Seán Gavin

A master of the uilleann pipes, Irish flute, and tin whistle, Seán Gavin is one of the most highly regarded performers and teachers of traditional Irish music. He is the first musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold medal, and the author of a popular tin whistle book published by Hal Leonard. Seán is the founder and director of the Irish Music Institute, a non-profit music school based in Southeast Michigan, and also serves as coordinator of Celtic Week at the Swannanoa Gathering.

Michael Gavin

Michael Gavin is a seasoned Irish musician and educator with over 30 years of experience. Growing up in a musically rich environment, he learned from his father, Co. Clare fiddler Mick Gavin. A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, Michael excels in guitar, fiddle, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, and vocals. He has performed with legends like Liz Carroll, Kevin Burke, and Ashley MacIsaac and is a member of the Detroit-based band Blackthorn. In addition to his music career, Michael is a professor of philosophy with degrees from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, mentoring students who have achieved success worldwide.

Josh Dukes

Josh Dukes is an All-Ireland champion accompanist and a highly sought after music teacher in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. A multi-instrumentalist whose talents embrace the guitar, bouzouki, bodhrán, flute, and tin whistle, Josh has established a reputation for providing sensitive, tasteful support for traditional Irish music. In 1997, Josh enlisted in the Army, earned the rank of Master Sergeant, and served as one of three Drum Majors for the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, “The Official Escort to the President,” the only military unit of its kind. Now retired, Josh performs and teaches Irish music throughout the United States.

Rebecca MacGowan

From Boston, Rebecca McGowan is a traditional and old-style Irish dancer with a particular interest in step dancing as music and making Irish dance lyrical and approachable. She has been on the faculty of the Catskills Irish Arts Week, ReJigged, Pinewoods, O’Flaherty Retreat, and others. She released a unique visual album From the Floor (2019) and a quartet album Eight Feet Tall (2023) together with duet partner Jackie O’Riley. Rebecca has been recognized as a recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Council Choreography Fellowship (2022), Somerville Artist Fellowships, and the Boston Foundation, and she directs a non-competitive step dancing school for adults.

Will MacMorran

Will MacMorran is a multi-talented musician, audio engineer, and educator based in Johnson City, TN. Will had the honor of touring with The Chieftains and has spent 15 years touring nationally and internationally with well-known artists in the Celtic, pop, and country genres. Will started piping at a young age and quickly added the guitar, whistles, accordion, and bouzouki, among other instruments, to his skillset. In addition to touring, Will currently teaches in East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies Program, and he is the department head of Entertainment Technology at Northeast State Community College.

Mari Black

Called “one of the brightest fiddlers around today," Mari Black has delighted audiences around the world with her energetic playing, sparkling stage presence, and dazzlingly virtuosic fiddling. Mari made her entrance onto the international stage when she became the Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion of Scotland, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and a two-time Canadian Maritime Fiddle champion, all within a three-year period. She’s performed in Brazil, Scotland, Canada, China, Korea, Zimbabwe, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy and France, and works as a teacher, performance coach, dancer, competition judge, and musical ambassador dedicated to connecting people through music.

Jenna Moynihan 

Jenna Moynihan is regarded as one of the best of the new generation of freestyle fiddlers. Versatile and inventive, her fiddling style draws strongly from the Scottish tradition, but is also influenced by American, Irish, and Swedish styles. Jenna has performed and taught around the world, including performances at Celtic Connections, Celtic Colours, Scots Fiddle Festival, A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, and Festival Interceltique. She has toured with The Milk Carton Kids, Old Blind Dogs, and Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards. Jenna has also performed as a soloist with The Boston Pops and appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and CBS Sunday Morning.

Seamus Noonan (staff musician)

Seamus Noonan is an accomplished Irish traditional flute and concertina player from the Boston area. He learned his music from his father Jimmy Noonan. His dedication to Irish music has earned him recognition at the highest levels, including being named a finalist in the 2024 Seán Ó' Riada competition and placing at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Senior flute competition. Seamus has been heavily influenced by the flute players of the past such as Seamus Tansey and John McKenna.    

Joe DeGeorgeo (staff musician)

Joe De Georgeo is a Boston-based fiddle player from Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in a

musical family, beginning violin lessons at a young age, and was exposed to Irish music after

living in Galway with his family in 2007. At the Center for Irish Music in St. Paul, MN, Joe started fiddle lessons with Jode Dowling and continued learning from such musicians as Brian Conway, James Kelly, and Seán Gavin. In 2022, Joe released a duet album with accordion player Ian McKenna called Star of the North and received the Sean O’Riada Gold Medal in 2023.

Will Johnson (staff musician)

From St. Paul, MN, Will Johnson is a piper and pipe-maker now based in Cleveland, OH. Will picked up the pipes only a few years ago, learning from Detroit piper and flute player Seán Gavin. Soon after, he became interested in reed making and subsequently pipemaking. After graduating from high school, he moved to Cleveland to pursue a full time apprenticeship making uilleann pipes.