Meet the Faculty
Joey Abarta
Joey has spent the last seventeen years touring North America, Europe, and Asia, teaching and performing music on the uilleann pipes. A Los Angeles native, he first received instruction on the pipes from Dubliner Pat D’Arcy, a founding member of the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club.
His musical skills have been further honed by several visits to Ireland, a year-long stay in Japan, and continuing relationships with master pipers. In August of 2009, Joey’s accomplished playing won him a second place trophy the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. In the fall of 2014 Joey won first prize at the An tOireachtas, becoming the the first American uilleann piper to do so since 1969. In 2015 Joey was honored to be a recipient of a traditional arts apprenticeship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, meaning he was awarded a grant to teach his art to the next generation.
Currently based in Boston, Joey divides his attention between performance, teaching, and recording. In addition to performing solo, he performs with his wife, old-style step dancer Jaclyn O'Riley, Nathan Gourley of “Life is all Checkered" and "The Truckly Howl" fame, and has toured with the late Mick Moloney and the group The Green Fields of America. While at home, he organizes the meetings of the Boston Pipers Club and various traditional music concerts and events. In 2018 Joey was invited to play with his wife for the president of Ireland at the Abbey Theater in Dublin Ireland for Na Píobairí Uilleann’s celebration of uilleann piping being recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
His musical skills have been further honed by several visits to Ireland, a year-long stay in Japan, and continuing relationships with master pipers. In August of 2009, Joey’s accomplished playing won him a second place trophy the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. In the fall of 2014 Joey won first prize at the An tOireachtas, becoming the the first American uilleann piper to do so since 1969. In 2015 Joey was honored to be a recipient of a traditional arts apprenticeship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, meaning he was awarded a grant to teach his art to the next generation.
Currently based in Boston, Joey divides his attention between performance, teaching, and recording. In addition to performing solo, he performs with his wife, old-style step dancer Jaclyn O'Riley, Nathan Gourley of “Life is all Checkered" and "The Truckly Howl" fame, and has toured with the late Mick Moloney and the group The Green Fields of America. While at home, he organizes the meetings of the Boston Pipers Club and various traditional music concerts and events. In 2018 Joey was invited to play with his wife for the president of Ireland at the Abbey Theater in Dublin Ireland for Na Píobairí Uilleann’s celebration of uilleann piping being recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Lexie Boatright
Lexie is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist known for her effortless musicality and sensitive musicianship on harp, concertina, and fiddle. She is a member of the breakout Irish Trad band, The Consequences, with whom she tours nationally and internationally throughout the year as well as performing frequently as a duo with fellow band member, Ryan Ward.
Lexie regularly teaches and performs at summer schools and festivals including the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, Boxwood Festival in Nova Scotia, Catskills Irish Arts Week, O’Flaherty’s Irish Music Retreat, Celtic Fest Mississippi among others.
In addition to her work as a performer, Lexie is in high demand as a teacher, with both Regional and All-Ireland winning students. She is well known for making the music accessible no matter the level or experience of the student. As the director of the Baltimore-Washington Academy of Irish Culture, she leads the area’s competition Youth Ceili Bands and Grupa Cheoil. Lexie regularly teaches and performs on the summer school and festival circuit including the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, Boxwood Festival in Nova Scotia, Catskills Irish Arts Week, O’Flaherty’s Irish Music Retreat, Celtic Fest Mississippi among others and is a frequent Fleadh adjudicator.
Lexie is a prominent advocate for equity in the field of traditional music, and in 2021 received an Irish Echo Arts and Culture Award for her work with FairPlé, an organization that “aims to achieve gender balance in the production, performance, promotion, and development of Irish traditional and folk music.”
Lexie regularly teaches and performs at summer schools and festivals including the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, Boxwood Festival in Nova Scotia, Catskills Irish Arts Week, O’Flaherty’s Irish Music Retreat, Celtic Fest Mississippi among others.
In addition to her work as a performer, Lexie is in high demand as a teacher, with both Regional and All-Ireland winning students. She is well known for making the music accessible no matter the level or experience of the student. As the director of the Baltimore-Washington Academy of Irish Culture, she leads the area’s competition Youth Ceili Bands and Grupa Cheoil. Lexie regularly teaches and performs on the summer school and festival circuit including the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, Boxwood Festival in Nova Scotia, Catskills Irish Arts Week, O’Flaherty’s Irish Music Retreat, Celtic Fest Mississippi among others and is a frequent Fleadh adjudicator.
Lexie is a prominent advocate for equity in the field of traditional music, and in 2021 received an Irish Echo Arts and Culture Award for her work with FairPlé, an organization that “aims to achieve gender balance in the production, performance, promotion, and development of Irish traditional and folk music.”
Myron Bretholz
Photo: Scott Ortel
A native and current resident of Baltimore, Maryland, Myron has lent his talents as a percussionist to more than sixty recordings of Irish, Scottish, and other folk music. Since the late 1980s, Myron has taught bodhrán and rhythm bones at many workshops throughout the United States and Canada, including Boston College's Gaelic Roots, Gaelic College in Cape Breton, the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat in Texas, and the Catskills Irish Arts Week in East Durham, New York.
In addition, Myron's prodigious knowledge of the history and lore of Irish tunes has led to his being invited to contribute liner notes to a number of recordings over the past quarter century, and he is often called on to emcee at concerts and festivals as well. Myron's bodhrán workshop will focus on the basic techniques of playing, with emphasis on phrasing, accenting, and -- most importantly of all -- listening. Hornpipes, jigs, and reels will be covered; if time permits, slip jigs, slides, and polkas will also be reviewed.
In addition, Myron's prodigious knowledge of the history and lore of Irish tunes has led to his being invited to contribute liner notes to a number of recordings over the past quarter century, and he is often called on to emcee at concerts and festivals as well. Myron's bodhrán workshop will focus on the basic techniques of playing, with emphasis on phrasing, accenting, and -- most importantly of all -- listening. Hornpipes, jigs, and reels will be covered; if time permits, slip jigs, slides, and polkas will also be reviewed.
Angelina Carberry
Angelina was born in Manchester, England into a County Longford musical family steeped in traditional music. Starting on the tin whistle, she later moved on to the banjo, following in the footsteps of her father Peter and grandfather Kevin Carberry. Angelina moved to Galway in the late 90s, where she recorded the highly acclaimed album Memories from the Holla with her father Peter on accordion and John Blake on guitar and piano.
Over the years Angelina has developed a highly personal style with unique rhythmical characteristics. Her unmistakable banjo sound is captured on her solo 2005 CD, An Traidisún Beo and Pluckin’Mad in 2014, which were awarded among the Irish Echo’s Top 10 CDs of the year. Angelina also recorded two duet albums with accordion player Martin Quinn in 2003 and A Waltz for Joy in 2017 with accordion player Dan Brouder. She also guested on Josephine Marsh’s, 2018 CD, Music in the Frame.
In addition to performing Angelina is also a respected music teacher and popular banjo tutor at many festivals throughout the Ireland and abroad. Angelina has also played popular TV program series Fleadh Cheoil RTE, Bosca Ceol, Hup, and Sé mo Laoch, TG4, and was awarded the prestigious TG4 award Ceoiltor na Bliana / Musician of the Year, 2021.
