PROGRAM: SEÁN HEELY’S CELTIC CHRISTMAS

Seán Heely is a distinguished champion fiddler, singer, and harpist who has rapidly established himself as a leading figure in contemporary folk music. He is recognized as a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and an award-winning Irish fiddler, celebrated for his creative versatility and captivating performances. Seán holds a degree in Classical Violin Performance from the University of South Carolina and was named a 2019 Artist in Residence at the Strathmore Music Center in Maryland. His performances have taken him across the globe, gracing prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and he has shared the stage with music legends such as Bonnie Rideout and Liz Carroll. 

In April 2023, Seán received the Dan R. MacDonald Memorial Prize from the Clan Donald Trust for his achievements in Gaelic performing arts. He has recorded four internationally acclaimed albums, including “Dramagical,” which has been featured on BBC Radio and NPR. Currently residing in Washington, D.C., Seán performs with his ensemble, the Seán Heely Celtic Band and maintains an active private teaching studio in Falls Church, VA. As a musical ambassador for the British Embassy’s Scottish Affairs Office and the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, he continues to inspire audiences both locally and abroad through his heartfelt music and dedication to the folk traditions of Scotland and Ireland.