CelticFest Performer Bios

With Jennie Bice on fiddle

Paul has spent most of his life playing music of one type or another. Growing up in a musical family saw him learning piano at an early age and playing brass instruments during his high school years in Hamilton, Ont. After finishing a music degree he moved to Vancouver in 1979 where he discovered Irish music, first playing guitar, then adding Whistle and Bodhran to an increasing variety of instruments. There were many years playing in the sessions around Vancouver before taking a break from the pub scene and changing the musical focus slightly. Paul sang with The Vancouver Chorale for many years, sang with the Amabilis singers and Co-directed a children's choir, The Westcoast Youth Ensemble, with Mya, his wife.

In 1994, Paul completed a diploma in Music Therapy at Capilano College in North Vancouver and worked as a Music Therapist at Chilliwack General Hospital working in the Extended, Intermediate and Palliative Care programs for many years. He is very much involved in the Celtic Music scene in the Vancouver area directly involved in two bands, Copper Sky and the Vancouver Squid Jiggers, and also doing some solo performing as well.

Fiddle player Jennie Bice came to Vancouver in search of other musicians driven enough to play the speed she wanted, and bold enough to try some of her ideas. Jennie's various recordings and concerts span many genres along with Celtic styles, including Cuban, Latin, jazz, rockabilly, classical, country, and Cajun, among others, which account for her unique playing style. Jennie has performed with Tim Readman, Fear of Drinking, Prydwen and Mad Pudding and is currently in Copper Sky with Paul.

www.bcmusicman.ca

The harp, one of the world’s most ancient instruments, sparkles beneath the fingers of this young, award-winning harpist whose specialty is music springing from Scottish and Irish traditions. Canadian-Celtic harpist Alys Howe has appeared as a performer and recording artist throughout Canada, Scotland, and Ireland. Her debut CD Phosphorescence combines innovative arrangements of traditional tunes, new compositions, and songs in both Scots and Gaelic.

Alys Howe is unique among Celtic harpists in North America. Alys was the first overseas harp student accepted to the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where she studied Scottish harp and Gaelic song traditions for over a year. Devoting another year to study in Ireland, Alys received her Masters degree in Performance of Traditional Irish Music from the University of Limerick. Not content with studying where the harp has come from, Alys is also fascinated by where the harp is going today. Currently immersing herself in the musical dialects of Cape Breton, incorporating Jazz and Ragtime influences, Alys is dedicated to weaving three strands from the Celtic traditions into her own contemporary soundscape.

Demonstrating her masterful understanding of the techniques developing among contemporary harp players, Alys has won awards of distinction including two Mod Gold-Medals, The Watkins Fellowship, and grants from the Canada Council for the Arts. A dedicated teacher and tradition-bearer, Alys shares her love of the harp with students world-wide. Exploring her instrument with passionate energy and dexterity, the music of Alys Howe will open your ears to the diverse contemporary sounds of the harp.

www.alyshowe.com

Craig McGregor is an accomplished and dynamic guitarist who can play in any number of styles. He has honed his Celtic guitar chops with artists such as the Sabir Sisters, The Tiller's Folly and Tim Readman. Craig is currently a member of Mad Tradition with Roxanna Sabir and an in demand teacher at Celtic music workshops and events

www.myspace.com/craigmcgregorroxannasabir

Paul O'Brien, born in Birmingham, England to Irish parents, has always been involved in Irish music, as a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. Paul, plays the guitar, bouzouki and bodhran, and has recorded over 20 albums. His new album, “Plastic” has just been released.

In 2009, in addition to his workshop and performing at Edgewater Casino CelticFest Vancouver, Paul will be touring the British Isles and Europe.

www.paulobrien.ca

myspace.com/paulobriensongs

Mary Ross, accordionist and instructor, resides in Victoria, British Columbia.

She has been involved with music and dancing since the age of five. Mary’s Scottish heritage contributes to her strong ties to Celtic Music. She provides music for Scottish Country Dances, Workshops, Ceilidhs and weddings in the Pacific Northwest.

On the Irish Scene, she is known as a Feis musician, travelling throughout North America, providing music at competitions for dancers of all ages and categories. On the entertainment scene, Mary accompanies Scottish vocalist, musician, comedian George McDowall. This duo has performed throughout Canada, USA, and was invited to Greenland in 1986.

Mary has made recordings with Will Millar of the Irish Rovers as well as George McDowall and Irish vocalist Sheila Ryan.

In addition to performing, Mary has taught accordion lessons privately and in the public schools. She was a guest instructor at the Celtic Summer School in Sechelt and has adjudicated at various accordion competitions in Alberta. Presently, she is involved with the organization of the third Victoria “Accordions by the Sea Festival” June 26-28th 2009.

www.victoriaaccordionclub.com

Roxanna Sabir has toured throughout North America and Europe with the acclaimed fiddling, singing and step-dancing group, the Sabir Sisters and has recently formed a new duo with Craig McGregor, called Mad Tradition. In addition to singing, dancing and fiddling, she is the director of Harmony Music School, an Irish fiddle school based in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Her exceptional performance experience has made Roxanna one of Canada’s most sought after fiddle instructors.

www.myspace.com/craigmcgregorroxannasabir