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 that was awarded the Austin Critic's Table Award for Outstanding Classical Concert of 2005."

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.

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The Inishfree School of Irish Dancing has been one of the most prominent Irish Dance classes in the state of Texas for over 15 years. In this time children and adults have gained more than just the ability to dance. Classes focus on developing a strong work ethic, focus, achievement, good sportsmanship, and making lifelong friends. We pride ourselves on giving Texan children a place to flourish within the competitive world of Irish Dance where we regularly represent Texas and the USA at major competitions worldwide. As well as this, we perform throughout the state giving even our youngest children the chance to show off their skills.Inishfree was proud to open our first Austin, Kyle and Round Rock classes in the last two years. In this short period of time, we have flourished and continue to grow in numbers as well as achievement.If Irish Dance has been something you have been interested in trying, please come along to any of our locations for a free class.

Colleen grew up inspired by the Irish and Scottish songs and tunes in the rich Irish community in Seattle, Washington. Her four solo CDs have staked her claim as a serious presence in Celtic music today and provoked Hearth Music to enthuse, "Singing with a deep love for the tradition and the dark poetry of Celtic song, Colleen has been drawing new life from old ballads and renewing our love for Celtic music." Irish Music Magazine recently called Raney “among the best in her genre.”Internationally recognized flute player and singer Hanz Araki is known for his fresh an innovative approach to traditional Irish and Scottish music. The son of a Japanese shakuhachi Grand Master, Araki Kodo V, and a Scots-Irish mother, his musical sensibility is both inspired and disciplined and has made him a household name from the UK to Japan. In his 25 year career, Araki has earned the praise of the international music community including Fatea Magazine, who raves “(His) musicianship is superb …achingly beautiful; a real delight.” Irish Music Magazine writes that Araki is “an Irish music phenomenon in West Coast America.”

Close your eyes and soak in the stirring sound of a fast-paced jig or a haunting slow air. When you hear the majestic sound of the Great Highland Bagpipes, you will be transported to the mist-covered mountains of Scotland, surrounded by soft purple heather, rowan trees and kilted musicians.
All this atmosphere is courtesy of Austin’s own iconic pipe band, Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums. Made up of home-grown musicians standing shoulder to shoulder with pipers and drummers from around the globe, Silver Thistle has been entertaining audiences with traditional and cutting-edge alternative Scottish music for over thirty years.  In addition to local gigs, the band travels farther afield to perform and compete both in the US and internationally.
And when the music stops, come visit us at www.silverthistle.org.

Chris Buckley grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He’s been a student of the violin since the age of 3 and began studying Irish fiddle at the age of 14. His classical training culminated with a degree in viola performance at the University of Minnesota and graduate work at UT Austin. His Irish music roots came under the tutelage of Martin Dowling, Liz Carroll, Brendan Mulvhill and James Kelly. Christopher has received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding achievements in Irish music. He competed in three All-Ireland world competitions. Shortly after arriving in Austin in 2001, Chris combined forces with other traditional Irish musicians as founding members of the highly energetic Texas Irish band Cluan. Since then, he has been a member of and recorded with several other Texas based ensembles including Blaggards, Aidan and Tea Merchants, who won the 2007 Austin Music Award for Best World Music. Christopher has not only performed throughout the United States and Ireland, but at home in Austin is a widely respected fiddle teacher with an extensive roster of students.