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New York born fiddler Brian Conway is a leading exponent of the highly 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!
A San Francisco native, Marla has become one of the prominent voices of the mandolin in Irish music. She brings a musicality not often heard on mandolin. Her dynamic playing can be heard with Three Mile Stone, Noctambule, and as a duo with Jimmy Crowley.
Irish flute player/singer Shannon Heaton honed her traditional style at countless music sessions in Chicago, Ireland, and Boston. With guitarist-husband Matt Heaton, she has performed original and traditional Irish music to audiences on four continents.
Marty is a multi-instrumentalist and singer playing Irish music for nearly 30 years, primarily on bouzouki. He is also a masterful singer. Marty's playing combines a keen melodic sensibility with rhythmic brilliance, and is steeped in texture.
As well as being one of the founders and music director of Portal Irish Music Week, Pete has two albums out: Giotár, on tenor guitar and his most recent banjo album, Some Assembly Required, featuring 11 different players!
Fiddler and concertinist Colin Lindsay was introduced to Irish music as a child growing up in New York, where he had the good fortune to learn from our own Brian Conway. Colin has won the Mid Atlantic Fleadh in every age category over twelve!
"Thank you for five wonderful days of music, learning sessions and the opportunity to meet so many friendly and talented musicians. Your planning of this event was AMAZING and SO WELL put together.
The beauty of the Portal location with the hiking, wildlife and weather was perfect.
I was a bit afraid to come out alone and yet you made me feel so welcome and my first experience of a music camp a delightful and unforgettable experience."
"This was my first “music camp” but I’m convinced that I got really lucky and fell into a great camp on my first try … and undoubtedly this camp is the one with the most personable and capable directors and instructors! The warm, relaxed, and informal atmosphere of this camp was just a wonderful experience for me.
And to paraphrase Brian’s comments Tuesday evening, I can’t imagine a greater place in the country to hold such a camp. It is a truly unique setting.
"The informal lectures from the staff were exceptional. I managed to attend most of them, and I really appreciated having the opportunity to get to know the outstanding instructors and to learn more about the culture, the music, the theory, etc. All these things add dimension to the music, context to the enjoyment. The informality was key. I don’t think a formal presentation would have been as successful.
Thank you again for this amazing opportunity. As far as I’m concerned, you have had another incredible success. I am so grateful for your hard work, thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and especially that it all comes so obviously from your hearts and souls."