Y PERSONAL STYLE is rooted in the traditional music of the past, calling into play my formal musical training and my desire to present Celtic music in a fresh, individual manner that’s accessible to the ears of modern concert-goers.

As a youngster I took private music lessons every week, first on guitar, then piano, french horn and clarinet. It wasn't until the "ripe" age of 15 that I fell in love with the violin after hearing vinyl record albums on my Grandmother's

stereo of Jascha Heifetz playing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. I pursued the violin with great eagerness, practicing 2 hours every day.

When I was 17 I persuaded my parents to let me leave high school so I could go to Canada to study music more intensively. The school was called the Victoria Conservatory of Music and was housed in the atmospheric Craigdarroch Castle which looked and felt rather like Harry Potter's Hogwarts School! There I practiced 7 hours a day and studied many subjects such as composition, music history, and electronic music.

Although I always enjoyed playing fiddle music on the side, my first professional music experiences were performing classical music in symphony orchestras and movie sound track recordings. I also learned a bit of jazz and in the summers played on cruise ships. Over time I came to realize that my truest sentiment was expressed through the haunting sounds of rural Irish and Scottish folk music. The stark, modal harmonies, rhythmic ostenato, narrow range of melodic pitches—this rustic tonality resonates with me more than any other music.

For the past 10 years I’ve devoted myself exclusively to performing Celtic music throughout the U.S. and Scotland. I also teach extensively, both in schools and privately near my home in Asheville, North Carolina. Although I work very hard at my job, I love what I do. And it feels great when people really appreciate what you have to offer.

Success in anything—whether it be a musical career, making a scientific discovery, or becoming a fine athlete—doesn’t happen accidentally to anyone. Sometimes people tell me I’m talented, but they are mistaken. I’m not, I just work hard. Talent isn’t randomly bestowed upon a few lucky people. Talent and success come to those who first figure out what it is they love and then apply themselves consistently and diligently towards attaining a goal.

Old Farmer's Ball at Warren Wilson College near Asheville
pictured is (left to right) fiddler April Verch, guitarist Dáithí Sproule, fiddler Liz Knowles, and me