ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:

HALEY RICHARDSON: With her highly ornamented and virtuosic style of playing, Haley launched her opening salvo in the Irish music world at 6 years of age when she won the under 12 All Ireland qualifier. She has since amassed a long list of All Ireland and other championship titles (solo fiddle and slow airs) and has performed the world over.

Whether performing in a solo capacity or in an ensemble, Haley brings a rare dynamism and energy to her music, which is informed by her thorough knowledge of the Sligo fiddle style, her mastery of her instrument, and the trailblazing and show-stopping technique and emotion evident in every note she plays. Currently the fiddler for the 25th Anniversary tour of the Grammy Award winning production, Riverdance, Haley has performed with many of the best-known Irish musicians including The Chieftains, Altan, Dervish, Mick Moloney and Green Fields of America, Pride of New York, Liz Carroll with Cherish the Ladies, John Whelan, Paddy Keenan, The Máirtín de Cógáin Project.

DON PENZIEN: Don Penzien has long been a top-flight performer of Irish traditional music. He frequently is on the road playing concerts and festivals with Gailfean, The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, and Haley Richardson and he has served as accompanist for numerous other well-known performers (e.g., Gerry O’Connor, Randal Bays, Tim Britton, John Williams, Pat Broaders, Gabe Donohue, Ben Jaber, Tony DeMarco, Billy McComiskey, Sean Clohessy, Bridget Fitzgerald, Kevin Doyle). Widely recognized for his reserved backing style, Don’s dexterous work on DADGAD-tuned guitar provides solid, driving rhythms to traditional tunes as well as perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs. Don is a Michigan native with strong roots in Irish culture and an affinity for Celtic music. Don now resides in NC where he works as Professor at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.