Over the years Angelina has developed a highly personal style with unique rhythmical characteristics. Her unmistakable banjo sound is captured on her solo 2005 CD, An Traidisún Beo and Pluckin’Mad in 2014, which were awarded among the Irish Echo’s Top 10 CDs of the year. Angelina also recorded two duet albums with accordion player Martin Quinn in 2003 and A Waltz for Joy in 2017 with accordion player Dan Brouder. She also guested on Josephine Marsh’s, 2018 CD, Music in the Frame.
In addition to performing Angelina is also a respected music teacher and popular banjo tutor at many festivals throughout the Ireland and abroad. Angelina has also played popular TV program series Fleadh Cheoil RTE, Bosca Ceol, Hup, and Sé mo Laoch, TG4, and was awarded the prestigious TG4 award Ceoiltor na Bliana / Musician of the Year, 2021.
Tim Carey
Tim Carey is a freelance professional bagpipe player based in the Washington, DC / Baltimore area, performing as a soloist and in collaboration with other professional musicians. His primary focus is playing Scottish and Irish music. He also plays music from other Celtic diaspora. He has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He has played in some of the finest venues in the country including The Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, The Hall of Musical Instruments at the Smithsonian Institution, Strathmore Hall, The Birchmere, Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts, the National Cathedral, Mountain Stage, and Madison Square Garden.
Tim and his pipe band played for Sean Connery at the Kennedy Center Honors in the presence of President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, and of course many famous actors and televised to a national audience. He also played at the Main Event in the first Wrestle Mania in Madison Square Garden featuring Hulk Hogan verses Rowdy Roddy Piper with a crowd of 22,000 fans attending.
Tim had the honor of playing the bagpipes at the funeral of World War Two Hero Quentin Aanenson, who was featured in Ken Burns' documentary The War. Mr. Burns was in attendance for that honorable farewell at Arlington National Cemetery. Tim has performed for the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus as well as playing for Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion live on stage at Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts. Tim has also shared the stage with such talented musicians as Bonnie Rideout, Al Petteway, Jerry O'Sullivan, Matt Bell, Mark O'Conner, and Alasdair Fraser.
He is a guest player with Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra and played the bagpipes and whistle in the Baltimore based Irish punk band The Charm City Saints. Tim also played with the City of Washington Pipe Band who were World Champions in 1999 in Glasgow, Scotland at the World Pipe Band Championships.
Tim and his pipe band played for Sean Connery at the Kennedy Center Honors in the presence of President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, and of course many famous actors and televised to a national audience. He also played at the Main Event in the first Wrestle Mania in Madison Square Garden featuring Hulk Hogan verses Rowdy Roddy Piper with a crowd of 22,000 fans attending.
Tim had the honor of playing the bagpipes at the funeral of World War Two Hero Quentin Aanenson, who was featured in Ken Burns' documentary The War. Mr. Burns was in attendance for that honorable farewell at Arlington National Cemetery. Tim has performed for the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus as well as playing for Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion live on stage at Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts. Tim has also shared the stage with such talented musicians as Bonnie Rideout, Al Petteway, Jerry O'Sullivan, Matt Bell, Mark O'Conner, and Alasdair Fraser.
He is a guest player with Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra and played the bagpipes and whistle in the Baltimore based Irish punk band The Charm City Saints. Tim also played with the City of Washington Pipe Band who were World Champions in 1999 in Glasgow, Scotland at the World Pipe Band Championships.
Keith Carr
Keith plays bouzouki, tenor banjo, and mandolin, and he can occasionally be heard singing. He is particularly known for his work as half of the duo Lilt. He also performs with other notable Irish and acoustic musicians in the Washington, DC area, and plays frequently for concerts, festivals, dances, and other events. His musical background includes extensive classical training in trumpet and piano, plus many years as a performing guitarist. He found his way into Irish music via his interest in solo fingerstyle guitar, for which much of the repertoire consists of traditional Irish tunes.
He is originally from New York, and moved to Washington, DC thirty-some years ago after completing graduate school in Oregon. He recently retired from his career as a prominent conservation scientist, and is now fully engaged in what he loves to do the most: performing and teaching traditional music.
Keith is on the faculty of the Washington Conservatory of Music, teaches at various Irish music camps and workshops, and gives private lessons. He lives in Falls Church, Virginia.
He is originally from New York, and moved to Washington, DC thirty-some years ago after completing graduate school in Oregon. He recently retired from his career as a prominent conservation scientist, and is now fully engaged in what he loves to do the most: performing and teaching traditional music.
Keith is on the faculty of the Washington Conservatory of Music, teaches at various Irish music camps and workshops, and gives private lessons. He lives in Falls Church, Virginia.
Brian Conway
New York born fiddler Brian Conway is a leading exponent of the tastefully ornamented Sligo fiddling style made famous by the late Michael Coleman. The winner of two All- Ireland junior titles in 1973 and 1974 and the All-Ireland senior championship of 1986, Brian's early studies were with his father Jim of Plumbridge, County Tyrone and with Limerick born fiddler/teacher Martin Mulvihill. However, it was the legendary fiddler and composer Martin Wynne who taught him the real secrets of the County Sligo style. Later, Brian met and befriended the great Andy McGann of New York, a direct student of Michael Coleman, who further shaped his precision and skill on the instrument.
In 1979, Brian recorded a duet album, The Apple In Winter (Green Linnet) with fellow New York fiddler Tony Demarco. He released his debut solo CD, First Through the Gate, on the Smithsonian-Folkways label in July 2002. This CD was voted the Album of the Year by the Irish Echo. Brian is also featured on the CD, My Love is in America, recorded at the Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival, and on the documentary "Shore to Shore" which highlights traditional Irish music in New York. He is considered one of the musical rocks of the New York area.
In 2007, Brian released a CD titled A Tribute to Andy McGann on the prestigious Irish Label Cló Iar-Chonnachta. This CD pairs up Irish Music legends Joe Burke and Felix Dolan along with Brian in a CD which has received glowing accolades since its release in the summer of 2007. Brian followed this CD with a much-anticipated Solo CD titled "Consider the Source" in deference to the rich environment from which Brian learned his music. This CD was released in 2008 on the Cló Iar-Chonnachta Label. This CD features guest appearances by music greats Niamh Parsons, Dan Milner, Billy McComiskey, Joannie Madden, Felix Dolan, and Brendan Dolan. Earle Hitchner of the Irish Echo described this CD as "Easily one of the best releases this year." Brian followed up that recording with the highly acclaimed Pride of New York, and last year, in 2017, recorded with the group Gailfean, featuring John Whelan, Mairtin DeCogain and Don Penzien.
