In March of 2003, I stumbled into the Irish music scene.  I started playing the whistle that month and discovered I had some talent for it.  The instrument wasn't entirely foreign to me after all...I've been playing clarinet for over 25 years now and used to play recorders for Renaissance music.  In May of that year, I started to attend sessions (a gathering of Irish musicians where we hang around, usually in a bar, share some great tunes, laughs, and drinks).  When I moved home to Syracuse in August 2004, I got heavily involved in the scene, playing sessions nearly every weekend and playing the occasional gig.  In 2005, I picked up the bodhran (an Irish frame drum) and play that as well.  It's become a lifestyle and the entire focus of my social life.  My partner plays the music.  My friends play the music.  It's become a huge part of who I am.

Over the course of the past few years, I've bought many albums and seen many great bands.  My favourites among those I have seen are Solas, Lunasa, Teada, Liz Carroll, and Natalie MacMaster.  I've also had the honour of seeing Boys of the Lough (the very first Irish trad band I saw), Altan, Brian Conway, and many others.