Celtic Woman Biographies

[roger]

CELTIC WOMAN

All photos above can be found at www.outofirelandtv.com/site/page11.cfm

[Caitlin]

Hi Everyone, Caite here!

I have been working for the past couple of days on compiling the biographies for each of the Celtic Woman. The information contained in the biographies and more can be found at www.celticwoman.com or at their respective websites (which I have included in their biographies). Thank you and enjoy learning about the wonderful Celtic Woman.


[Edit] Upon further searching I have come across a photo of the recent filming at Slane Castle. To view it click on the following link.
www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/st/artists/celticwoman/
<3 Caite

[Caitlin]

Photo Courtesy of the Hummingbird Centre and can be found on www.celticwoman.com

Mairead Nesbitt, a former All Ireland fiddle champion, has been playing fiddle since she was six years old. Her influences come from her family of accomplished musicians and a wide range of artists including Itzakh Pearlman, Andy McGann, Stephane Grappelli, Alison Kraus and Sting.
Despite her teacher’s wishes Mairead studied both the classical and traditional styles of music. She learned two different ways to hold her bow in order to accommodate to the two different styles of music. She says, “I studied hard because before you break the rules, you have to be able to do everything perfectly.” Now as an accomplished violinist, who started her career as a classical violinist with the RTE Concert Orchestra, Mairead brings elements from other musical genres into her playing. Mairead began her training at the Ursuline Convent in Thurles. She then went on to study at The Waterford Institute of Technology, the Cork School of Music under Cornelia Zanidache and at the London Royal Academy, London Trinity College. She studied under Emanuel Hurwitz on violin and piano for her post-graduate studies.
Mairead’s stylistic playing has led her to many opportunities such as working with the likes of Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris, and Jimmy McCarthy among others. She has also played on the original soundtracks of Riverdance: Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames. Along with playing on the soundtracks she toured with Riverdance as the original lead fiddle. Mairead has composed the music for the dance show “Invasion” which is to tour in 2006 and has had the honor to play for HRH-The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) in 2004.
She was asked by David Downes and Sharon Browne to become a soloist in “Celtic Woman” because of her versatility and stage presence. With Celtic Women she has toured around the world and recorded her first solo album “Raining Up.” “Raining Up” captures Mairead’s versatility perfectly and includes tracks composed by her and for her. More information and songs from her album can be heard at www.maireadnesbitt.com or www.celticwoman.com


Photo Taken by John Dolan at Howth Head, Dublin.

[Caitlin]

Photo can be found at www.meav.com

Meav Ni Mhaolchatha’s career in music is one she has dreamed of. Though Meav studied singing, harp and piano from a young age, music wasn’t something she thought of as a possible career. Instead Meav studied law at Trinity College Dublin and her flexible schedule at school allowed Meav to take part in various musical groups. Since then music has gradually taken over. She has toured with the RTE Concert Orchestra as the only vocalist, she played Erin the Goddess in Lord of the Dance and was a soloist with the Celtic group Anuna. Meav was also headlined in a festival for the Korean World Cup.
Meav has recorded two solo albums (“Meav” and most recently “Silver Sea”) both of which have been successful worldwide. In fact Meav has received two gold discs as a part of Celtic Woman. Her compilation CD “Celtic Journey” debuted in the top ten in Billboard World Music upon its release in February.
Though Meav is known for her classical and traditional singing her influences span many genres. From Ella Fitzgerald to traditional Gaelic music, which she learned from her father and her school. Her work with Anuna and the National Chamber Choir brought new insight to Meav. She says, “There’s always a bit of excitement about working with someone who comes from a different style” and she’s found this to be true while working with Celtic Woman. The blending of different styles is what Meav enjoys about Celtic Woman.
As her career progresses Meav draws on influences around her. For future works Meav would like to use more orchestrated backings, like the ones used in Celtic Woman. She also wants to continue singing in both the traditional and contemporary styles. More information and song clips from both her solo albums can be heard at her website www.meav.com or www.celticwoman.com