Brian remains faithful to the rich tradition handed down to him. The distinctness of his tone, the lift of his playing, and the deft ornamentation he brings to the tunes have placed him among the finest Irish fiddlers of any style, Sligo or otherwise. He has performed all over North America from San Francisco to New York and places in between, such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Colorado. His talents have also been enthusiastically received throughout Ireland and the rest of Europe. He is also considered one of the premier instructors of traditional Irish music who has mentored many fine fiddle players, including several who have gone on to win All-Ireland championships.
brianconway.com
In 1979, Brian recorded a duet album, The Apple In Winter (Green Linnet) with fellow New York fiddler Tony Demarco. He released his debut solo CD, First Through the Gate, on the Smithsonian-Folkways label in July 2002. This CD was voted the Album of the Year by the Irish Echo. Brian is also featured on the CD, My Love is in America, recorded at the Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival, and on the documentary "Shore to Shore" which highlights traditional Irish music in New York. He is considered one of the musical rocks of the New York area.
In 2007, Brian released a CD titled A Tribute to Andy McGann on the prestigious Irish Label Cló Iar-Chonnachta. This CD pairs up Irish Music legends Joe Burke and Felix Dolan along with Brian in a CD which has received glowing accolades since its release in the summer of 2007. Brian followed this CD with a much-anticipated Solo CD titled "Consider the Source" in deference to the rich environment from which Brian learned his music. This CD was released in 2008 on the Cló Iar-Chonnachta Label. This CD features guest appearances by music greats Niamh Parsons, Dan Milner, Billy McComiskey, Joannie Madden, Felix Dolan, and Brendan Dolan. Earle Hitchner of the Irish Echo described this CD as "Easily one of the best releases this year." Brian followed up that recording with the highly acclaimed Pride of New York, and last year, in 2017, recorded with the group Gailfean, featuring John Whelan, Mairtin DeCogain and Don Penzien.
Brian remains faithful to the rich tradition handed down to him. The distinctness of his tone, the lift of his playing, and the deft ornamentation he brings to the tunes have placed him among the finest Irish fiddlers of any style, Sligo or otherwise. He has performed all over North America from San Francisco to New York and places in between, such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Colorado. His talents have also been enthusiastically received throughout Ireland and the rest of Europe. He is also considered one of the premier instructors of traditional Irish music who has mentored many fine fiddle players, including several who have gone on to win All-Ireland championships.
brianconway.com
Tina Eck
Tina plays the Irish wooden flute and tin whistle. Originally from Germany and now working as a Washington-based radio news correspondent, she discovered her passion for Irish traditional music in a local pub in Washington, DC, in the 1990s. She has since performed at countless sessions, festivals, dances, and concerts, including such notable venues as the Irish Embassy and the Kennedy Center. She is on the faculty of the Washington Conservatory of Music program at Glen Echo Park, and she also gives private flute and whistle lessons.
In 2011 Tina was awarded a Maryland State Arts Council Grant for Solo World Music Performance. Tina also holds a 2013 TTCT Teaching Diploma by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Dublin), identifying her as one of the premier teachers of Irish traditional music. Tina performs with the bands Lilt, Rambling House, and the Irish Inn Mates. She lives in Cabin John, Maryland.
In 2011 Tina was awarded a Maryland State Arts Council Grant for Solo World Music Performance. Tina also holds a 2013 TTCT Teaching Diploma by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Dublin), identifying her as one of the premier teachers of Irish traditional music. Tina performs with the bands Lilt, Rambling House, and the Irish Inn Mates. She lives in Cabin John, Maryland.
Kevin Elam
Kevin is a multi-instrumentalist and 2019 All-Ireland Champion in Men's Singing. Although he boasts a strong background in classical piano and a degree in Jazz studies, Kevin is rooted in Irish traditional music. In addition to playing the tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo, Kevin has also honed his skills as a singer and interpreter of Irish traditional song, cultivating a significant repertoire of ballads. This intensive practice and study of the tradition were formally recognized in August of 2019, when he was awarded first place in Men's English Singing at the 2019 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, held in Drogheda, Ireland, and took home the coveted “Dalaigh Shield,” an award only won by one other American in its 62-year history.
Kevin has also achieved recognition at home as a competitor in the CCE Mid-Atlantic Fleadh. In 2017-2019, Kevin won a total of twelve different awards in seven categories, including seven first-place awards (tin whistle, singing, piano, and miscellaneous instrument), and all three years represented the region in the All-Ireland Fleadh.
Over the past several years, Kevin has enjoyed a consistent schedule of performing at house concerts, pubs, museums, churches, concert series, and festivals, in the DC area and beyond. Performance credits include the Fairfax CCE Irish Folk Fest, the Washington Folk Fest, the Takoma Park Folk Fest, the Virginia Scottish Games, Acadia Trad Festival, Appaloosa Festival, the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery of Art, and many more. Kevin has also toured extensively with Scottish National Fiddle Champion Sean Heely, performing throughout the mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Kevin can be heard playing and singing on Tuesdays at the weekly session at the Irish Inn in Glen Echo, and at a variety of other DC area sessions.
Kevin greatly enjoys sharing his knowledge and insight with students, and has given classes and workshops on traditional music at the Washington Conservatory of Music, Schoodic Arts Center in Winter Harbor, Maine, Seven Stars Arts Center in Sharon, Vermont, and many more. In 2020, Kevin joined the prestigious faculty of DC's premiere Irish traditional music festival, MAD week. Kevin has taught in a variety of settings with both children and adults, including as a group piano instructor, rock band coach, and treble choir director. Kevin is also a passionate and skilled private teacher, and maintains a studio of about 25 piano students.
Kevin stays quite busy with other musical pursuits outside of the Irish traditional music scene. Holding a BM in Jazz Piano from George Mason University, Kevin performs regularly as a keyboardist in jazz and popular styles in the DC area. He has also developed a reputation as a skilled chamber singer, and enjoys singing Renaissance polyphony (as well as other choral works) as a member of the Suspicious Cheese Lords, an all-male “early music” a-capella group, and as a paid chorister at the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes, which boasts a well-regarded music program under the direction of J. Owen Burdick.
Kevin has also achieved recognition at home as a competitor in the CCE Mid-Atlantic Fleadh. In 2017-2019, Kevin won a total of twelve different awards in seven categories, including seven first-place awards (tin whistle, singing, piano, and miscellaneous instrument), and all three years represented the region in the All-Ireland Fleadh.
Over the past several years, Kevin has enjoyed a consistent schedule of performing at house concerts, pubs, museums, churches, concert series, and festivals, in the DC area and beyond. Performance credits include the Fairfax CCE Irish Folk Fest, the Washington Folk Fest, the Takoma Park Folk Fest, the Virginia Scottish Games, Acadia Trad Festival, Appaloosa Festival, the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery of Art, and many more. Kevin has also toured extensively with Scottish National Fiddle Champion Sean Heely, performing throughout the mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Kevin can be heard playing and singing on Tuesdays at the weekly session at the Irish Inn in Glen Echo, and at a variety of other DC area sessions.
Kevin greatly enjoys sharing his knowledge and insight with students, and has given classes and workshops on traditional music at the Washington Conservatory of Music, Schoodic Arts Center in Winter Harbor, Maine, Seven Stars Arts Center in Sharon, Vermont, and many more. In 2020, Kevin joined the prestigious faculty of DC's premiere Irish traditional music festival, MAD week. Kevin has taught in a variety of settings with both children and adults, including as a group piano instructor, rock band coach, and treble choir director. Kevin is also a passionate and skilled private teacher, and maintains a studio of about 25 piano students.
