O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat
Teaching Traditional Irish Music
Our Workshop presenters include students, former and current instructors and invited guests who have knowledge and expertise on topics of interests to our participants. See WORKSHOPS for descriptions and SCHEDULE for the times and days of these events. Here are our Workshop presenters for this year:
Joseph Beckey comes from a choral tradition until discovering Irish music at a pub in 2008. One of the musicians taught a class “Traditional Songs In Harmony” at the Center for Irish Music in St. Paul, MN. After that, he was hooked. He has taken numerous song classes as well as learning to play mandolin, guitar, bouzouki and bodhrán. Soon after learning his first chords, Joseph was … [Read more...] about Joseph Beckey
Workshop Presenter – Pub Songs Sing-Along | Song Session Leader
Janis Deane, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and has more than 30 years of experience working with patients who have voice disorders, swallowing disorders, chronic cough and vocal cord dysfunction, and those requiring voice restoration following total laryngectomy. Janis is a classically trained singer, but also an avid instrumentalist. She has played Irish … [Read more...] about Janis Deane
Former Instructor – Whistle, Flute | Workshop Presenter – Vocal Health for Singers | Guest Concert Performer | Moderate Session Leader
2004, 2005, 2008, 2009
Paul is no stranger to diverse music styles. Originally from Kentucky, moving to Texas in the early 1960’s, his passion for music was ignited by the early 60’s rock scene. Paul has played in rock, jazz, bluegrass, swing and gospel bands and is currently active in Irish-Celtic music as past president of the Traditional Irish Music Education Society and heavily involved with the O’Flaherty Irish … [Read more...] about Paul Dryer
Workshop Presenter – Playing Irish Harmonica & Irish Harmonica Session | Guest Concert Performer
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 Michael Dugger
Workshop Presenter – How to Arrange Irish Tunes into Sets | Lively Session Leader | Guest Concert Performer
Nicolle Fig was born in Mexico City. Years later, she moved to Texas and then Ireland, where she developed a passion for Irish culture, its music, and its people. Nicolle specialises in bodhrán and traditional singing. Nicolle’s distinctive lyrical style of bodhrán playing has made her a highly sought-after musician and accompanist, both at home and abroad. She is also an in-demand teacher. Her … [Read more...] about Nicolle Fig
Instructor – Bodhrán
2023
Janice Frillmann graduated with a Performance degree concentrated in Chamber music from the University of Wisconsin. She currently teaches violin/viola at a private music studio, plays gigs and work as an usher at the Oklahoma City Dodgers. She has played regionally and nationally, recording in many places (including Nashville). Her love of Celtic music comes from her Scottish roots primarily … [Read more...] about Janice Frillmann
Workshop Presenter – How to Lead Tunes in a Session | Slow Session Leader
Tess Hartis is a Houston-based fiddler whose technical mastery of the violin shines in the worlds of traditional Irish music, classical music, and beyond. Tess began studying the violin at the age of 8, and earned degrees in Violin Performance and Music Education from the University of South Carolina. She spent her university years learning Irish fiddling through countless hours of transcribing … [Read more...] about Tess Hartis
Instructor – Fiddle Fundamentals | Workshop Presenter – Can You Play That Part Again? — Learning Tunes By Ear
2023
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
Former Instructor – Harp | Lead Harp Circle | Guest Concert Performer
2007, 2008
Margaret grew up in a musical family in Albuquerque, NM and moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2010, where she studied mathematics, music, and education at the University of Oregon in Eugene. She has been playing Irish tunes on fiddle and concertina for the past 10 years, motivated by the sheer beauty of the music and the opportunity to connect with other players. Margaret lives in Tacoma, WA and … [Read more...] about Margaret Keefe
Instructor – Concertina Fundamentals | Workshop Presenter – Creative Practice for Melody Instruments
2023
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 (featuring Olcan … [Read more...] about John Liestman
Former Instructor – Mandolin, Tenor Banjo | Workshop Presenter – Learning and Using ABC Notation, Instrument Petting Zoo & Retreat Tunes Played Slowly | Slow Session Leader
2011, 2012, 2015, 2017