Photo can be found at www.meav.com

[Caitlin]

Photo found at www.orlaghfallon.net

After winning the Knockananna talent competition on the harp with the only song she knew Orla Fallon, then sixteen, was told that someday she would play in Carnegie Hall. “I never really thought that someday would come.” She says, “And now it has.” After making a pivotal decision between her two hobbies, horses and music, things really began to take flight.
Orla’s decision wasn’t an easy one. In order to get the harp she would need for the music lessons she would have to sell her pony. Eventually she decided to sell her pony and use the money for the harp, but the money was stolen. Her father saw the sacrifice Orla had made and bought her the harp that according to Orla has “brought me on so many journeys.”
Orla has performed in and won competitions such as the International Feis Ceoil and the International Pan Celtic. She has performed for the Pope in the Vatican, the President of Ireland, and with groups such as Clannad, Anuna and finally Celtic Woman. Her debut CD ‘The Water is Wide’ lead her to many TV and radio appearances such as UTV’s Kelly Show and RTE’s Open House. She was invited by producer Sharon Browne and musical director David Downes to join Celtic Woman. With Celtic Woman she has performed in Carnegie Hall, and at the St. Patrick’s Day Governor’s Breakfast at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel just to name a few.
Her solo work has simple arrangements and is most often sung in Gaelic. To her songs in Gaelic sound better than they do in English. Also when she writes songs she writes them on harp. She says, “Melodies come when I’m sitting at the harp.” For more information and to hear song clips visit www.celticwoman.com or www.orlaghfallon.net


Photo found at www.celticcollections.com

[Caitlin]

Photo found at www.lisakelly.com

Lisa Kelly has been involved in the theatre world since a young age due to her parent’s involvement in the amateur theatre community. When Lisa was seven she starred in the musical “Bugsy Malone.” She was trained classically in singing, and piano but theatre remained her first love. She played Velma Kelly in “Chicago” Laurie in “Oklahoma” and Sandy in “Grease” among other roles. She has also won many awards for her singing and acting. Among them were “Best Female Performer” in the Northern Ireland Musical Awards, and the Thomas Moore “Singer of the Year.”
During the day Lisa worked in the computer industry, but she decided to take a break and then performed with Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre in the pantomime “Jack and the Beanstalk.” By taking the break from her day job and performing in “Jack and the Beanstalk” she was then asked to become the lead vocalist for the show “Riverdance-The Show.” At first Lisa wasn’t sure about taking the position because of the style of music, but as the tour went on she really learned to appreciate Irish music which, she says, “is really important for me now.” Lisa toured with “Riverdance-The Show” for five years in the US. While doing the show she met her husband.
In 2002, Lisa was asked by Celtic Collections to record a solo album which was entitled ‘Lisa.’ Songs such as “Lift the Wings” (from “Riverdance”) and “The Soft Goodbye” were included. Lisa continued touring and when she took a break from touring to have her second child David Downes asked Lisa to become a part of “Celtic Woman.” At the time “Celtic Woman” was a single concert so she agreed. Lisa does not regret her decision to join Celtic Woman. She’s glad that the creators of “Celtic Woman” want the girls to remain individuals inside of the group.
For more information on Lisa or her music visit www.lisakelly.com or www.celticwoman.com


Photo can be found at www.lisakelly.com

[Caitlin]