Kevin stays quite busy with other musical pursuits outside of the Irish traditional music scene. Holding a BM in Jazz Piano from George Mason University, Kevin performs regularly as a keyboardist in jazz and popular styles in the DC area. He has also developed a reputation as a skilled chamber singer, and enjoys singing Renaissance polyphony (as well as other choral works) as a member of the Suspicious Cheese Lords, an all-male “early music” a-capella group, and as a paid chorister at the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes, which boasts a well-regarded music program under the direction of J. Owen Burdick.
Seán Heely
A champion fiddler and singer, Seán is one of the most creatively versatile and captivating young artists of his generation. He is a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion as well as an award-winning Irish Fiddler, singer, and harpist in the folk and Gaelic traditions of Scotland and Ireland. Seán holds a degree from University of South Carolina in Classical Violin Performance, and was a 2019 Artist in Residence at Strathmore Music Center in Maryland.
An educator in demand, Seán is an Adjunct Instructor at American University. He has also been on the faculty at several summer camps such as Acadia Traditional School of Music and Arts, Upper Potomac Fiddle Retreat, and Fiddle Hell Festival. He has performed in Scotland, Ireland, South America, Germany, and at prestigious venues in the U.S. such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and Strathmore Music Center.
A composer and arranger, Seán has won national awards including the 2016 Scottish Fiddling Revival’s Tune writing competition. 2018 saw Seán featured on the cover the Fiddler Magazine Winter Issue as well as an interview article on Seán's journey to one of the foremost young performers of his generation.
Seán has two full-length albums out: “Edge of the Bow” and “Homeport ~ Port na Dachaigh,” and both have received international acclaim.
Currently based in Washington, DC, Seán performs locally and abroad with the Seán Heely Celtic Band, The Glencoe Lads, and Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra. He is a musical ambassador for the British Embassy Scottish Affairs Office and the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington. He also frequently travels abroad as a solo artist, has been a speaker at events such as the Scottish North American Leadership Conference, and maintains a private teaching studio in Falls Church, Virginia.
An educator in demand, Seán is an Adjunct Instructor at American University. He has also been on the faculty at several summer camps such as Acadia Traditional School of Music and Arts, Upper Potomac Fiddle Retreat, and Fiddle Hell Festival. He has performed in Scotland, Ireland, South America, Germany, and at prestigious venues in the U.S. such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and Strathmore Music Center.
A composer and arranger, Seán has won national awards including the 2016 Scottish Fiddling Revival’s Tune writing competition. 2018 saw Seán featured on the cover the Fiddler Magazine Winter Issue as well as an interview article on Seán's journey to one of the foremost young performers of his generation.
Seán has two full-length albums out: “Edge of the Bow” and “Homeport ~ Port na Dachaigh,” and both have received international acclaim.
Currently based in Washington, DC, Seán performs locally and abroad with the Seán Heely Celtic Band, The Glencoe Lads, and Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra. He is a musical ambassador for the British Embassy Scottish Affairs Office and the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington. He also frequently travels abroad as a solo artist, has been a speaker at events such as the Scottish North American Leadership Conference, and maintains a private teaching studio in Falls Church, Virginia.
Linda Hickman
nda is an original member of the Washington, DC-based band Celtic Thunder, and can be heard on all of their recordings. She learned to play Irish traditional flute from the late Jack Coen in the Bronx, and later from Mike Rafferty and Monsignor Charlie Coen.
She plays with the Ceol na gCroi Ceili Band, playing for ceilis throughout the NY/NJ Tri-State area with John Nolan (accordion) and Brendan Fahey (drums). In 2016, Linda was inducted into Comhaltas Ceoltoiri-Eireann-Mid Atlantic Region Hall of Fame for her contribution to Irish music and dance in the New York area. She was also a 2012 inductee into the People’s Choice Hall of Fame in NYC for her contribution to Irish music and she is a recipient of a City Artists Corp Grant from NY Foundation for the Arts in 2021 for her film Me and The Sea.
She continues to teach Irish tin whistle and flute online on Zoom, Skype and Facetime.
She plays with the Ceol na gCroi Ceili Band, playing for ceilis throughout the NY/NJ Tri-State area with John Nolan (accordion) and Brendan Fahey (drums). In 2016, Linda was inducted into Comhaltas Ceoltoiri-Eireann-Mid Atlantic Region Hall of Fame for her contribution to Irish music and dance in the New York area. She was also a 2012 inductee into the People’s Choice Hall of Fame in NYC for her contribution to Irish music and she is a recipient of a City Artists Corp Grant from NY Foundation for the Arts in 2021 for her film Me and The Sea.
She continues to teach Irish tin whistle and flute online on Zoom, Skype and Facetime.
Dan Kaufman
Dan is a sean-nós singer and piano player now living in Philadelphia after 30 years in the DC area. It was in DC that he reignited his childhood love affair with traditional Irish music, and where over the years he developed a deep and loving connection with the people and institutions that make up the trad community.
He sits on the board of the O'Neill-Malcom branch as webmaster, and has lent his hand as a print and web designer to this convention, designing the printed program, website, as well as acting as registrar.
In Philly, Dan participates in a few local sessions, playing piano and singing, and looks forward to his too-infrequent visits back to DC where he enjoys singing in harmony with fellow session-goers at the best pubs around.
He sits on the board of the O'Neill-Malcom branch as webmaster, and has lent his hand as a print and web designer to this convention, designing the printed program, website, as well as acting as registrar.
In Philly, Dan participates in a few local sessions, playing piano and singing, and looks forward to his too-infrequent visits back to DC where he enjoys singing in harmony with fellow session-goers at the best pubs around.
Agi Kovacs
Agi is a Hungarian native, who began her dance career at the Hungarian National Ballet Institute where she was trained in classical ballet, Hungarian folk and historical dance styles. About 17 years ago she started up her professional percussive dance career here in the US, as a principal dancer with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. Agi has been performing and touring the states and abroad over the years and she makes a point to only perform to live music. One of her passions is to collaborate with different genre artists.
Agi thinks it’s important to keep these traditions alive by making it accessible to all. She loves to teach and explore the connections between genres and her own connection to the music. Her versatile knowledge of percussive dance includes, Old style Irish ( Sean Nos), Scottish, English, Tap, Clogging and Flatfooting (just to name a few).
agikovacs.com
Agi thinks it’s important to keep these traditions alive by making it accessible to all. She loves to teach and explore the connections between genres and her own connection to the music. Her versatile knowledge of percussive dance includes, Old style Irish ( Sean Nos), Scottish, English, Tap, Clogging and Flatfooting (just to name a few).
agikovacs.com
Donna Long
Donna was born in Los Angeles, California. When she was five years old, she began taking piano lessons with her father, Byron Long, a jazz/classical pianist who instilled in Donna a love for music. As a child, she was exposed to many different genres of music, including players from the old and new jazz eras, classical, Scottish, Indian, and African. In 1978, she moved to the Baltimore/Washington, DC, area and heard fiddler Brendan Mulvihill playing Irish music. He inspired her to pick up the fiddle and gave her a solid foundation in style and playing. She then began to accompany him on the piano, and now Donna is considered one of the finest pianists playing Irish music.
