Staff bios
We’re pleased to announce a new addition to the PIMW Family, as Johnny B Connolly has agreed to teach button accordion! Johnny B. Connolly was born and raised in Dublin, and has been immersed in Irish traditional music since he was eight years old. By the age of 15 he Read more…
Originally hailing from Chicago, Isaac discovered Irish traditional music early in life. Picking up the uilleann pipes, whistle and flute as a teenager, Isaac studied for years under the tutelage of the great flute and whistle player, Laurence Nugent, as well as pipers such as Al Purcell, Patrick Cannady, and Read more…
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 the renowned fiddler (and Portal Irish Week tutor) Brian Conway, attend many festivals and concerts, and win the Mid Atlantic Fleadh in every Read more…
Having spent his entire adult life being involved in music, from playing and promoting, to teaching, Pete Strickler finally found exactly what he was looking for when he was first introduced to Irish Traditional Music in his 30s. In 2006, Pete took over the reins of leading the Small Circle Read more…
Forty years ago, when Marla got bit by the Irish music bug, her late grandfather’s mandolin was the instrument that found its way into her hands, and soon into her heart. It has been her primary instrument and partner ever since. She has become one of the prominent voices of Read more…
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, Brian’s early studies were with his father Read more…
Matt Heaton is the son of noted organist/composer Charles Heaton, who instilled in Matt a love of music from an early age. His earliest exposure to Irish music was through an unlabeled cassette tape which contained “The Planxty Collection.” His search for more led him to the vibrant Chicago session Read more…