Katie McNally & Neil Pearlman

• Celtic

The vibrant musical traditions of Scotland and Cape Breton take on new life in the hands of fiddler Katie McNally (“Formidable”, The Boston Globe) and Neil Pearlman (“a tremendous pianist”, BBC Radio Scotland).

McNally and Pearlman have performed as a duo for over a decade, making their mark at legendary stages like Newport Folk Festival, playing to buoyant festival plazas in Spain and England, all while maintaining ties to home by leading monthly community sessions at the storied Canadian-American Club in Boston. They’ve often teamed up in larger outfits like New England powerhouse Pine Tree Flyers and Gàidhlig-language unit Fàrsan and their intimate duo show reflects a deep musical trust and intuition built on years of these varied collaborations.

Both were 2025 Shannon Artists-in-Residence at Beinn Mhàbu in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and are co-Artistic Directors of Groton Hill’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. The pair plan to begin work on their first duo record in summer 2025.

Adam Hendey Band

• Celtic

The Adam Hendey Band brings audiences along on a breathtaking tour of traditional songs from Scotland, Ireland, and beyond. Hendey’s easy, intimate singing pulls listeners to the edges of seats as guitars weave together in clockwork counterpoints to support fiery fiddle tunes. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s prestigious Traditional Music program, Adam Hendey is joined by Elias Cardoso and Erin Hogan.

Matt & Shannon Heaton

• Celtic
• Trad

With engaging stage presence and masterfully-crafted music, Boston-based Matt & Shannon Heaton offer well-travelled Irish music from the heart. Steeped in sessions in County Clare and brewed in the acoustic music scenes of  Chicago & Boston, their flute/guitar/bouzouki instrumentals and sweet husband-and-wife harmony singing draw deeply from the Irish tradition.

Since their move to Boston in 2001, the Heatons have become an integral part of Boston’s vibrant trad music scene. Shannon co-founded the Boston Celtic Music Fest in 2003.

Shannon was named 2016 Massachusetts Cultural Council Traditional Artist Fellow. The Irish American News dubbed her Female Musician of the Year (2009) and Live Ireland nominated her Female Musician of the Year 2010 and  2011. She’s been compared to Alison Krauss and Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh for her combination of vocal grace and instrumental prowess on Irish flute, whistles and accordion. She is also an acclaimed arranger and composer, and has published two instructional Irish music books.

In addition to his acclaimed work as an Irish accompanist on guitar and bouzouki, Matt has also received multiple Massachussetts Cultural Council Grants for his work with kids (he’s got two CDs of original rockabilly-tinged music for children and discerning parents). He fronts surf-rock band Electric Heaters and also holds a master’s degree in classical guitar. For his creative chording and driving grooves, Matt has been called “a combination of Bill Frisell and Arty McGlynn.”

Matt and Shannon are poised, passionate American performers with Irish roots and universal appeal. They are comfortable onstage and have a warm connection with their audiences. They move listeners with their love of traditional music (and each other), and their sense of adventure and fun in exploring new directions and possibilities.

Clare Fraser Trio

• Celtic

Clare Fraser, Simon Lace, and Elias Cardoso are Boston-based traditional Irish musicians. Each regularly lead Irish sessions at local venues, including The Burren, The Druid, Emmets, and more. As a trio of longtime friends, their years of playing together lends to a cohesive sound that is lively and fun.

Clare Fraser is a traditional Irish fiddler, originally from upstate NY. She was surrounded by folk and Celtic music from a young age, playing at local sessions and for contra dances. Since moving to Boston in 2020, she has focused on traditional Irish music, leading Irish sessions at several venues in the Boston area, performing at local festivals, and touring the US as a featured fiddler with A Taste of Ireland Dance Company.

Forsyth

• a cappella
• Celtic

Forsyth (Kate Knudsvig, Kat Wallace, Erin Hogan and Helen Kuhar) is a democratic collective of musicians, where each member’s voice adds an equal thread to the group’s tapestry. With four voices as their canvas, they combine their individual talents into a shared interpretation, bringing fresh energy to the timeless melodies of the Celtic tradition. Inspired by the haunting soundscapes of Lankum and Ye Vagabonds, Forsyth invites listeners to explore the vibrant tapestry of every song and story.