireland
- Collaborators include: Jean-Michel Jarre, Bryn Terfel, Alex Ubago
Questions readers ask
What instruments does Sharon Corr play?
She is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the violin, piano, and guitar.
Did she pursue a career outside of The Corrs?
Yes, she has released three solo studio albums and appeared as a coach on The Voice of Ireland.
Achievements
- Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire
- Instruments: guitar, violin and piano
- Genres: pop music and rock music
