The 43rd Alma Highland Festival will kick off with world class Celtic Entertainment. We are excited to The Chelsea House Orchestra returning, Mother Grove, and additional entertainment in progress.

Our special guest, Candyce Dunham specializes in teaching any person interested in the harp how to play and have fun doing it. This workshop is especially designed for adults and children of all levels. You will learn some history of the instrument, have a Q and A about the harp, and get to play some Scottish tunes. For those who are new to the harp this is an opportunity to try out and learn about a very unique instrument with a qualified instructor.  Those with harp experience are invited to join in and learn some new tunes and techniques. Come and explore the ancient tradition of the Scottish Harp that is enjoying a widespread resurgence in today's culture.  The workshops are open to all and free of charge. Please stop by Candyce’s  vending area next to Hamilton Commons and sign up. Space is limited. 

Candyce Dunham began her musical career at the age of four in Suzuki piano and Suzuki harp. She was accepted into the Bowling Green State University Harp Program at only age 8 to study with the world renowned harpist Ruth Inglefield.  She has won many accolades including Grand Champion of the American Harp Society competition, finalist of the American String Teachers National competition, a scholarship from the Suzuki Association of the Americas  to study teaching, and was awarded with a full scholarship to the prestigious Eastman School of Music which she attended for Harp Performance.

In 2002 she won the MetLife Award for Excellence in teaching.  She has created harp programs for the Summer Music Festival (Kingston, ONT), The Central College Harp Choir (Westerville, OH) was the director for the Swans Island Music Program (Swans Island, ME) and currently her own harp program, The Dunham Harps Ensemble (Westerville, OH). She currently teaches private Suzuki, Traditional, and Celtic lessons for pedal and lever harp, harp ensemble classes, and harp workshops.  In addition to these on-going commitments, Candyce also teaches seasonal workshops for The Dublin Irish Festival (OH), Dayton Celtic Festival (OH), Kansas City Irish Festival (MO), Taste of Scotland Festival (NC), Williamsburg Scottish Festival (VA).

Candyce will be performing at the Traditional Ceilidh Saturday evening, 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm, in Hamilton Commons. General Admission $5.00.      

Embarr is a 4-member ensemble based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, performs traditional and new interpretations of music from Scotland, Ireland, England, and Appalachia.  Though focused on songs and ballads, they also play jigs, reels, and other traditional Celtic instrumentals as well! 

The band's background is eclectic.  Lead vocalist Ginny Gibbs is formally trained in voice; she sings a number of pieces in Irish Gaelic.  Instrumental efforts are led by Veronica Cieri on fiddle and Charlie Holleman on mandolin.  Veronica studies classical violin at Western Michigan University, and Charlie has had long experience as a vocalist and bluegrass guitar player.  Daniel Bouwman, an experienced guitarist, plays acoustic & electric guitars, hand percussion, and also does vocals. 

Embarr takes its name from a magical horse from Irish mythology, who will bear you to Tir Na N'Og - the land of music, beauty, feasting, and eternal youth; an Irish word meaning "Imagination." 

Embarr, in its current form, has been together for about two years, and has played at several locations in Michigan and Indiana. For more information check out Embarr's website.

 
Mother Grove
Friday, May 28: 8:00 - Midnight
Saturday, May 29: Noon, 7:00 pm, and 9:30 pm - Midnight

The Alma Highland Festival is proud to bring Mother Grove back to Alma! Mother Grove has become major a force on the Celtic music scene. Energetic and powerful with an on-stage chemistry that makes you feel right at home, They seamlessly blend well crafted original songs with traditional Scottish and Irish instruments such as Highland Bagpipes, Pennywhistle, and Fiddle to create a sound defined as 'KILT ROCK'. With lyrics that can be insightful, witty, and often just plain fun, and music that ranges from soaring ballads to raucous pub tunes and 'Kilt Rock-ed' traditional songs, there is something for everyone in Mother Grove's high energy performance.

www.mothergrove.com

Chelsea House Orchestra
Saturday, May 29 - 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 30 - 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm

Chelsea House Orchestra is our very special guest Saturday and Sunday afternoon. 2010 marks the twelfth year at the Alma Highland Festival and we like to think we helped start their most successful career. Alma was the first venue for the newly formed group and since then they have exploded on the Celtic entertainment scene. Chelsea House Orchestra is made of over 30 young musicians performing on violins, violas, cellos, basses, guitars, flutes, oboes, bodhrans, dhembes and harp.They will amaze you with their fiddling skills as the energy level of their performance reaches fever pitch. You will watch in awe as this high school student group displays their musical talents on stage. They have become a tradition here at Alma and we hope you join us Saturday and Sunday for this vibrant performance. A special thank you to Dr. Thomas & Alice Haverbush for sponsoring CHO!
www.chelseahouseorchestra.org