2012 CELTIC COLLEGE TEACHER BIOGRAPHIES *teachers and groups are listed in alphabetical order* Isaac Alderson – Int/Adv Irish Flute, Beg 2 Flute/Whistle, Irish Ensemble with Comas All-Ireland Senior Champion on three instruments: uilleann pipes, flute and whistle. Now residing in New York, he has played throughout the northeast and across the country with a wide range of traditional and modern trad music artists. Isaac Alderson began pursuing the craft of Irish traditional music at the age of 13 in his home city of Chicago. Throughout his teenage years he had the good fortune to study with Fermanagh flute and whistle master Laurence Nugent, and took piping lessons periodically with Al Purcell, Kieran O'Hare, and Jerry O'Sullivan, among others. www.isaacalderson.com Rachel Aucoin – Quebec Song, Quebec Piano Accompaniment, Quebec Ensemble with Raz de Maree After a frankly classical training including two Masters degrees (performance - UM 2001 and piano pedagogy - UL, 2003), two first prizes at the Canadian Music Competition (1997 and 1998) and a solo performance of Beethoven's second with the Orchestre Symphonique de la Montérégie (1997), Rachel Aucoin specialises today in folk music accompaniment, since her first appearance at the Carrefour Mondial de l'Accordéon in 1999. www.tidalwavemusic.com Qristina Bachand - Fiddle Qristina Bachand is an expressive fiddler, with a unique personal style that is bold & edgy. Though strongly rooted in the Celtic tradition, her versatility and interests also include Old-Time, Appalachian, Swing and contemporary folk music. Qristina‘s personal fiddling style reflects her varied musical interests and the many international coaches with whom she has studied. Clearly at ease on stage, Qristina is a natural performer, consistently delivering a spirited performance that features her energy, enthusiasm and love of Celtic music www.qbachand.com Quinn Bachand - Guitar Victoria born Quinn Bachand already has a reputation as "one of the best Celtic guitar accompanists in the world" (Ashley MacIsaac). Although Quinn plays a range of styles including gypsy-jazz, it is his talents in the world of Celtic music that are drawing the most attention. A focused and intense musician, Quinn has the unique ability to bring out the best in each tune. Quinn adds a contemporary edge to traditional Celtic music; his hard-driving strumming, inventive chord voicing and powerful rhythmic effects make even the most well-worn tunes seem new and exciting. www.qbachand.com Aidan Burke – Fiddle, Irish Ensemble with Comas Born of Sligo and Tipperary parents Aidan was brought up in the Irish culture of music song and dance, he was playing and dancing at an early age – the drums at 2 years, dancing at 5 years. Having Kevin Burke (Fiddle player in The Bothy Band, Patrick Street and Open House.) as a first cousin he was destined to play the fiddle and started at 8 years. Aidan has won twenty 1st place titles and as many 2nd and 3rds on his main instruments between The Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine and Fleadh na hEireann. www.aidanburke.com Jake Charron – Piano, Ontario Ensemble Jake Charron is continuing to build a reputation as one of Canada‘s finest accompanists for fiddle music. He has become a much sought-after musician for traditional styles, playing piano and guitar with artists across Canada and the United States. www.jakecharron.com Max Cohen – Guitar Max Cohen‘s natural humility belies his amazing talent. An accomplished guitarist, Max is capable of playing with tremendous sensitivity as well as driving rhythmic power. As an accompanist, his approach is appropriate for the music, and his attention to detail sets him apart from the herd. His original melodies shine with elegant simplicity and his spacious arrangements leave room for the listener. www.fiddlingdemystified.com/home/max Comas - Irish Ensemble Although coming from diverse musical backgrounds, and residing in different parts of the globe, Comas found each other in their similar approach to music, bringing together their many cultural influences to forge a unique blend of traditional Irish music that literally had them, within months of coming together, playing on major Festivals in Ireland/ Belgium/France/ England/ Denmark/ Holland. When you hear Comas you'll know that their choice of name was no mere coincidence, translating from Irish Gaelic as ―power‖. And power is exactly what this band is about. Depicting their own driving power coupled with a fine sensitivity for the inner strands of magic that is inherent in Irish music. www.comasmusic.com Shane Cook – Fiddle, Ontario Ensemble Shane Cook "rates at the top of the short list of the finest fiddlers in the world today," says the Canadian Fiddlers' Hall of Fame. Shane has distinguished himself as a master of an array of fiddle styles and is a multiple winner of the Canadian Open, Canadian Grand Masters, and US Grand National Fiddle Championships. www.shanecook.com Shane Cook and Jake Charron - Ontario Ensemble Shane Cook "rates at the top of the short list of the finest fiddlers in the world today," says the Canadian