Fiddler Brian Conway and Matt Mulqueen with Special Guests: Project Rhythm at the Montessori School of McLean

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann O’Neill Malcom Branch, the Folklore Society of Greater Washington (FSGW) and the Tradtional Music Series present an exciting evening of traditional music, dance and rhythm.

Premier Irish-American fiddler, Brian Conway, performs with a skill, grace and force that are steeped in tradition but distinctively his own. Well known in the Irish/Celtic community, Conway has won numerous All-Ireland fiddling competitions, and has been called one of the best fiddlers of his generation. Nothing is missed or missing in Brian Conway's Sligo-style fiddling.

Brian Conway, one of the finest fiddlers in Irish music today, is a three-time All-Ireland champion.  Born in the Bronx to parents who had both emigrated from County Tyrone, Brian is a New York fiddler whose playing comes straight from heart of the Sligo tradition. Brian's early mentors include Martin Wynne and Andy McGann who got their tunes right from Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran, "Professor Morrison" and others.  The Irish ethnic community in New York City kept alive and developed the traditions of the old country, and Brian received tunes and tutelage from the best of them.  His respect for the tradition have allowed some to label him a musical conservative, but he's really a musical conservationist preserving and passing along the best of the past while melding it with the talent and imagination of the present, and making it his own music. Brian has taught many fiddlers across North America.  Many of his students have gone on to win awards, perform at the highest levels, and are now teaching others themselves.  Brian's impact of tradtional Irish music is great and we are lucky to have him anchor this evening of great music.

Brian is joined by Matt Mulqueen. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, into a musical family, Matt's older brothers played button accordion and fiddle, and his sister became a champion step-dancer. This environment instilled in Matt an irresistible desire to learn and play Irish traditional music. His first music instruction came in the second grade when he joined the boys choir at his elementary school. At age nine, Matt asked his parents if he could learn to play the piano. He began with group piano lessons at a local community college. From there, he progressed to private lessons in Irish and Classical music with Donna Long, who has been the greatest influence on Matt's playing. Listening to the host of traditional musicians who haunt Irish pubs and to innumerable recordings allowed Matt to forge his own compelling style of accompanying Irish music. 

DC-based Irish dance choreographers Joe Duffey and Kendal Griffler will bring selections from their show Project Rhythm to the show.   

Joe Duffey, is an internationally recognized Irish dancer, choreographer, and director/owner of District Irish Dance. His professional career includes touring with Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, performing alongside Michael Flatley on Broadway and London’s West End, and appearing on The Graham Norton Show. Since founding District Irish Dance in 2018, Joe has shared his passion for the art form with the next generation while also choreographing productions such as the 2023 North American Tour of Wings - A Celebration of Celtic Dance and Project Rhythm. He is also the co-founder of Jigs & Swigs® - The Irish Dance Workout, and remains dedicated to building community and supporting the arts in his hometown of Washington, D.C.

New York native Kendal Griffler has spent a decade touring the globe and making her mark on the dance world. She was featured in The New York Times as a “pert and crisp” performer. Kendal uniquely blends the distinct posture and footwork of Irish dance with other styles like ballet and modern. Her performance highlights include touring North America as principal female dancer with Celtic Illusion, and appearing as a soloist with Sean Curran Company and Darrah Carr Dance at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. She also completed two seasons at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, performing in the award-winning show Celtic Fyre - named #1 Amusement Park Entertainment Show.

2024 was her year for career milestones! In March, she was invited to perform at the United States Capitol for President Biden and other dignitaries in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day (which included a surprise visit to the Oval Office via presidential Motorcade!) She then was asked to join Riverdance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade - a dream come true for this New Yorker!  Now proudly based in Washington, D.C., Kendal is the General Manager and a certified instructor at District Irish Dance Academy, where she’s as passionate about building community as she is about dancing.

Axel Naar will join Brian and Matt on the Bodhran, a tradtional Celtic frame drum.  Axel has been playing the bodhran for a number of years having been first introduced to it by D.C. based Jesse Winch.  In 2024, he was awarded the Under-15 top prize at the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh - a competition of tradtional Irish musicians from Canada and the U.S.  He went on to compete, in two events, in that summer's All-Ireland competition in Wexford, Ireland. He has performed with a number of musicians at music camps and concerts.  He has taught drumming at music and dance camps over the past four years. 

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Light refreshments will be available with wine, beer and non-alcholic drinks available for purchase.

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Doors open at 6:30 PM

Concert at 7:00 PM

Links to artists:  

• Brian Conway

• Project Rhythm

• Joe Duffy

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The Tradtional Music Series is made possible by support from:

• The City of Alexandria

• The Folklore Society of Greater Washington (FSGW) (a 501 (c) 3 Organization)

  • FSGW - Home

• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann O’Neill Malcom Branch, Washington, DC (a 501 (c) 3 Organization)

  • CCÉ O'Neill Malcom Branch

• The series is coindcuted under the auspices of the North American Morris Dance Organization, also a 501 (c) 3 Organization.  

Questions:  alex@morrisdance.org