CelticMKE Milwaukee Irish Fest Irish Fest Scrapbook School of Music Summer School Ward Irish Music Archives
Amy McFarland has been playing piano since she was a young child, with a focus on traditional music, dance music of many styles, song accompaniment, ragtime, and more.
Learn More
Amy Richter first picked up the bodhrán at the Irish Fest Summer School in 2003. Since then she has gone on to become the drummer for the popular Milwaukee band áthas, win the Midwest Fleadh, and compete in the All-Irelands.
Brendan Sanchez grew up in a musical family and was completely sold on Traditional Irish Music from his first Tin Whistle as a young child. He would soon expand to the Bodhrán, Highland Bagpipes, Scottish Smallpipes and become an accomplished Sean-nós Irish dancer.
Brett Lipshutz has been playing various flutes for over 30 years and Irish and Baroque music since 1994. He played twice at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil and has toured with the Trinity Irish Dance Company.
Heather Lewin teaches violin, viola and cello. She has been playing string instruments for over 30 years and has been teaching since 1998. In addition to teaching, Heather has performed and recorded with many local and national bands.
Jeff Ksiazek, a member of Milwaukee band áthas, has been playing wind instruments for two decades. Jeff offers instruction on bouzouki, Irish flute, whistle, and silver flute in Irish music.
Jennifer D'Alessio is currently the concertmaster of the Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra and is a fiddle and accordion player and singer with the Irish rock band, Hearthfire.
Kim Robertson is a renowned performer, arranger, and recording artist who has stretched the boundaries of the harp for a new generation of performers and audiences.
A string musician since the age of 12, Randy is a graduate of Visual Art and Celtic Studies at UWM. Randy has studied music with Liz Carroll, Niall Keegan, Sandra Joyce, Andy Irvine, Tony Nother, and studied abroad at the University of Limerick, Ireland. He plays regularly for céilí and set dancers and is a member of the band Myserk. He teaches by ear and is a strong believer in passing tunes and technique person to person.
Zohra Coday is a concertina player originally from St. Louis, Missouri, now based in New York. Zohra learned Irish music and dance at St. Louis Irish Arts CCE.
The Milwaukee Irish Fest School of Music works with some amazing local and regional Irish musicians to bring you even more educational possibilities! The following instructors can offer additional instruction locally and in neighboring communities.
John Ceszynski has been involved with Irish Traditional Music since 1981. He has performed, taught, and competed across the Midwest and in Ireland. Lessons will be arranged between the student and teacher in both the Milwaukee and Appleton areas.
James attributes his love of Irish music to his family. Born into the NYC traditional Irish music scene, he quickly developed a taste for pure drop trad.
For over a dozen years John has been busy teaching Celtic and finger style guitar and performing with noted area bands. He is currently a member of two-time WAMI award winner Frogwater. John is in great demand at festivals and workshops throughout the Midwest and teaches regularly at the Irish Fest Summer School.
Kaitlin Hahn began playing classical violin at the age of six, and at eighteen began studying Celtic fiddle. Kaitlin frequently travels to Cape Breton to study the music and has also studied with Liz Carroll. She has recorded several CDs. Kaitlin is a recipient of the Ed Ward Scholarship and a graduate of UWM with a music education degree. She plays with the group Atlantic Wave.
A three-time All-Ireland qualifier on fiddle and senior céilí band, Maria has taught fiddle to all ages since 1986. She plays for céilí and set dancers (with Cream City Céilí Band) and New England Contra dancing (with Last Gaspe).
Sign Up for Email Updates