B.M. Jazz Performance, (guitar) Towson University
Music teacher, Holton Arms. Assistant Sound Engineer, Devine Order Studios. Writer, producer. Performances in the Baltimore and DC area with artists including Roberto Villeda, Mihael Paxton, Jake Askarian and in venues including Dorney Park, Pennsylvania and Otto Bar, Baltimore. Recent recording “Northern Lights” as Crown Joules, “Northern Lights.”
TTCT Teaching Diploma, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (Dublin).
Performances on Irish concert flute and Irish tinwhistle. Over 15 years experience playing at sessions, festivals, dances, and concerts. Frequent traveler to Ireland, where she studied technique and repertoire. Regularly performs at the Irish embassy, the Folk Festivals in Glen Echo and Takoma Park, and the Potomac Celtic festival. Assisted with classes at the Augusta Irish Week in Elkins, WV. Performs with ensembles including the bands Rambling House and Cuil Mor, and with Keith Carr in the duo Lilt.
Irish-American musician and singer Eileen Estes is a performing musician, studio musician, composer, song collector and researcher as well as a vocal coach. She recently returned to the East cost after living and working in Chicago. She travels regularly to research traditional singing, perform, and teach Master Classes in the United States and abroad. Currently, Eileen works as one of the directors for Irish Musical Arts and Dance Week in Bethesda MD, is the vocal instructor for the Irish Music School of Chicago, and will serve on this year’s Faculty at the O’Flerherty Irish Music Retreat, Blue Ridge Irish Music Week, and the Baltimore Trad Fest. Estes also runs her own vocal studio, Lark Song Studios, where she works with singers around the world both remotely and in person. Previously, Eileen was a faculty member at Blue Ridge Irish Music School and the Baltimore Washington Academy of Arts and Culture. Eileen grew up immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland specializes in Celtic, Folk, and contemporary genres. She believes singers improve the most when they consider the whole body as and instrument; learning to trust their coordination and muscle memory. Eileen is happiest when she gets to explore topics such as resonance, repertoire, context, phrasing, ornamentation, and vocal health with singers of all ages and skill levels. She also enjoys group classes where students participate in the oral tradition of Celtic songs, explore blending, and harmonize as they re-imagine ancient and contemporary songs.
B.M., Violin Performance, Catholic University; traditional Irish fiddle studies with Brendan Mulvihill
Violin/fiddle teacher for over 10 years; performs in local Irish festivals, ceilis, sessions; founding director Bog Band and CCE Musical Arts & Dance (MAD) Week.
Professional musician
Founding member of the internationally acclaimed band Celtic Thunder; discography includes Celtic Thunder, The Light of Other Days, and Hard New York Days. Known for his mastery of the bodhran and his ceili band drumming. Introduced to Irish music by his parents, Irish immigrants who came to the US in the 1920s. Has taught bodhran in the Washington, DC area since the early 1980s.
© 2024 Washington Conservatory of Music