Along with Brendan Mulvihill, she has recorded two duet albums, The Steeplechase and The Morning Dew. A former member of the internationally-acclaimed Irish group Cherish the Ladies, she has recorded five CDs with them. In the year 2000, the Smithsonian Institution asked Donna to represent Irish Music in the series Piano Traditions, celebrating 300 years of the piano. Donna was also commissioned by the Library of Congress in 2001 to write a composition for fiddle and piano. She wrote a slow air called Before the Snow Falls, and a reel to accompany the air called Pandora's Box. These tunes were performed by Cherish the Ladies and can be found in the Library of Congress.
Along with Brendan Mulvihill, she has recorded two duet albums, The Steeplechase and The Morning Dew. A former member of the internationally-acclaimed Irish group Cherish the Ladies, she has recorded five CDs with them. In the year 2000, the Smithsonian Institution asked Donna to represent Irish Music in the series Piano Traditions, celebrating 300 years of the piano. Donna was also commissioned by the Library of Congress in 2001 to write a composition for fiddle and piano. She wrote a slow air called Before the Snow Falls, and a reel to accompany the air called Pandora's Box. These tunes were performed by Cherish the Ladies and can be found in the Library of Congress.
Ann Lynch Lyons
A native of County Meath, Ann Lynch Lyons grew up near Oldcastle in a family that was immersed in Irish traditional music and song. She has been singing from a very young age, learning songs from her late mother and uncles. Ann lived and worked in Dublin for many years, and was a regular attendee and performer at many of the singing and folk clubs at the time. She was a member of Craobh Naithí branch of CCE and was involved in the branch through singing and set dancing. She was also a member of the Slievenamon set dancers, under the leadership of the legendary Connie Ryan.
Ann moved to County Clare in 1994, where she became involved in traditional music and singing circles. In 2013, she released her debut album, Silvery Light. Also in 2013, she led a workshop at the DC-based CCE convention. She has also performed at festivals throughout Ireland, and in the US, UK, and France. She returns to DC this year to present another workshop, “Irish History Through Song.”
Ann moved to County Clare in 1994, where she became involved in traditional music and singing circles. In 2013, she released her debut album, Silvery Light. Also in 2013, she led a workshop at the DC-based CCE convention. She has also performed at festivals throughout Ireland, and in the US, UK, and France. She returns to DC this year to present another workshop, “Irish History Through Song.”
Sean McComiskey
Sean is among the most innovative young performers on the button accordion, with a unique harmonic style that has earned him a spot in the pantheon of Irish accordionists far beyond his native Baltimore. As the son of legendary button accordion player and National Heritage Fellow Billy McComiskey, Sean has been surrounded by Irish Traditional music his entire life and has developed a deep appreciation for the rich tradition of which he is a part.
This has helped Sean establish a reputation as a highly regarded teacher and promulgator of Irish music and earned him teaching positions with the Catskills Irish Arts Week, the Augusta Heritage Center’s Irish Arts Week, the Chris Langan Traditional Irish Music Weekend in Toronto, the CCE Musical Arts and Dance (MAD) Week in Washington, DC, the Baltimore Irish Arts Center, and the Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival.
Sean has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He's recorded albums and toured with groups like NicGaviskey, the Old Bay Ceili Band, and O'Malley's March.
In 2014, Sean formed the Baltimore-based acoustic roots group, Charm City Junction, with Patrick McAvinue on fiddle, Brad Kolodner on clawhammer banjo, and Alex Lacquement on upright bass. In 2015, they released their self-titled debut album and in 2016 were nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association's Band Momentum Award.
Most recently, Sean was featured on a new recording of traditional Irish set dances for listening and dancing called Cover the Buckle. The project is in collaboration with Kieran Jordan, a dancer and choreographer based in Boston, MA. The recording features Sean Clohessy on fiddle, Matt Mulqueen on piano, Josh Dukes on guitars, and steps from Kieran.
seanmccomiskey.com
This has helped Sean establish a reputation as a highly regarded teacher and promulgator of Irish music and earned him teaching positions with the Catskills Irish Arts Week, the Augusta Heritage Center’s Irish Arts Week, the Chris Langan Traditional Irish Music Weekend in Toronto, the CCE Musical Arts and Dance (MAD) Week in Washington, DC, the Baltimore Irish Arts Center, and the Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival.
Sean has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He's recorded albums and toured with groups like NicGaviskey, the Old Bay Ceili Band, and O'Malley's March.
In 2014, Sean formed the Baltimore-based acoustic roots group, Charm City Junction, with Patrick McAvinue on fiddle, Brad Kolodner on clawhammer banjo, and Alex Lacquement on upright bass. In 2015, they released their self-titled debut album and in 2016 were nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association's Band Momentum Award.
Most recently, Sean was featured on a new recording of traditional Irish set dances for listening and dancing called Cover the Buckle. The project is in collaboration with Kieran Jordan, a dancer and choreographer based in Boston, MA. The recording features Sean Clohessy on fiddle, Matt Mulqueen on piano, Josh Dukes on guitars, and steps from Kieran.
seanmccomiskey.com
Zan McLeod
Zan began playing music at the age of 14 in Charlotte, NC. His was influenced by his next-door neighbor, Fred Kirby, who played guitar and sang on local TV as a cowboy entertainer. Zan listened to his older friends in the Clanton Park neighborhood rehearse their rock band Die Hards and learned to play all the instrumentation by ear. He got his first Rickenbacker electric guitar for Christmas 1967 and the rest is history.
Zan’s professional career began in 1970 playing Pop Radio rock music. Salvation, Willie Tee & Skinny, and Hummingbird were Zan’s first bands. They opened in big arenas for groups such as The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Deep Purple, Poco, Johnny Winter and Black Sabbath. In 1975, his band Skylite Mission recorded their first album of original songs in Nashville.
His early forays into the Irish music scene began in 1979 when he and North Carolina singer/songwriter Mike Cross visited Nashville. On tour from his home in Chapel Hill, NC he met Triona NiDhomnaill, of the legendary Bothy Band, while recording in Nashville. Their musical chemistry inspired Triona and Zan to form the innovative and groundbreaking band Touchstone. For 5 years they recorded and toured together. Touchstone’s album The New Land won the NAIRD Award for best Indie album of 1981. Jealousy, Touchstone’s second album, was well received and both were on the Green Linnet Label.
In 1985 Zan’s electric roots called him back home and he further explored his love of the electric by playing reggae and Caribbean music. He toured and played with The Fun Addix until moving to Washington, DC in 1988.
Zan immediately took up the Irish reins and was a mainstay of the Washington, DC Irish music scene performing at Irish festivals, Ceili Club Events, CCE, Gaston Hall and Smithsonian. Zan accompanied the winners of The National Council for Traditional Arts; Donny Golden, Mick Maloney, Seamus Connolly, and Joe Derrane were at their award ceremonies as well as The Folk Masters at The Barns of Wolf Trap.
Zan was a contributing musician on the 1999 Grammy winning CD, Celtic Solstice by Paul Winter. In addition, he appeared on the Grammy nominated CD, Journey with the Sun by Paul Winter and The Long Journey Home by the Chieftains. Zan’s self-produced solo album, Highland Soul, won the Washington, DC WAMMIE Award for Best Album in 1994, inspiring him to pursue a simultaneous career as musician and audio engineer.
