Alex Sharpe’s whole life has been full of music and performing. Sharpe kicked off her career playing the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in a production in Dublin, Ireland, where she grew up. From there her musical theater career blossomed. She was eventually asked to play Eponine in Les Miserables with the Cameron Mackintosh Company in England.
Sharpe’s love of music, however, doesn’t come from musical theater or Broadway, but rather from hymns. Sharpe’s mother was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon Church) when Sharpe was just a baby. So she grew up singing for services in Church and learning lovely, spiritual hymns. Throughout her sparkling music career, Sharpe has never forgotten where she first found her love of music–in worshipping Jesus Christ.
Joining Celtic Woman
The Irish group Celtic Woman began performing in 2004, and when one member, Lisa Kelly, took maternity leave in 2008, Alex Sharpe stepped in for the interim. In 2009, she replaced Orla Fallon and became a permanent member of the all-woman singing group.
She had a remarkable experience in Celtic Woman, and although she found marked success and fame with the group, in 2010 she resigned from Celtic Woman so that she could stay at home with her son. Despite her love for singing and performing, she found that being a part of such a wonderful and successful group compromised her relationship with her family, and that is something she wasn’t okay with.
Using Music to Share Her Testimony
Alex Sharpe has stayed out of the spotlight since she left Celtic Woman, though music is still an important part of her life. Hymns have always been her favorite songs to sing. “Music is a very powerful thing. I’ve heard it said that music prepares a man’s soul to receive the gospel,” she explains.[1] So while Sharpe may not be singing professionally anymore, we can be sure that she is still using music to express her testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.
Music has always been an important part of Mormon culture and even doctrine. Some of Sharpe’s favorite hymns are “Abide with Me” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” Music can be a way through which we can deeply feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, and she knows that. music will always be a part of her life, because she has never pursued music for the sole reason of becoming famous. She knows that her talents are gifts from God, and she uses those gifts to praise Him and help build the kingdom.
Charlotte graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in English, with an emphasis in editing. During her education she interned with the Neal A.Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, BYU Publications, and the New Era magazine. Charlotte currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and son. She's a stay-at-home-mom and has been able to keep up her writing through maintaining a personal blog (smallandtrivial.blogspot.com).
I am a retired Lutheran pastor. I am writing to say that you can be very proud of Alex Sharpe, one of my favorite singers. She recently recorded a beautiful CD of hymns titled “Be Still My Soul.” What a wonderful tribute to your church’s and Alex’s love of the music of faith. Blessings to her and to her family and to her beloved church. Peace.
Since it has been more than two months, I will assume that my comment did not pass “moderation.” Is there a reason why? Thank you.
Roger, sorry, this site is being updated rarely, since LDS.net, our mega-site is producing much the same kind of content. I can’t find your original comment. We don’t post anything controversial or against the Church or its tenets, just for your information.
While I applaud her decision I do miss that beautiful voice and the way she could light up a stage with her smile.
Your voice is wonderfully delightful. We love listening to you singing and appreciate your love for the One True God our Lord Jesus.