Fiddlers' Hall of Fame. Shane has distinguished himself as a master of an array of fiddle styles and is a multiple winner of the Canadian Open, Canadian Grand Masters, and US Grand National Fiddle Championships. Jake Charron is continuing to build a reputation as one of Canada‘s finest accompanists for fiddle music. He has become a much sought-after musician for traditional styles, playing piano and guitar with artists across Canada and the United States. www.shanecook.com www.jakecharron.com Catherine Crowe – Copper Enamelling It is my belief that art, like music, can build cultural community rather than foster elitism. By changing our relationship to modern artifacts we can come to a better understanding of our past, and consequently, our relationship with each other. Each piece has its own story, informed by research in early history, archaeology, anthropology and folklore. My vision is to mirror the past, and speak to the present through ancient symbols. My love affair with Irish Culture began with an interest in traditional singing, which I still pursue. I have recorded two critically acclaimed albums and played at major folk and Celtic Festivals across North America, but my favourite place to sing in still in the kitchen with a few like-minded friends. www.imagocorvi.com Cupola – Morris Dance, English Vocal Harmony CUPOLA brings together Sarah Matthews, Doug Eunson and Oli Matthews as a three-piece band, playing English and European dance music, and singing English songs in three-part harmony. Melodeons, fiddles, viola, soprano saxophone, vocals, clarinet and hurdy-gurdy combine effortlessly with sublime harmonies. The choice of material is inspired by tradition and contemporary works alike, with the emphasis on great melodies and intricate arrangements. www.myspace.com/cupolafolk Fionan de Barra – Guitar, Bodhran, Contemporary Celtic Ensemble Fionan started playing guitar professionally with Riverdance in the USA in 1999. Since then he has worked as musical director for Moya Brennan (of Clannad) and her band. He performed, co-wrote, arranged and recorded songs for her albums, and co-wrote music with her for the film ‗To end all wars‘ (2001). He has performed with Solas, Eileen Ivers, Camille O'Sullivan, Zoe Conway, Catriona McKay, Tommy Fleming, Francis Black, Damien Dempsey, Rodrigo y Gabriella, and Galldubh. www.runamusic.com Christina Dolphin – Flute, Whistle, Irish Repertoire for Ensemble Christina is a flute player from Dublin. After starting the tin whistle at the age of 7, she then progressed to the flute, fiddle and classical piano. She has All-Ireland and Oireachtas titles on both flute and tin whistle; and received honours in grade 8 piano with the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She has toured extensively with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann around Ireland, the UK, the USA, Canada and China. She has taught and performed at various festivals in Ireland around Europe, including Scoil Eigse at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Cavan, Le Bono Winterschool in Brittany, and Busto International Folk Festival in Italy. Christina also holds a diploma in teaching traditional music (TTCT) which she received from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann in 2008. www.myspace.com/christinadolphin Doug Eunson – Melodeon, Morris Dance, English Vocal Harmony CUPOLA brings together Sarah Matthews, Doug Eunson and Oli Matthews as a three-piece band, playing English and European dance music, and singing English songs in three-part harmony. Melodeons, fiddles, viola, soprano saxophone, vocals, clarinet and hurdy-gurdy combine effortlessly with sublime harmonies. The choice of material is inspired by tradition and contemporary works alike, with the emphasis on great melodies and intricate arrangements. www.myspace.com/cupolafolk Daoiri Farrell – Bouzouki, Song, Irish Repertoire for Ensemble Daoirí Farrell is a folk singer and bouzouki, guitar and banjo player from Dublin who is a graduate of the Ceoltoir, Higher National Diploma In Traditional Music Performance course in BCFE, and is currently studying for his B.A. (Hons) in Applied Music in DKIT. In 2009 he toured Germany with the Irish Spring tour as a solo artist. His influences are Andy Irvine, Christy Moore & Frank Harte. www.daoiri.com Eric Favreau – Quebec Fiddle, Quebec Ensemble with Raz de Maree Éric Favreau comes from a family of traditional musicians and has spent a great deal of time playing with other fiddlers, learning their repertoire and studying their varied styles. Éric has explored and exploited various sources including archives and personally made field recordings and has accumulated a rich and fascinating repertoire. Over the years, he has garnered a profound understanding and vast knowledge of Québécois traditional music. www.tidalwavemusic.com Sheila Graziano – Percussive Step Dance Smitten with the art of traditional dance, Sheila devotes much of her time to continually developing her skills and knowledge of traditional dance, including Appalachian, Canadian, Celtic-inspired and historic American dance steps.