After graduating from the Omega School of Recording, he established his project studio Tonehouse Recording.
In addition to recording on over 200 CDs, Zan recorded several film soundtracks including: Edward Burns’ The Brothers McMullen, Ang Lee’s Ride with the Devil, Sam Shepard’s Far North, and James Horner’s Back to Titanic.
As a respected and experienced workshop leader and guitar instructor, Zan taught for 20 years at the Augusta Heritage Center’s Irish/Celtic Week , Boston College’s Gaelic Roots Program , McDaniel College’s Common Ground , Jerry Holland’s Ceili Trail School, and he was one of the founders of Warren Wilson College’s Swannanoa Gathering.
In 2001, Zan released the instructional video Learn to Play the Irish Bouzouki for Homespun Tapes. In 2008, Zan starred in Fire On The Mountain at the Arkansas Repertory Theater. The musical, an environmental, anti-coal mining work set in Appalachia, was a great success.
Zan won the Maryland State Arts Council’s Individual Artist Grant for composition in 2011, 2014 and 2017.
Zan has been a voting member of the GRAMMY’S (NARAS) since 1993.
zanmcleod.com
Zan’s professional career began in 1970 playing Pop Radio rock music. Salvation, Willie Tee & Skinny, and Hummingbird were Zan’s first bands. They opened in big arenas for groups such as The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Deep Purple, Poco, Johnny Winter and Black Sabbath. In 1975, his band Skylite Mission recorded their first album of original songs in Nashville.
His early forays into the Irish music scene began in 1979 when he and North Carolina singer/songwriter Mike Cross visited Nashville. On tour from his home in Chapel Hill, NC he met Triona NiDhomnaill, of the legendary Bothy Band, while recording in Nashville. Their musical chemistry inspired Triona and Zan to form the innovative and groundbreaking band Touchstone. For 5 years they recorded and toured together. Touchstone’s album The New Land won the NAIRD Award for best Indie album of 1981. Jealousy, Touchstone’s second album, was well received and both were on the Green Linnet Label.
In 1985 Zan’s electric roots called him back home and he further explored his love of the electric by playing reggae and Caribbean music. He toured and played with The Fun Addix until moving to Washington, DC in 1988.
Zan immediately took up the Irish reins and was a mainstay of the Washington, DC Irish music scene performing at Irish festivals, Ceili Club Events, CCE, Gaston Hall and Smithsonian. Zan accompanied the winners of The National Council for Traditional Arts; Donny Golden, Mick Maloney, Seamus Connolly, and Joe Derrane were at their award ceremonies as well as The Folk Masters at The Barns of Wolf Trap.
Zan was a contributing musician on the 1999 Grammy winning CD, Celtic Solstice by Paul Winter. In addition, he appeared on the Grammy nominated CD, Journey with the Sun by Paul Winter and The Long Journey Home by the Chieftains. Zan’s self-produced solo album, Highland Soul, won the Washington, DC WAMMIE Award for Best Album in 1994, inspiring him to pursue a simultaneous career as musician and audio engineer.
After graduating from the Omega School of Recording, he established his project studio Tonehouse Recording.
In addition to recording on over 200 CDs, Zan recorded several film soundtracks including: Edward Burns’ The Brothers McMullen, Ang Lee’s Ride with the Devil, Sam Shepard’s Far North, and James Horner’s Back to Titanic.
As a respected and experienced workshop leader and guitar instructor, Zan taught for 20 years at the Augusta Heritage Center’s Irish/Celtic Week , Boston College’s Gaelic Roots Program , McDaniel College’s Common Ground , Jerry Holland’s Ceili Trail School, and he was one of the founders of Warren Wilson College’s Swannanoa Gathering.
In 2001, Zan released the instructional video Learn to Play the Irish Bouzouki for Homespun Tapes. In 2008, Zan starred in Fire On The Mountain at the Arkansas Repertory Theater. The musical, an environmental, anti-coal mining work set in Appalachia, was a great success.
Zan won the Maryland State Arts Council’s Individual Artist Grant for composition in 2011, 2014 and 2017.
Zan has been a voting member of the GRAMMY’S (NARAS) since 1993.
zanmcleod.com
Brendan Mulvihill
Brendan's roots in Irish music run deep. Brendan's grandmother, Bridgid Mulvihill, nee Flynn, was a fiddler, and her brothers were all musicians as well. Brendan's father, the late National Heritage Fellow Martin Mulvihill of County Limerick, Ireland, was a renowned fiddle player and one of the most highly respected Irish music teachers in America.
Brendan immigrated to New York with his family in 1965. In the '70s he traveled to Ireland, playing throughout the country with his contemporaries and building a huge repertoire of tunes. Later, Brendan moved to Birmingham, England, where he played in céilidh bands and with the many Irish musicians who had also settled in the English Midlands. In 1975, Brendan returned to New York, where he soon began playing with accordion player Billy McComiskey and singer/guitarist Andy O'Brien. The three eventually made their way to Washington, DC, ostensibly for a week-long gig in The Dubliner pub as The Irish Tradition. The week turned into several years, and The Irish Tradition became a seminal influence in traditional music, helping to establish it as a permanent and integral part of Washington's musical fabric. After recording several albums, the Irish Tradition disbanded. Brendan remained in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area, using the region as a home base for his travels.
Micheál Ó Súilleabháin referred to Brendan as "a rare genius." This same thought has been shared by others, and that is why so many have sought him out as their teacher. Brendan has taught several rising young fiddle players in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area. Brendan received the Maryland Traditions Folk Arts and Culture Apprenticeship Award in 2005 and 2018 for teaching the art of traditional Irish music. He was inducted into the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Mid-Atlantic Region Hall of Fame in 2008. Brendan published his first tune book with a learning CD in 2013, Brendan Mulvihill’s Irish Scroll Volume One; it contains 93 tunes, mostly traditional tunes but also a few of his own compositions. In 2018 he released his first solo recording, The Journey, to share some tunes in Brendan’s playing style to help intermediate and advanced musicians learn to play traditional Irish music.
Brendan immigrated to New York with his family in 1965. In the '70s he traveled to Ireland, playing throughout the country with his contemporaries and building a huge repertoire of tunes. Later, Brendan moved to Birmingham, England, where he played in céilidh bands and with the many Irish musicians who had also settled in the English Midlands. In 1975, Brendan returned to New York, where he soon began playing with accordion player Billy McComiskey and singer/guitarist Andy O'Brien. The three eventually made their way to Washington, DC, ostensibly for a week-long gig in The Dubliner pub as The Irish Tradition. The week turned into several years, and The Irish Tradition became a seminal influence in traditional music, helping to establish it as a permanent and integral part of Washington's musical fabric. After recording several albums, the Irish Tradition disbanded. Brendan remained in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area, using the region as a home base for his travels.
