Albert Alfonso has been playing bodhran since the early 1980’s - that’s right, since last century. At some point he was asked to participate in some local and regional workshops. Over the years, one thing and another has lead to workshops at The Royal Academy of Music in London, The Royal Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, as well as workshops at many Irish and Celtic festivals and traditional … [Read more...] about Albert Alfonso
2017
Randal Bays
Randal Bays is a US-born musician who’s been playing Irish fiddle for more than forty years; “stone mad” for fiddling, as the saying goes. He’s now widely recognized as a master, with a special love of the traditional styles of Co. Clare and Co. Galway. He’s “among the best Irish style fiddlers of his generation”, according to Fiddler Magazine. Randal has toured and recorded with many of the great … [Read more...] about Randal Bays
Liz Carroll
Liz Carroll, the Irish fiddler and composer, has been thinking lately of the path her musical life has taken. It's been a road rich in traveling companions, with inspiration from stops along the way. And now, with Half Day Road, her new duet album with guitarist and pianist Jake Charron, just released, there will be new destinations in 2019. Since she was 18, when she astounded the Celtic music … [Read more...] about Liz Carroll
Pauline Conneely
Pauline Conneely was born in Bedford, England, the daughter of Irish parents from Connemara and Longford, raised in a family steeped in Irish music, dance and culture. As a young girl she achieved great success, becoming a champion Irish step dancer before turning her focus to music. Under the tutelage of legendary musician Brendan Mulkere, Pauline honed her love of the banjo, eventually earning … [Read more...] about Pauline Conneely
Mary Coogan
Mary Coogan is well known to those who enjoy the music of Cherish The Ladies. Together with Joanie Madden she is a founding member of the group and has been playing guitar, banjo, and mandolin for enthusiastic audiences around the world for over 30 years. Mary was born in Yonkers, NY. Her mother Celia Casserly came from County Roscommon and her father Jim Coogan played the accordion. She … [Read more...] about Mary Coogan
Marta Cook
A traditional musician from a young age, Marta Cook is committed to realizing the potential of the modern lever harp as a traditional instrument. Her approach to technique and musicianship is greatly inspired by her love of fiddling and piping, and particularly by the legacy of those traditions in Chicago. She is also well-known as an accompanist with an interest in developing the harp as a … [Read more...] about Marta Cook
Mickey Dunne
Mickey Dunne is a member of the Dunne Family, one of the great musical families of Ireland with a heritage stretching back many generations. They have entertained hundreds of thousands of Irish people at Fleadh Ceoils, Munster Finals, Galway Races, Fairs, etc., spanning a half century. The Dunnes played a major part in keeping alive Ireland's musical legacy, and all of them were master players … [Read more...] about Mickey Dunne
Steph Geremia
Steph Geremia, traditional flautist and singer, is recognized as a vibrant and versatile face on the traditional music scene. She has been described by Irish Music Magazine as “one of the most promising young flute players around” and “an unexpected treasure." Her 2009 debut album, "The Open Road," named as one of Folk World’s "top ten trad albums of 2009," received critical acclaim at home … [Read more...] about Steph Geremia
Brid Harper
Bríd Harper is regarded as one of the leading Irish traditional fiddle players of the last forty years. She grew up close to the east Donegal village of Castlefinn and started playing the fiddle at the age of nine. There is music on both sides of her family. Her grandfather Stephen Harper was a fiddler and came from a musical family. On her mother’s side her uncle Frank Kelly is a well known … [Read more...] about Brid Harper
Shannon Heaton
Irish flute/whistle player Shannon Heaton was exposed to a variety of music traditions early on. By age 16, she’d lived on three continents. She eventually settled in her adopted home of Boston in 2001, where she was named 2016 Traditional Artist Fellow by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Shannon is a warm, entertaining performer and excels at making Irish music relevant and accessible to a … [Read more...] about Shannon Heaton