Local & Regional Performers

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.

Laugh, and the fiddle laughs with you…
Deborah L. Clark has followed traditional music across ten time zones: from an Alaskan dance hall to a French pub, and from Nashville’s Music Row and the Billboard Top Ten to a midnight park gazebo.
Deborah has performed, recorded, composed, taught, and mentored for over 30 years.

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.

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.

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.

Chance Brough and Mary Snapp are part of the dynamic Dayton-area group, Jameson’s Folly. Rooted in the rich traditions of Celtic music, they bring timeless music to life through heartfelt melodies and captivating musicianship. Mary’s lyrical voice shines on traditional ballads and rousing rebel songs, while Chance’s fiery fiddle and percussive guitar will have you hanging on the edge of your seat. Let their warmth, chemistry, and passion take you on a musical journey through Ireland, Scotland, and beyond!

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).

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 multiple Regional and North American champions and has successfully placed teams and soloists in the top 5 at regional, national, and world-level events. 

Congratulations to our under 11 mixed ceili team and our 20-dancer Drama team on their 2nd place finishes at the recent 2026 World Championships. Our senior mixed ceili team also took 3rd place, bringing a total of 27 world medals back home!

Over its 15-year history, the Dwyer School’s performances have included the Dublin Irish Festival, Celtic Fest Ohio, Christmas with the Celts, Wright State University’s men’s basketball, the Dayton Dragons, and alongside Irish bands such as the Irish Tenors, Gaelic Storm, Scythian, David Howley and Friends, and Dulahan.

The Dwyer School is excited to be back onstage at the Dayton Celtic Festival! Congratulations to the organizers on a wonderful event!

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.