Micheál Ó Súilleabháin referred to Brendan as "a rare genius." This same thought has been shared by others, and that is why so many have sought him out as their teacher. Brendan has taught several rising young fiddle players in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area. Brendan received the Maryland Traditions Folk Arts and Culture Apprenticeship Award in 2005 and 2018 for teaching the art of traditional Irish music. He was inducted into the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Mid-Atlantic Region Hall of Fame in 2008. Brendan published his first tune book with a learning CD in 2013, Brendan Mulvihill’s Irish Scroll Volume One; it contains 93 tunes, mostly traditional tunes but also a few of his own compositions. In 2018 he released his first solo recording, The Journey, to share some tunes in Brendan’s playing style to help intermediate and advanced musicians learn to play traditional Irish music.
Laurence Nugent
Laurence “...is one of Irish music’s recognized master musicians,”--Irish Music Magazine.
Traditional music circles know Laurence from his extensive touring, performing worldwide with Ireland’s finest musicians and from his critically acclaimed CDs: Laurence Nugent, Two For Two, and The Windy Gap, where he was joined by Irish music legends like Kevin Burke, Martin Hayes, Liz Carroll, Arty McGlynn, etc. Laurence is also well acquainted with the competitive side of things, having won his fair share of the prizes on the flute and tin whistle in both junior and senior divisions at the Fleadh Cheoil.
“Nugent plays ages-old reels, jigs and hornpipes with amazing speed and dexterity, but what really sets him apart is his innate lyricism.”--The Chicago Tribune
Traditional music circles know Laurence from his extensive touring, performing worldwide with Ireland’s finest musicians and from his critically acclaimed CDs: Laurence Nugent, Two For Two, and The Windy Gap, where he was joined by Irish music legends like Kevin Burke, Martin Hayes, Liz Carroll, Arty McGlynn, etc. Laurence is also well acquainted with the competitive side of things, having won his fair share of the prizes on the flute and tin whistle in both junior and senior divisions at the Fleadh Cheoil.
“Nugent plays ages-old reels, jigs and hornpipes with amazing speed and dexterity, but what really sets him apart is his innate lyricism.”--The Chicago Tribune
Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band
Manhattan native John Reynolds is most often heard playing the fiddle with his wife, Bronx born flute and whistle player Margie Mulvihill, in the “Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band.” For many years they both had successful musical careers, but recently they have been performing for festivals and are a very popular ceili band in the New York Tri-state area known for their lively and rhythmic percussive style, perfect for dancing.
John was sent for classical violin lessons at the age of five. His mother, Eileen (from near Grange, Co. Sligo) had played the fiddle as a child. Although his father, Paul (a Boornacoola, Co. Leitrim footballer), did not play an instrument, he was very fond of traditional music and was a good whistler. After a few years of classical music, John's mother sent him for Irish music lessons to the late Roscommon accordionist John Glynn, who was teaching in the neighborhood. Right from the start, John took an interest in the music and spent countless hours growing up listening to Sean McGuire’s recordings and also those of Andy McGann and Paddy Reynolds.
After Glynn’s untimely passing in 1971, John was sent to study with Pete Kelly. There, John was an early member of the Shannonaires, a ceili band that Pete taught and trained which competed in fleadh cheoils and toured in Ireland in the early 1970s. Influenced by Sean McGuire’s recordings and Pete Kelly’s teaching and encouragement, John won third place in the 1972 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Listowal, Co. Kerry. Throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, John played music for dancing competitions at the feiseana in the northeast, most often playing with Pete Kelly or Paddy Reynolds.
In the early 1980s, John started an almost 20 year association with Dublin-born ballad singer Michael Jesse Owens – a gig that started out by filling in for box-player John Nolan, who had been a fellow John Glynn student. Aside from playing lively trad music with Jesse’s band, John developed his skills for backing up Irish and folk ballads and songs of all types. Those skills have been for many years – and still are – in demand in the ballad and showband scene around New York, and John often has been be heard accompanying singers like Guss Hayes, Kitty Kelly, Mike Byrne, Tom Birmingham, and John Morrison.
Margie Mulvihill is a wonderful whistle and flute player. Her parents both hail from County Kerry, the region in Ireland known for it’s wonderful polkas and slides. Margie started Irish dancing at a young age, training with her uncle, famed Irish dance instructor Jerry Mulvihill. She also took music lessons from the great Martin Mulvihill and played in his All-Ireland champion band, The Glinside Ceili band. Margie is the mother of four musical children, Erin Loughran (a fine fiddler who was the New York Rose of Tralee and music teacher), Blaithin Loughran (accordion player and member of Girsa), Neidin Loughran (whistle, guitar, song) and John Paul Reynolds who is 9 and playing mandolin.
The family was recently featured on the HBO series “The Music in Me.” Margie and John enjoy the exchange of energy between themselves and the set dancers and know how to get the dancers and crowd going! And in recent years, Margie has taken up the role of tradition bearer as she has taught dozens of children to play music in the well-known Irish enclave of Pearl River, New York.
Before starting up The Pride of Moyvane, Margie was a member of the fabulous traditional music and singing group, Morning Star.
John was sent for classical violin lessons at the age of five. His mother, Eileen (from near Grange, Co. Sligo) had played the fiddle as a child. Although his father, Paul (a Boornacoola, Co. Leitrim footballer), did not play an instrument, he was very fond of traditional music and was a good whistler. After a few years of classical music, John's mother sent him for Irish music lessons to the late Roscommon accordionist John Glynn, who was teaching in the neighborhood. Right from the start, John took an interest in the music and spent countless hours growing up listening to Sean McGuire’s recordings and also those of Andy McGann and Paddy Reynolds.
After Glynn’s untimely passing in 1971, John was sent to study with Pete Kelly. There, John was an early member of the Shannonaires, a ceili band that Pete taught and trained which competed in fleadh cheoils and toured in Ireland in the early 1970s. Influenced by Sean McGuire’s recordings and Pete Kelly’s teaching and encouragement, John won third place in the 1972 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Listowal, Co. Kerry. Throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, John played music for dancing competitions at the feiseana in the northeast, most often playing with Pete Kelly or Paddy Reynolds.
In the early 1980s, John started an almost 20 year association with Dublin-born ballad singer Michael Jesse Owens – a gig that started out by filling in for box-player John Nolan, who had been a fellow John Glynn student. Aside from playing lively trad music with Jesse’s band, John developed his skills for backing up Irish and folk ballads and songs of all types. Those skills have been for many years – and still are – in demand in the ballad and showband scene around New York, and John often has been be heard accompanying singers like Guss Hayes, Kitty Kelly, Mike Byrne, Tom Birmingham, and John Morrison.
Margie Mulvihill is a wonderful whistle and flute player. Her parents both hail from County Kerry, the region in Ireland known for it’s wonderful polkas and slides. Margie started Irish dancing at a young age, training with her uncle, famed Irish dance instructor Jerry Mulvihill. She also took music lessons from the great Martin Mulvihill and played in his All-Ireland champion band, The Glinside Ceili band. Margie is the mother of four musical children, Erin Loughran (a fine fiddler who was the New York Rose of Tralee and music teacher), Blaithin Loughran (accordion player and member of Girsa), Neidin Loughran (whistle, guitar, song) and John Paul Reynolds who is 9 and playing mandolin.
