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 Kieran O’Hare.
Moving to the vibrant New York City Irish scene at age 18 helped Isaac refine his playing to a new level. In 2002, Isaac won the All-Ireland Senior Championships on all THREE instruments in which he entered (uilleann pipes, flute, whistle), being the first American to ever win for pipes or flute!
As a touring musician, Isaac has performed with the likes of Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, Runa, Celtic Crossroads, Téada, Bua, and Jameson’s Revenge. He has also done stints with the high profile shows Riverdance and Celtic Woman, as well as performed in the pit orchestra for Sting’s Broadway musical, The Last Ship. Isaac is currently going full steam with his group projects including The Bronx Boys, Ensemble Galilei, Comas, and the critically acclaimed band, The Yanks.
As a teacher, Isaac has led workshops in flute, whistle, and uilleann pipes at the Great Northern Irish Pipers’ Club tionól, the St. Louis Tionól, the Re-Jigged Festival in Nova Scotia, the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat in Texas, MAD Week in the D.C. area, the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival in Canada, Common Ground in Maryland, the Corofin Trad Fest in Co. Clare, and also has led small workshops for students in Rio Negro and Villa de Leyva, Colombia. He also teaches private lessons online and in person to students of all levels.
2016 will be his debut at Portal Irish Music Week, and we’re excited to have him join the family!