Donnelle McKaskle is the founder and Artistic Director of the Celtic Cultural Center of Texas. She has been called
a "Celtic Fire-starter" by the Austin Chronicle and was recently named one of Texas' top ten leading Irish
Americans by the Irish Echo. She has produced the Austin Celtic Festival for the last ten years and received
several awards and recognitions for her radio show, Celtic Storm, which aired on KOOP radio for ten years. She
contacted Jeffrey Jones Ragona in 2002 with the idea to hold a Celtic Christmas concert at the Cathedral and
the two have enjoyed a successful collaboration ever year since.
Dr. Jeffrey Jones-Ragona is active as a singer and conductor, and has performed as a soloist throughout the United
States, Canada, and Brazil. He is the recipient of several local honors, including the B.Iden Payne Award and the
Austin Critics' Table Award. His association with the Cathedral began in 1993, when he was hired as a singer.
Jeffrey also serves as the Artistic Director of the Capital City Men's Chorus (Austin, TX), the Director of Music at
the Cathedral of Saint Mary (Austin), and Music Director for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
The Schola Cantorum was founded in 1993 by Cathedral Director of Music, John Balka. Suzanne
Ramo became the Director of Music upon Maestro Balka's departure in 1997, and appointed
Jeffrey Jones-Ragona as Choir Master and Philip Baker as organist. In 2001, Dr. Jones-Ragona
became the Director of Music and continues to serve in that capacity. The Schola Cantorum is
the principal choir for services at the Cathedral, and performs a repertoire that focuses mainly
on Gregorian Chant and Renaissance and Baroque music. The Schola has been the featured
vocal ensemble on the Celtic Christmas Concerts since the first concert in 2002. In 2005, the
Schola joined forces with the Texas Early Music Project to perform the first-ever Austin
performance of Monteverdi's "1610 Vespers," a concert which was awarded the Austin Critic's
Table Award for Outstanding Classical Concert of 2005."
Award-winning director, international performer and recording artist, Daniel Johnson has been the artistic director of the Texas
Early Music Project since its inception in 1987. Johnson tours extensively in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East,
performing Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music both as a soloist and ensemble member in such groups as the New York
Ensemble for Early Music, Sotto Voce (San Francisco), and Musa Iberica.
Stephanie Prewitt has performed in theaters, cathedrals, and concert halls throughout the United States and Europe, in repertoire
spanning eight centuries. A resident of Europe for two years after completing her university training, she soloed regularly with the
renowned Clemencic Consort in Vienna and Paris. She was a member of the six-voice ensemble La Cappella, and toured with them
extensively throughout Austria, Italy, and Scandinavia, in eclectic repertory ranging from obscure masterpieces of the Austrian
Renaissance to American spirituals. Her most recent honors include an Austin Critics Table Award (2001) and the Adams Vocal Master
Class Fellowship (2001) from the internationally acclaimed Carmel Bach Festival. She is featured on a recording of Koch International,
singing 12th-century polyphonic chant with Heliotrope, an ensemble based in California.
Brett Barnes regularly performs with Texas Early Music Project and the Schola Cantorum of St. Mary’s Cathedral. As a soloist, Mr.
Barnes has been featured with The Houston Masterworks Chorale, Austin Symphony, San Antonio Symphony and Pops in a Broadway
Review as well as their productions of Madama Butterfly and A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim, Midland Odessa Symphony,
Mid-Texas Symphony, Victoria Bach Festival and the Richardson Symphony to name just a few. He has performed with Tulsa Opera,
Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Beaumont Civic Opera, Capitol City Opera and is a founding member of the Not-Quite-Rite Players of the
Scottish Rite in Austin, performing traditional melodramas. He has been honored as a National Young Artist, Metropolitan Opera
Regional Winner, awarded the Marguerite McCammon Award for Vocal Excellence by Ft. Worth Opera, vocal winner of the Soratin
competition, and was chosen to participate in the inaugural Festival-de-St. Cérè under the direction of Maestro Robert Shaw.
Gregory Grene grew up between Cavan, Ireland and Chicago, and is the leader of THE PRODIGALS, one of the
foremost Celtic rock bands in the United States. He studied accordion with Sean Donaghue in Ireland and Liz
Carroll in Chicago, under whose tutelage he won the Midwest Fleadh Ceoil in the Junior and Senior Divisions.
As a student at Trinity College in Dublin he founded their Traditional Music Society and continues to pull from
his traditional roots in producing critically acclaimed music like his recent solo CD, Flipsides. A songwriter
and composer of exceptional merit, his music can be found anywhere from local Irish music sessions to major
motion pictures.