The family was recently featured on the HBO series “The Music in Me.” Margie and John enjoy the exchange of energy between themselves and the set dancers and know how to get the dancers and crowd going! And in recent years, Margie has taken up the role of tradition bearer as she has taught dozens of children to play music in the well-known Irish enclave of Pearl River, New York.
Before starting up The Pride of Moyvane, Margie was a member of the fabulous traditional music and singing group, Morning Star.
Pádraig and Róisín
Pádraig and Róisín are among the most popular and sought-after Set Dance Masters on the Irish dance scene. They have been involved with CCE for many years and have featured in concerts and Ceili House recording since the first moving to Co. Louth when they got married in 1991. Pádraig hails from South Armagh, and Róisín from Dublin, but together they make their home in Annagassan and have been dancing together since they met in 1989. Indeed, it was through dancing that they first met, when mutual friends paired them together as the “perfect couple” on and off the dance floor.
Both of them studied Irish Dancing as children, but when they met legendary set dance Master Connie Ryan, they both were hooked on the Traditional Sets of Ireland. They were members of the Slievenamon Set Dancers who toured throughout the United States in 1988 and 1991. They have also performed at various functions and numerous television programs including the “Come Dance with me in Ireland” series of videos. They have produced two DVD/CD packages entitled “The Full Set” 1&2 with their group “Faoi Do Chois” (On your feet). They continue to teach weekly classes and workshops throughout Ireland and also have held master classes in the USA, UK, Italy, France, Dubai, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Corsica and many other locations around the World. During the Covid Pandemic Padraig continued to reach out and encourage dancers through his online “Steps for Sets” zoom classes. Róisín and Pádraig are delighted to be back teaching in person as Set Dancing is a distinctly social activity and is wonderful to be sharing the fun with dancers once again!
Together they composed the Merchant Set, dedicated to their long-time friend Ned O’Shea, owner of the Merchant Pub in Dublin, where they taught classes for many years. The Merchant Set was recently voted the most popular set in an online poll. They also composed the CroisLoch Set dedicated to Pádraig’s parents from Crossmaglen and Camlough in Co. Armagh. Pádraig’s mother, born in 1933, still dances regularly. Pádraig and Róisín are known for their fancy footwork and attention to detail in maintaining the special features of each individual set. They cater for dancers of all ages and abilities in a relaxed and friendly manner.
Both of them studied Irish Dancing as children, but when they met legendary set dance Master Connie Ryan, they both were hooked on the Traditional Sets of Ireland. They were members of the Slievenamon Set Dancers who toured throughout the United States in 1988 and 1991. They have also performed at various functions and numerous television programs including the “Come Dance with me in Ireland” series of videos. They have produced two DVD/CD packages entitled “The Full Set” 1&2 with their group “Faoi Do Chois” (On your feet). They continue to teach weekly classes and workshops throughout Ireland and also have held master classes in the USA, UK, Italy, France, Dubai, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Corsica and many other locations around the World. During the Covid Pandemic Padraig continued to reach out and encourage dancers through his online “Steps for Sets” zoom classes. Róisín and Pádraig are delighted to be back teaching in person as Set Dancing is a distinctly social activity and is wonderful to be sharing the fun with dancers once again!
Together they composed the Merchant Set, dedicated to their long-time friend Ned O’Shea, owner of the Merchant Pub in Dublin, where they taught classes for many years. The Merchant Set was recently voted the most popular set in an online poll. They also composed the CroisLoch Set dedicated to Pádraig’s parents from Crossmaglen and Camlough in Co. Armagh. Pádraig’s mother, born in 1933, still dances regularly. Pádraig and Róisín are known for their fancy footwork and attention to detail in maintaining the special features of each individual set. They cater for dancers of all ages and abilities in a relaxed and friendly manner.
Kate Spanos
Kate is a dancer and dance scholar from Washington, DC, with a Ph.D. in dance and performance studies from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in traditional Irish dance performance from the University of Limerick (UL). She started dancing at the CCÉ céilís in 1990 and the O’Neill-James School of Irish Dance in 1992, going on to dance at the World Championships in 2000.
She has studied a wide variety of Irish dance styles, including competition/feis style, sean nós, old-style step dance, Molyneaux style from North Kerry, and festival style from Northern Ireland. Notable teachers include Laureen O’Neill-James, Carmel O’Rourke-Tighe, Catherine Foley, Michael Ryan, Breandán de Gallaí, Jonathan Kelliher, Jimmy Smith, Padraig O hOibicin, Máire Áine Ní Iarnáin, Ruth Long, and Lauren Smyth.
She teaches Irish and Brazilian dance in the DC area and also calls céilí dances regularly. In 2021 she received a Folklife Apprenticeship Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council to teach Irish dance to percussive dancer Becky Hill. She is co-founder and board president of EducArte, an arts education non-profit in College Park. For more about Kate, visit www.thekatespanos.com.
She has studied a wide variety of Irish dance styles, including competition/feis style, sean nós, old-style step dance, Molyneaux style from North Kerry, and festival style from Northern Ireland. Notable teachers include Laureen O’Neill-James, Carmel O’Rourke-Tighe, Catherine Foley, Michael Ryan, Breandán de Gallaí, Jonathan Kelliher, Jimmy Smith, Padraig O hOibicin, Máire Áine Ní Iarnáin, Ruth Long, and Lauren Smyth.
She teaches Irish and Brazilian dance in the DC area and also calls céilí dances regularly. In 2021 she received a Folklife Apprenticeship Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council to teach Irish dance to percussive dancer Becky Hill. She is co-founder and board president of EducArte, an arts education non-profit in College Park. For more about Kate, visit www.thekatespanos.com.
John Whelan
Often hailed as one of the world’s best living Irish button accordion players, seven-time All-Ireland champion John 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 the “Musician of the Year” award from the Irish Music Association — twice. He has recorded more than 15 CDs and spent several weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard World Music Charts. He has also appeared on more than 30 albums with other artists, including the National Geographic: Ireland CD. John is known for being extraordinarily generous with his music and possesses a rare knack for mentoring and teaching, spotting talent in fledgling musicians — no matter the instrument — and helping them grow to their fullest potential.
John is also a sought-after composer and producer. He has written more than 65 original tunes, many of which have been recorded and performed by artists all over the world. John’s music has been featured on such TV shows as Sex and the City, History’s Mysteries, and History Detectives, and John himself has performed on Late Night With Conan O’Brien and in the movies Gods and Generals and Ang Lee’s Ride With the Devil.
John has received the “Musician of the Year” award from the Irish Music Association — twice. He has recorded more than 15 CDs and spent several weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard World Music Charts. He has also appeared on more than 30 albums with other artists, including the National Geographic: Ireland CD. John is known for being extraordinarily generous with his music and possesses a rare knack for mentoring and teaching, spotting talent in fledgling musicians — no matter the instrument — and helping them grow to their fullest potential.
John is also a sought-after composer and producer. He has written more than 65 original tunes, many of which have been recorded and performed by artists all over the world. John’s music has been featured on such TV shows as Sex and the City, History’s Mysteries, and History Detectives, and John himself has performed on Late Night With Conan O’Brien and in the movies Gods and Generals and Ang Lee’s Ride With the Devil.