The Trad Gathering Workshops

Over the three days, Teresa and Siobhán will focus on tune learning, style, ornamentation, rhythm and musicianship. Participants should not be beginners and should be comfortable with learning by ear. All instruments welcome.

Siobhán Nagle

Born in London to Irish parents from Mulrany, County Mayo, Siobhan Nagle’s (née O’Donnell) introduction to traditional Irish music was through her grandmother who played melodeon and concertina. At the age of eight she began to attend Brendan Mulkere’s class in Cricklewood, starting on the tin whistle and progressing to the flute. She won her first All-Ireland under eleven and in the mid 1980s went on to become Senior All Ireland Champion on the flute and the Ladies Sean Nós Singing in English. From there she toured the UK, Ireland and North America with Comhaltas.

She was greatly influenced by the flute playing of Séamus Tansey, Matt Molloy and the London based Roger Sherlock who she met at sessions in the White Hart on Fulham Broadway.

Her late father Tom, spent many sociable hours at the London Irish Centre in Camden Town being an active member of the North London Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eíreann in the late 70s and 80s where she regularly played.

She is currently teaching for Harrow Music Services providing Traditional Irish music workshops in primary schools in the area.

Teresa Connolly

Fiddler Teresa Connolly (née Heanue) began her musical days competing in Fleadhs, winning three All-Ireland titles and visiting Ireland with her Galway parents as often as possible. She recorded two albums and toured Europe with the contemporary folk band ‘Sin é’, gigging at Cambridge and Belfast folk festivals and Celtic Connections in Glasgow. Teresa also recorded with Loreena McKennitt, Stiff Little Fingers and Luke Daniels.

After a stint with ‘Riverdance’, Teresa toured for two years with ‘Lord of the Dance’, performing with Michael Flatley in America and London’s Hyde Park. She toured throughout the U.S. and Canada, playing in Radio City Music Hall on St Patrick’s Day and showcased alongside Ray Charles and The Rolling Stones in Hawaii. Her fiddling can be heard on the soundtrack of the film The Most Fertile Man In Ireland.

Teresa regularly plays for céilís and sessions in London with husband Gary (accordion). She also teaches and adjudicates at fleadhs.