Connecticut Academy of Irish Music

The Connecticut Academy of Irish Music Performance Troupe is a collection of passionate and dedicated young musicians who range in age from twelve to twenty. Through their affiliations with various instructors at the Academy, members learn from masters of their craft, collaborate with other young musicians who share their unique musical interests, and inspire each other. Their music is fun, toe-tapping, and strongly rooted in the Irish tradition. As is common in the “trad” community, members learn and perform by ear and place priority on sharing their music with friends in traditional music sessions around Connecticut, New England and even around the world. While some members come from rich family histories of renowned Irish musicians, others are newer to the tradition. Most are multi-instrumentalists; many also have a background in classical music; and the group also includes several accomplished Irish step dancers. Members of this talented troupe have performed at house concerts, the prestigious All-Ireland music competition in Ireland, the MorGlor Awards ceremony televised on national television in Ireland, European tours, Sober St. Patrick’s Day in New York City, and many other venues. Under the leadership of the Academy’s founder and Director Jeanne Freeman, the troupe’s members include Nora Carroll (age 12 - fiddle), Tiernan Connolly (age 12 – bodhran), Owen Brennan (age 13 - fiddle), Emilie Carroll (age 14 - fiddle), Colman Connolly (age 14 - piano), Heidi Small (age 14 - fiddle), Grace Conneely (age 17 - fiddle), Mary Grace O’Neil (age 19 – Irish flute), Kirsten Appel (age 20 - harp), and Silas Hamilton (age 20 - guitar).

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