Eileen Ivers, Universal Roots

Grammy awarded, Emmy nominated, London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, guest starred with over 50 orchestras, original Musical Star of Riverdance, Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, Sting, Hall and Oates, The Chieftains, ‘Fiddlers 3’ with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Regina Carter, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, Steve Gadd, founding member of Cherish the Ladies, movie soundtracks including “Gangs of New York”, performed for Presidents and Royalty worldwide…this is a short list of accomplishments, headliners, tours, and affiliations. Fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today.

www.eileenivers.com

The Brigideens

The Brigideens, a brand-new powerhouse, fiery female band came together as a group of talented musicians and singers from the Celtic and Americana traditions to perform in honor of St. Brigid, the beloved patron and mother saint of Ireland. The name Brigid means “fiery arrow” and this ensemble takes inspiration from her.

Led by Grammy awarded, Emmy-nominated, 9-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, Eileen Ivers, Eileen formed the group to showcase the mighty dimension of talent in today’s female artists. Native New Yorkers, Caitlin Maloney is featured on lead vocals, and Hilary Hawke on 5-string banjo, bass, clarinet, spoons and background vocals. Hilary was featured in the Tony award winning Broadway musical, “Oklahoma”. Boston-based Irish flute player, singer, composer Shannon Heaton has a passion for performing and teaching Irish music. In her duo with guitarist Matt Heaton and with her Irish Music Stories podcast, Shannon has made traditional Irish music accessible for many. Anna Colliton, a Chicago native, is a master of the bodhran, the traditional Irish frame drum. Anna teaches nationwide and has performed with many top traditional music groups including Cherish the Ladies. Rounding out the ensemble from Maryland is guitarist and vocalist, Colin Forhan, who also plays tenor banjo and concertina. Colin performs double duty as a member of Eileen Ivers and Universal Roots.

www.eileenivers.com

The Bow Tides

The Bow Tides is an all female-fronted Traditional Irish Folk band featuring three fiddlers, Ellery Klein, Jessie Burns and champion Irish dancer Katie Grennan.
Formed during the pandemic, these dynamic women, from three different states were commissioned to produce on-line concerts for Spanish Peaks Irish Festival and Pittsburgh Irish Festival.  Garnering rave reviews, and just one year later, they hit the main stage at Pittsburgh Irish Festival, debuting their unique collaboration of stunning original compositions rich harmonies and driving traditional tunes, song and Irish dance arranged for three fiddles, guitar and double bass. Most recently, The Bow Tides performed for the nationally broadcast St Brigid’s Day Concert presented by the Association of Irish and Celtic Festivals in February of 2022.
As well as being veterans individually of the main stage, with decades of teaching, performing and touring behind them, these former and current Gaelic Storm Fiddlers also collectively run the online International Fiddle School, “Fiddle Frenzy” with Winifred Horan (Solas) and thus are very experienced and sought after workshop instructors with a wide following.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBowTides

RUNA

Celebrating 14 years together as a band, Celtic-American Roots music “super group”, RUNA, continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.
RUNA will be collecting socks at the entertainer merchandise tent during their performances in support of the RUNA‘s Rockin’ Sock Collection. All of the collected socks go to local shelters and organizations supporting families and individuals with housing insecurities and financial difficulties.

Ally the Piper

Ally is a multi-instrumentalist out of New York. She specializes in celtic instrumentation, such as the Highland Bagpipe, Scottish Smallpipe, Irish whistles, and vocals. At age 16 Ally became a world champion performing on the Highland Bagpipe, and holds several domestic and international titles. Ally has a Bachelor’s Degree in music from Penn West, where she triple focused in Bagpipe, Vocal, and Piano performance. She performs professionally, and virtually through her various social media platforms where she has amassed nearly two million followers, making her the most followed bagpiper on the internet.

https://www.instagram.com/piper.ally/

Bell School of Irish Dance

www.bellschool.com

Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance

shovlinacademy.com