SOPHIE & FIACHRA  🍀

Performs Friday 10:30-11:30am, Saturday 10:30-11:30am, & Sunday 11:45am-12:45pm

DUO

Described as “Invigorating” by The Irish Times, Sophie & Fiachra take the Traditional Music of Quebec and Ireland and mate it in a unique way, remaining true to their roots while creating a new and original sound.

Their sound is rooted in the Fiddle playing and singing of Quebecoise Sophie Lavoie, the uilleann piping and banjo playing of Fiachra O’Regan from Connemara in the West of Ireland. “This is Irish Music with a Quebecois Twist at it’s very, very best” said Mike Harding. This is no surprise given Sophie & Fiachra’s track record with delighted audiences throughout the world – and their deep love for, and intimacy with their respective musical traditions.

SOPHIE LAVOIE

Sophie Lavoie is a fiddler, pianist, singer and composer from Lac-St-Jean in Québec. She has played in various Quebecois bands including L’attisée, Tu m’en diras tant and Grosse Isle. Since 2008, she has been touring with Irish piper Fiachra O’Regan. Sophie & Fiachra has recorded 5 albums together, both as a duo, and in their trio with André Marcahnd. The last 3 have received various nominations at ADISQ and Canadian Folk Music Award.

“One of the rising stars of Québécois music” (fRoots Magazine), Sophie recently completed Masters in ethnomusicology at University of Montreal and has just published her first book Fiddle Playing from the Saguenay River to Lac-St-Jean with Melbay. Her research involves the fiddle style and repertoire of her native region, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
“Lavoie’s vocal performance is especially impressive on the title-track.” -Songlines magazine
“One of the rising stars of Québécois music” -fRoots magazine
“Her tune compositions are lithe and masterful, and her choice of songs is enough to captivate the most casual listener.” -The Irish Times

FIACHRA O’REGAN

Fiachra O‘Regan, from Connemara, on the West Coast of Ireland, plays Irish music on the Uilleann Pipes and Whistle, He is a senior All Ireland Champion on both these intruments. Fiachra has performed throughout the world, touring in his own group as well as with many other artists and groups. He is also saught after as a teacher in private lessons and at festivals. In 2008, Fiachra recorded Aisling Gheal, his first solo album, and has since recorded 5 albums with quebecois fiddler Sophie Lavoie, as well as appearing as a guest on many other albums.