Ed Miller has been hailed as "one of the finest singers to come out of the Scottish Folksong Revival" and as "one of Scotland's best singing exports." Ed Miller, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland now living in Austin, Texas, is a product of the 1960s folk revival in Scotland. He moved to the United States in 1968 to complete his graduate work in Geography, and later Folklore, at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to his singing career, Miller is the host of a folk music program on Austin's NPR station, KUT-FM. Since 2000 he has led folk-music based tours to Scotland every summer. For information see www.songsofscotland.com
Máirtín de Cógáin is a singing, dancing, story-telling bodhrán player who also is a noted playwright and actor. He performs in his native Ireland and all over the U.S…. and between and beyond, too! An infectious personality, Máirtín pleasantly commands the attention of any collection of people, as large as a concert hall or as small as a porch. Máirtín learnt his singing from many famous Irishmen such as Séamus Mac Mathúna, Danni Maichi Ua Súilleabháin, and Ciarán Dwyer. Story-telling has been in his family for generations. Máirtín's talents are boundless, having garnered recognition as a storyteller (winning two All-Ireland's), singer (front man for the Fuchsia Band), dancer, and actor (most notably in the film The Wind that Shakes the Barley). A fluent speaker of Irish Gaelic and gifted teacher of Cork’s folk dances, Máirtín makes friends wherever he goes. In a very short time, Máirtín, the Fuchsia Band, and the "Project" have made themselves regulars at some of the most prestigious Irish festivals in the U.S.
Christopher Buckley Christopher Buckley grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been playing violin since the age of 3. His introduction into the tradition of Irish fiddle came when he was 14 years old under the direction of the renowned Irish fiddler Martin Dowling. Martin instilled in him a great love and deep appreciation for the music. Christopher has also studied under the direction of world-class fiddle players: Liz Carroll, Brendan Mulvihill and James Kelly. Christopher has received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding achievements in Irish music. He was a recipient of the Ed Ward scholarship and has won first place awards in the mid-western Fleadh Cheoil, allowing him to compete in three All-Ireland world competitions. While in Ireland, Christopher appeared on Radio Kerry, RTE and was a featured performer on the “Guinness Gig Rig.” In 2001, Christopher moved to Austin to pursue a Master’s Degree in Viola Performance at UT under the direction of Roger Myers. Since that time Christopher has performed and recorded with Celtic music groups: Cluan and the Tea Merchants. In 2007, Chrisopher and the Tea Merchants won the Austin Music Award for Best World Music. Currently, Chris also maintaining a private violin studio here in Austin.
Charlie Branch is best known as the Irish bouzouki and guitar player in the high-powered Ausrtin Irish band Cluan. He is one of the best Irish musicians in Austin and is rapidly making a name for himself in the entire state of Texas. Charlie is a veteran of the Austin Irish scene, having been a session stalwart for many years. A long time guitarist, He switched to the bouzouki in 1998 and has been hooked ever since. He now is the finest Irish Bouzouki player in Texas. Charles was formerly a member of the Austin band Tarbolton, and the Austin/Dublin band the Mad Trad Trio. Charlie also plays in the high-energy Irish trio The Tea Merchants with fellow Cluan member Chris Buckley.
Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums - Silver Thistle’s A band is the only competitive Grade III pipe band in Central Texas. Comprised of advanced pipe and drum corps, the band competes regularly around the United States each year. The band is led by award-winning Pipe Major Kenneth Liechti, a professional-grade piper from Scotland with 40 years of piping experience. Jason Whitson (pipe sergeant) and Colby Robbins (drum sergeant) support the pipe major.
Inishfree Austin - Under the direction of former principal lead dancer with Lord of the dance and qualified TCRG Patrick McCarthy. Patrick hails from Belfast, Ireland where he spent fourteen years dancing firstly with the Armstrong School of Irish dance and finally with Brennan/Miskelly/McCormack. Over his long career Patrick has won his regional championships (Ulsters) on numerous occasions and has placed top three in every major competition worldwide. Patrick also spent five years touring globally with Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance and during this time performed both male principal positions. After a long and varied competitive and professional career Patrick has turned his attention to teaching and has decided to share his vast knowledge of Irish dance with the families and children of Texas. Also part of the teaching staff at Inishfree Austin is world medal holder Pierce Beach. Pierce has also won his regional championships in this very region as well as representing the USA at World Championships. The aim of the Inishfree School in Austin is to provide the community with the chance to partake in this beautiful Irish art form. All levels, abilities and ages are catered for and children and adults from all walks of life are welcome to participate. Classes include instruction in basic to advanced soft shoe and hard shoe dancing as well as team dancing.
