The daughter of professional musicians, Violet Moore started piano at an early age, switching to button accordion when she was eleven. She has studied with Natasha Sheehy, Sheila Doorley and National Heritage Fellowship recipient Billy McComiskey. Now a college sophomore, Violet has won multiple medals in regional Fleadh Cheoil competitions and is an active member of Chicago’s session scene. … [Read more...] about Violet Moore
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Máirtín O’Connor
Máirtín O'Connor began playing the accordion at the age of 9, and his remarkable career has seen him as a member of many of traditional music's leading groups including, Midnight Well, De Danann, The Boys of the Lough, and Skylark. His first solo album, A Connachtman's Rambles, established him as a solo musician and proved a major critical success. The album remained in the British Folk … [Read more...] about Máirtín O’Connor
Susan Ritta
Susan Ritta is a Celtic musician and award-winning radio host from Lincoln, Nebraska. For the past 11 years, she has been host of "Thunder on the Plains," Nebraska's only local Celtic radio show, which airs twice weekly on Lincoln's community radio station KZUM. As a volunteer programmer, "Lady Susan" has interviewed dozens of Celtic artists from around the world for her program, including many … [Read more...] about Susan Ritta
Candy Schell
Candy Schell plays fiddle, mandolin and button accordion has been in the bands Spriggan, The Ugly Customers, Castle Kelly, Bungle Rye and currently Crooked Road. She enjoys sessions and is almost always at the J. Gilligan’s session on Tuesday nights in Arlington, TX and sessions in and around Dallas. She is also a member of the TIMES Band & Session Players. … [Read more...] about Candy Schell
Sharon Shannon
Irish President Michael D Higgins called her ‘A National Treasure’ and after 20 of her own albums, countless DVDS, filmed concerts, musical collaborations and a career that has spanned 40 years, Sharon Shannon in 2023 is still breaking new musical ground. Her career has seen her tour the world through America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand even to Saudi Arabia and China, headlining … [Read more...] about Sharon Shannon
Kenny Tweedy
Kenny Tweedy was born in Boston of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Kenny rediscovered his Scottish roots while living in Scotland in the 90s. Upon repatriating to the states, he found himself dissatisfied with contemporary popular music. Kenny found his calling when he started playing Irish traditional dance music in the new millennium. For the past 18 years, Kenny has been anchoring sessions … [Read more...] about Kenny Tweedy
John Whelan
Often hailed as one of the world’s best living Irish button accordion players, seven-time All-Ireland champion John Whelan was born to Irish parents living in Dunstable, England. He was raised in the vibrant London Irish music scene of the 1970s, learning his craft from such legends as Lucy Farr, Roger Sherlock, Paddy Taylor, Mick O’Connor, and his teacher, Brendan Mulkaire. John has received … [Read more...] about John Whelan