A Washington, DC native, Angela Botzer has played traditional Irish music on the fiddle in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since the early 1980’s. She was a member of the DC-based bands Sodabread, and The Hedgerows, and has played for numerous ceilis and contradances. Angela has also had performances at the Irish Embassy in Washington, DC. Since moving to Oklahoma six years ago, … [Read more...] about Angela Botzer
Session Leaders
Matthew Cook
Matthew Cook has been singing all his life. But when the Irish genre took hold of him, the songs in his head were forever changed. Now he plays and sings Irish Music in the DFW area as much as he possibly can. He plays with Slugger's Rule and String Theory; he helps lead the Wednesday night Irish Music sessions, with the amazing Daniel Mehalko at The Celt Irish Pub, and is also a member of the … [Read more...] about Matthew Cook
Mike Dugger
Michael Dugger has been playing Irish music since 1982 when he was a founding member of the early super Irish American music group, Scartaglen. He was also a founding member of Sunrush and The Kelly Band. Though he started out in the music playing the stringed instruments, a left hand injury pushed him in the direction of the button accordion. He has been playing the box since 2001. He’s has shown … [Read more...] about Mike Dugger
Peggy Fleming
Peggy Fleming has played traditional music for most of her life. Classically trained in violin, she was introduced to traditional folk music through “old-timey” American fiddle, which led to an interest in Irish music. She has played previously with the New Dallas String Band, Blackland Grass, Tinker’s Dam, Stone Soup, Waifs & Strays, and Loose Change. She now performs with … [Read more...] about Peggy Fleming
2004
Margaret Graham
Her fiddle work has been described as "fearless and formidable . . . with captivating tone and intonation," Virginia-born Margaret Graham honed her traditional music skills playing at festivals with a vast array of talents. Margaret, an engineering student at Southern Methodist University, is a classically-trained violinist and former concertmistress of the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra. This … [Read more...] about Margaret Graham
Judd Heartsill
Judd Heartsill was inspired to take up button accordion in 1997 after hearing the incomparable Jackie Daly play live with Patrick Street. He has recorded three albums with his friends from Houston's Irish Traditional band, "The Jig is Up", and also particularly enjoys playing for set dancers. He is really grateful to play with the wonderful Irish musicians around the state of Texas, and … [Read more...] about Judd Heartsill
Therese Honey
Therese Honey’s childhood fascination with the harp blossomed into an exciting and successful career as a full-time harpist, recording artist and teacher. She has performed as solo harpist with the Chieftains, has been featured at the Chicago Irish Festival, the Milwaukee Irish Festival, the annual Carolan Festival in Keadue, Co. Roscommon, in addition to the North Texas Irish Festival, … [Read more...] about Therese Honey
Workshop — Guerilla Harp Tactics: How to Play the Harp in a Traditional Irish Session | Harp Circle Leader | Guest Concert Performer
2007, 2008
Alli Johnson
Alli Johnson is a folk singer and multi-instrumentalist. She is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the award-winning Dallas-based Celtic group The Selkie Girls and also serves as the director for North Texas School of Irish Music Gaelic Youth Chorus. In addition, she teaches private lessons for piano, guitar, voice, and ukulele and conducts Irish and … [Read more...] about Alli Johnson
John Liestman
John Leistman John Liestman has been playing Irish traditional music on the tenor banjo, mandolin, and uilleann pipes for over 30 years. He taught mandolin in 2011, 2012 and 2015 at the prestigious O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, at the 2015 St Louis Tionol, and is an instructor with the Houston School of Irish Music. Over the years he has been a member of Terry and the Pirates, Claddagh … [Read more...] about John Liestman
Slow Session Leader | Workshops — Retreat Tunes Played Slowly | Instrument Petting Zoo
2011, 2012, 2015, 2017
Clay Levit
Clay Levit has been playing Irish music for about 15 years and hosts weekly sessions and tune learning sessions at the Fiddler’s Green Music Shop in Austin. Other than earning $20 for playing bodhran at a celtic brunch, he has never played professionally, but just plays for the enjoyment of the music and the community that surrounds Irish music. Based on his own experiences with the … [Read more...] about Clay Levit