Ed Miller has been hailed as "one of the finest singers to come out of the Scottish Folksong Revival" and as "one of Scotland's best singing exports." Ed Miller, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland now living in Austin, Texas, is a product of the 1960s folk revival in Scotland. He moved to the United States in 1968 to complete his graduate work in Geography, and later Folklore, at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to his singing career, Miller is the host of a folk music program on Austin's NPR station, KUT-FM. Since 2000 he has led folk-music based tours to Scotland every summer. For information see www.songsofscotland.com
Máirtín de Cógáin is a singing, dancing, story-telling bodhrán player who also is a noted playwright and actor. He performs in his native Ireland and all over the U.S…. and between and beyond, too! An infectious personality, Máirtín pleasantly commands the attention of any collection of people, as large as a concert hall or as small as a porch. Máirtín learnt his singing from many famous Irishmen such as Séamus Mac Mathúna, Danni Maichi Ua Súilleabháin, and Ciarán Dwyer. Story-telling has been in his family for generations. Máirtín's talents are boundless, having garnered recognition as a storyteller (winning two All-Ireland's), singer (front man for the Fuchsia Band), dancer, and actor (most notably in the film The Wind that Shakes the Barley). A fluent speaker of Irish Gaelic and gifted teacher of Cork’s folk dances, Máirtín makes friends wherever he goes. In a very short time, Máirtín, the Fuchsia Band, and the "Project" have made themselves regulars at some of the most prestigious Irish festivals in the U.S.
Christopher Buckley Christopher Buckley grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been playing violin since the age of 3. His introduction into the tradition of Irish fiddle came when he was 14 years old under the direction of the renowned Irish fiddler Martin Dowling. Martin instilled in him a great love and deep appreciation for the music. Christopher has also studied under the direction of world-class fiddle players: Liz Carroll, Brendan Mulvihill and James Kelly. Christopher has received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding achievements in Irish music. He was a recipient of the Ed Ward scholarship and has won first place awards in the mid-western Fleadh Cheoil, allowing him to compete in three All-Ireland world competitions. While in Ireland, Christopher appeared on Radio Kerry, RTE and was a featured performer on the “Guinness Gig Rig.” In 2001, Christopher moved to Austin to pursue a Master’s Degree in Viola Performance at UT under the direction of Roger Myers. Since that time Christopher has performed and recorded with Celtic music groups: Cluan and the Tea Merchants. In 2007, Chrisopher and the Tea Merchants won the Austin Music Award for Best World Music. Currently, Chris also maintaining a private violin studio here in Austin.
Charlie Branch is best known as the Irish bouzouki and guitar player in the high-powered Ausrtin Irish band Cluan. He is one of the best Irish musicians in Austin and is rapidly making a name for himself in the entire state of Texas. Charlie is a veteran of the Austin Irish scene, having been a session stalwart for many years. A long time guitarist, He switched to the bouzouki in 1998 and has been hooked ever since. He now is the finest Irish Bouzouki player in Texas. Charles was formerly a member of the Austin band Tarbolton, and the Austin/Dublin band the Mad Trad Trio. Charlie also plays in the high-energy Irish trio The Tea Merchants with fellow Cluan member Chris Buckley.
Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums - Silver Thistle’s A band is the only competitive Grade III pipe band in Central Texas. Comprised of advanced pipe and drum corps, the band competes regularly around the United States each year. The band is led by award-winning Pipe Major Kenneth Liechti, a professional-grade piper from Scotland with 40 years of piping experience. Jason Whitson (pipe sergeant) and Colby Robbins (drum sergeant) support the pipe major.
Inishfree Austin - Under the direction of former principal lead dancer with Lord of the dance and qualified TCRG Patrick McCarthy. Patrick hails from Belfast, Ireland where he spent fourteen years dancing firstly with the Armstrong School of Irish dance and finally with Brennan/Miskelly/McCormack. Over his long career Patrick has won his regional championships (Ulsters) on numerous occasions and has placed top three in every major competition worldwide. Patrick also spent five years touring globally with Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance and during this time performed both male principal positions. After a long and varied competitive and professional career Patrick has turned his attention to teaching and has decided to share his vast knowledge of Irish dance with the families and children of Texas. Also part of the teaching staff at Inishfree Austin is world medal holder Pierce Beach. Pierce has also won his regional championships in this very region as well as representing the USA at World Championships. The aim of the Inishfree School in Austin is to provide the community with the chance to partake in this beautiful Irish art form. All levels, abilities and ages are catered for and children and adults from all walks of life are welcome to participate. Classes include instruction in basic to advanced soft shoe and hard shoe dancing as well as team dancing.
Christmas Week - December 19th and 20th, 2011
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Downtown Austin at 10th Street & Brazos.
7:30pm until 9:30pm
20 minute intermission.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Downtown Austin at 10th Street & Brazos.
7:30pm until 9:30pm
20 minute intermission.