Téada – Direct from Ireland

This stunning evening features riveting music, heartfelt songs, dynamic dance, and captivating stories centered around the beautiful traditions of Ireland.

A traditional band with a truly worldwide reach, Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Russia, the Middle East, and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at the Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, the Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, the Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, and the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo. In 2014, the band performed to 40,000 people during an extensive 7-week tour of Japan/Taiwan and continues to have a strong touring presence in the United States, where Téada has toured actively since 2001.

May 2022 brought the release of the band’s new album on the Gael Linn label, featuring an exciting vocal collaboration with Hollywood actor & singer John C. Reilly in addition to the band’s customary re-energizing of rare tunes from the tradition. Legendary Kerry singer and accordionist – Séamus Begley – Téada’s vocalist since 2012, sadly passed away in January 2023, a great loss to Téada and the entire musical community. Notable festival appearances in 2023 include the Savannah Music Festival, Montana Folk Festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Brittany), and Irish Festival of Oulu (Finland).

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Oisin Mac Diarmada (fiddle)
A graduate in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin/RIAM, Oisín Mac Diarmada began playing fiddle at a young age in Co. Clare, subsequently moving to Co. Sligo and developing a deep interest in the playing style of the North Connacht region. Oisín is also a regular solo performer, appearing as a guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra in 2007 and maintaining a busy schedule of teaching activities throughout the world. Oisín was appointed Director of SCT, the Traditional Irish Music Examination System administered by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, in 2012.

Paul Finn (button accordion)
Paul Finn from Co. Laois is one of the finest button accordion players in Ireland. Known for a pulsating and rhythmic performance style, his playing featured prominently in major international touring dance productions, as well as in the indigenous session scene in Ireland, prior to his joining Téada in 2003. He is a member also of the All-Ireland-winning Innisfree Céilí Band and is a popular teacher at workshops including the Irish Music Gathering in Tocane, France.

Damien Stenson (flute)
Hailing from the rich musical environment of Co. Sligo, Damien Stenson is noted for his extensive repertoire and flowing style of playing, honed by many years of extensive musical activity. In addition to performing with Téada, he has recorded on a number of albums including the compilation “Wooden Flute Obsession Vol. 2”, an album featuring bodhrán-player Junior Davey, and appeared on RTÉ television series ‘The Reel Deal’ during June 2009. Teaching activity has included flute tutoring at Celtic Week – Swannanoa Gathering.

Seán McElwain (guitar / bouzouki)
Seán McElwain from Monaghan brings a strong string dimension to Téada through his dynamic contributions on guitar and bouzouki. In recent times, touring performances have seen Sean gaining growing accolades for his accompaniment and melodic skills from many quarters. He is actively involved in the organizing and running of an annual weekend of music ‘Scoil Cheoil na Botha’ in his native county Monaghan and is currently completing PhD research studies on the music of his local area.

Tristan Rosenstock (bodhrán)
Tristan Rosenstock is from Glenageary, Co. Dublin. He started playing the bodhrán at the age of 11 and prefers a subtle, sympathetic approach to accompaniment. A graduate of Early & Modern Irish at Trinity College, Dublin, and later Film & Television Studies at DCU, he currently presents the weekly arts series ’Imeall’ on TG4, Ireland’s Irish language television station.

Samantha Harvey (piano/dance)

Samantha Harvey is an award-winning step dancer, pianist, and accordionist. She has performed throughout the world. Samantha performed in RTÉ’s Centenary 2016, broadcast live from the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin and with both Omaha & Nashville Symphonies in A Celtic Journey.

Support for this event is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.