Local & Regional Performers

Originally from Autin, TX, Larry primarily plays Irish uilleann pipes – but still plays both the Scottish Highland bagpipes and bellows-blown Scottish small pipes. He also plays Irish whistles, banjo, guitar, and recently started learning the Irish flute…but the uilleann pipes remain his favorite instrument.

Tyler Moore, Karl Wohlwend, and Tim O’Neill are veterans of America’s Irish music scene. Audiences describe the Dogwood Road sound as “modern traditional.” They bring the wealth of their varied experiences to bear in their approach to traditional music—melding the inventive spirit of the past with the innovations of today. Dogwood Road features high-energy jigs and reels, fun arrangements of traditional songs, and an emerging repertory of original music.

Roscommon Sessions members were drawn together as friends and bandmates by their love for traditional Irish music. Their unique style is defined by dynamic arrangements, featuring powerful fiddle duos, thoughtful songs, and inventive percussion, deftly held together by skillful guitar work. Their colorful tapestry of Irish jigs and reels is brightened by melodic threads of Scandinavia, Canada, and America, with an occasional humorous anecdote thrown in for good measure.

The Gem City Cloggers was founded by a group of talented dancers from right here in our community. These experienced cloggers give their time, energy, and heart to this dance form. Their mission is to keep clogging alive in the Dayton area, to educate and share their passion
for it with those around them. They hold weekly classes for all ages, every Monday at Rosewood Arts Center in Kettering. They are a nonprofit group that likes to dance at festivals and nursing homes all around Dayton and its surrounding areas.

This band got their start 23 years ago right here in Dayton. They played the inaugural Dayton Celtic Fest and have been back every year since. They’ve gone on to record 10 albums of all-original Celtic music and have performed at pubs, concerts, and festivals around the Midwest.

For over 35 years, Irish Music Award Nominee, Father Son and Friends has been a family band consisting of Joey (Father), Shawn (Son), and a host of friends that travel the globe sharing their brand of Celtic – Americana folk music. Over the years, their tours have taken them to 19 states and 3 countries.

Dayton’s own Scottish Pipe and Drum band, Miami Valley Pipes and Drums are a crowd favorite. You can find them performing at occasions both solemn and celebratory.

The Roving Rogues are a group of experienced traditional musicians specializing in the dance music of Ireland. They play both lively, session-style sets (jigs, reels, and other tunes played on fiddle, concertina, accordion, and flute, accompanied by bouzouki or harp) and danceable, ceili-band style sets (accompanied by piano and drums).

Three musicians in Central Ohio who love Celtic music came together to form Fialla. Their abilities to pick up traditional instruments and play them with grace seemed to be steeped in their DNA. All multi-instrumentalists, and one a dancer, they present Celtic music so faithfully one thinks they hear the accents of the old country. Their selection of songs and tunes and the way they arrange the pieces has a freshness devoid of the usual stigma facing up-and-coming artists. Fialla finds songs that intrigue them, and plays with them until they make them their own.

Under the direction of Mary Laffey and Anna Bumiller Boman, the award-winning Celtic Academy of Irish Dance is Dayton’s premiere Irish dance school. Voted Best of Dayton by both Dayton Magazine and Dayton dot com, the Celtic Academy is always in high demand to perform at events throughout Southwest Ohio. Certified instructors instill the values of excellence and determination in both competitive and non-competitive arenas, with students qualifying to compete, and medaling on the local, regional, national, and world Irish Dance Championship levels. The Celtic Academy offers recreational and competitive classes for youth and adult, so try out their August Summer Sampler class. For more information, visit Celtic Academy.com.

The Dwyer School of Irish Dance was founded by Kathleen Dwyer in 2011 with the mission to develop well-rounded dancers in a positive and supportive environment. With locations in both Dayton and Columbus, Dwyer School offers a competitive and recreational Irish dance program for youth and adult dancers.

The Dwyer School is home to CLRG solo regional champions, national podium placers, and multiple world championship qualifiers including Sean Dwyer, currently 6th in the World in the Men’s U21 category.

Over its 12-year history, the Dwyer School has performed on stages all over central and southwestern Ohio.

McGovern Irish Dance is home to many regional, national, and world champion dancers. Their dancers have even gone on to perform in professional Irish dance shows. They provide exceptional Irish dance instruction for youth and adults whether they are just beginning their Irish dance journey or dancing at championship levels. A wide range of classes are offered at each of their 3 studio locations in Dayton OH, Troy OH, and Lafayette IN.

This group is devoted to promoting their Irish culture and instilling the love of dance in their students. They want their students to learn strength, discipline, stamina, and confidence through competing and performing, and most importantly, they want them to love dance and have fun!

McGovern Irish Dance are very excited to dance for you today. They hope to get your toes tapping, heart jumping, and your hands clapping. It is their mission to share their experience and love of Irish dancing with each and every one of their audience members.