AULD ALLIANCE FIDDLERS SOCIETY
Faculty
Katie is a renowned violinist in Scottish and Cape Breton traditions. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, she developed a passion for these musical styles from a young age, learning from greats like Hanneke Cassel.
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Her talent and contribution to traditional music have been recognized by critics, notably with the release of her album "The Boston States" in 2016, hailed as one of the finest modern Cape Breton recordings of the past decade by Irish Music Magazine.
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Katie is also the founder of the Boston State Fiddle Camp, a must-attend event in the United States.
Katie McNally
Groups
Katie McNally Trio, Farsan, Childsplay, Pine Tree Flyers.
ADAM SUTHERLAND
Session A9, Treacherous Orchestra, Croft No. Five.
Groups
Adam, originally from the Highlands, is a prolific composer, creating original melodies that harmoniously blend with ancestral traditions. Several albums have been critically acclaimed, including "Squall," "Roads Not Travelled," and "Some Other Land." His innovative work has contributed to revitalizing the Scottish music scene and attracting a wider audience.
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Adam Sutherland is not only an exceptional violinist but also a passionate teacher who imparts his knowledge and love for music to future generations. His contribution to Scottish traditional music as a performer and composer makes him an essential figure in the contemporary Scottish music scene.
Galen is a talented violinist, composer, and producer hailing from Northern California. His music transcends genre and tradition, creating unique sonic landscapes that blend elements of Scottish, Irish, Nordic, and Spanish music.
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Galen earned his Bachelor's Degree in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music.
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In August 2016, Galen released his debut solo album, "Mischief Managed," featuring primarily original compositions and accompanied by exceptional guests such as Natalie Haas, Alasdair Fraser, Jenna Moynihan, and Conor Hearn.
GALEN FRASER
Groups
Atlantic Folk Trio, Duo San Miguel/Fraser.
David LOMBARDI
Fourth Moon, The Kraken Consort, The Unprepared,
Elir, Routes String Quartet ...
Groups
David graduated in classical violin and viola from the Antonio Vivaldi Conservatory of Music in Italy, his home country. After his classical studies, he specialized in Irish traditional music at the University of Limerick and in world music at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. He also took courses in music production at Berklee Online.
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David is an incredibly versatile musician who has explored a variety of genres and styles. From classical music to Hindustani music, from Irish and Scottish traditions to those of Scandinavian and Eastern European countries, he feels at home on different stages with his numerous international projects. David collaborates with renowned artists from around the world and is highly sought after as an arranger, composer, and studio musician.
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NATALIE HAAS
A graduate of the Juilliard School, where she studied with cellist Fred Sherry, Natalie discovered the cello at the age of nine. Her musical journey took on new meaning when, at the age of 11, she fell in love with Celtic music at the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School. Inspired and encouraged by director Fraser, she began exploring the potential of the cello to rhythmically accompany fiddle tunes, and to this day, the two continue to resurrect and reinvent the historical role of the cello in Scottish music.
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Natalie's teaching skills make her one of the most sought-after instructors at violin camps worldwide.
Groups
Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, Brittany and Natalie Haas ...
AILIE ROBERTSON
Ailie is originally from Edinburgh and widely recognized as one of Scotland's leading traditional musicians and Celtic harpists.
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She has won five gold medals at the National Mod and was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition. Ailie also won first prize at the inaugural London Harp Competition, as well as the St Albans New Roots prize, and was named the overall best musician at the Edinburgh Festival competition.
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Her debut solo album, titled "First Things First," won the "Live Ireland" award for "Best Instrumental Performance of the Year." She has performed and taught worldwide, released three solo albums of Celtic harp music, and published seven harp sheet music collections.
Groups
The Outside Track
JEANS DAMEI
Jean started playing the guitar at the age of 16. It was through meeting Irish musicians during concerts in the Alps that he discovered a passion for this music and decided, at the age of 19, to move to Ireland to study it. He was then admitted to the University of Limerick, where he studied Irish traditional flute and guitar. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Irish Traditional Music and Dance in 2013 and is currently in his final year of the Master of Arts in Irish Traditional Music Performance program.
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Being passionate about jazz and funk, he draws inspiration from these rich genres to enrich his accompaniments and take Irish music to new horizons. He loves experimenting with different tunings, ranging from DADGAD, DADADE, DADGDE... but for our event, the classes will be in DADGAD.
Groups
Fourth Moon, Elir, The Unprepared...