Photo found at www.celticwoman.com

Chloe Agnew is the youngest of the Celtic Woman, but she has had the same amount of experience. At the tender age of four weeks Chloe made her stage debut and at the age of six she had her TV debut singing on her mother’s, Adele “Twink” King, show. In 1998 she represented Ireland in the First International Children's Song Competition in Cairo, Egypt, and won the Grand Prix with her version of the song “The Friendship Tree.”
At age eleven Chloe approached David Downes with the idea of recording a single for charity. Chloe and her friend were so moved by September 11th they wanted to do something to help. Chloe says, “Singing was the strongest thing I could do so I asked David if I could record a single with the profits going to charity.” She recorded “This Holy Christmas Night” and after Sharon Browne with Celtic Collections released it, and Chloe’s appearance on Ireland’s biggest TV show the single raised over 20,000 pounds.
After this achievement Chloe recorded her first solo album with Celtic Collections at the age of 12. She recorded a second album at the age of 14. Chloe not only sings, but studies guitar, piano and recorder. Most recently Chloe has been touring with Celtic Woman.
Chloe, still school-aged, has a tutor while on the road to ensure she keeps up with her schoolwork. This seems to be working well for Chloe is receiving honors at school and is looking at the possibility of getting a degree in child psychology someday. She admits that music might take priority for a while. As inspiration to do well on her studies Chloe looks to her mother who toured at Chloe’s age and also managed honors in all her courses. Though Chloe is still a teenager she has an idea of where she might like to go in music. She says, “There is a huge different side to me that people haven’t seen yet. I think I want to explore that more before I decide that’s what I’d want to do.” For the moment though, Chloe is content with singing Classical music and, of course, being with Celtic Woman. For more information on Chloe and her music visit www.chloeagnew.com or www.celticwoman.com


Photo can be found at www.celticcafe.com/Music/Celtic_Woman/

[Caitlin]

Photo found at www.celticwoman.com

David Downes is the musical director for Celtic Woman. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin where he studied music and composition. He has performed in places such as Wembley Arena, Carnegie Hall, and even on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. He has performed with the likes of James Galaway, Hollywood Studio Symphony and the Moravian Philharmonic among others. He has recorded solo artists such as Michael W. Smith, Michael Crawford and Moya Brennan.
David is also a composer and his credits include Thou Shalt Not Kill, The Enemy Within, The Hunt For Red Willie at the Peacock Theatre. He also composed the music for The Shaughraun at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, which broke box office records in 2004.
He has been Musical Director for Riverdance for both the European and US touring companies. He was also the orchestrator for Riverdance on Broadway. David has worked extensively with David Agnew and recently produced the Gold debut album for Chloe Agnew. He has also worked as an arranger and orchestrator for Charlotte Church, Secret Garden and Bonnie Tyler.
Visit www.celticwoman.com for more information and to read David’s blog.

[Oksana]

Hi Caite! Wonderful work you've done here! Thanks for providing these bios. I love Chloe Agnew's CD -- she and Meav are my favourites of the group.

Oksy

[Joe]

Hi Caite

Great job with the biographies. I knew you were working hard on them and you certainly didn't disappoint !

Thanks,
Joe

[Richard]

Hello Caite!

Many thanks for your great work in finding and posting all those interesting biographies. I had a quick look through all the web sites that were linked, but Chloe Agnew's doesn't seem to be fully functional yet. I also fixed a couple of links that didn't work.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[alcan1]

Yes....GREAT WORK

Some of the links are not up to par. For example Orlagh's Official website is located at www.orlafallon.org and Lisa's is at www.lisakelly.org Both of which are in the process of being constructed. Because Danielle did such a wonderfull job on the fan sites both Lisa and Orlagh have employed her services to host and maintain their official websites.

In the near future Ill be writing a full accounting of my CW experiance and elaberating more on my travels with the forum members. It would be nice and Im looking forward to having the chance to get both CW forum members and HWI forum members together for the spring tour.

Id go into more detail now but Im working 84 hous a week and will be on R&R for 11 days. Once it slows down then ill have the time to update the story that I posted here a couple of weeks ago.

[Richard]

Thanks for the information, Tony!

I added www to both the addresses in your post so they are now clickable links.

I look forward to reading more about your experience with Celtic Woman.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[roger]

Hi Caite,

Thank you very much for your excellent research and procuring so much information on CW. This is exactly the background we needed to include quickly so well done and a thousand thanks.

Roger

[roger]

From toshiba-emi.co.jp




Roger