Katie McNally (fiddle) and Neil Pearlman (piano/dance) return to Meadow Hall with some of the area's finest players for this unforgettable show that will celebrate the Celtic diaspora with toe-tapping tunes from traditions around the globe. Featuring Matt and Shannon Heaton, and Andrea Beaton with Troy MacGillivray.

Fiddler Katie McNally's imaginative and fierce music has been described as "as grounded in the tradition as it is ground-breaking" (Folk Radio UK). McNally grew up playing Scottish and Cape Breton fiddle near Boston and currently tours with her own projects: Fàrsan, Pine Tree Flyers, and the Katie McNally Trio. She has appeared at Celtic Colours, Celtic Connections, Newport Folk Festival, and The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, as well as countless folk venues throughout North America and Europe. In addition to her busy touring schedule, she is the artistic director of the Boston States Fiddle Camp and is a devoted educator who teaches regularly at fiddle camps across the country.

A truly individual voice in the world of Celtic music, multi-instrumentalist and stepdancer Neil Pearlman continues to blaze his own trail making music that ranges from the traditional to the avant-garde, in big collectives and intimate duo projects, including his one-on-one collaborations recorded and published in the podcast TradCafé. Described as "a tremendous pianist" on BBC Radio Scotland, Neil is recognized in many Celtic music circles for his unique approach to the piano. Rooted in traditional Cape Breton piano styles, he adds jazz harmony and the syncopations of funk, Cuban, and Brazilian dance music to create a distinctive and infectious sound.

Troy MacGillivray is from Lanark, Nova Scotia, a small community on St. George's Bay.  From as young as six years old, Troy was impressing audiences step dancing and soon after, fiddle and piano skills. His roots-centered approach comes from a family of proud Scottish heritage where fiddle playing and Gaelic traditions runs in the bloodline. Troy has played and taught around the world – from the North Pole to The Middle East – while solo recordings have received numerous nominations and awards from the East Coast Music Association, Music Nova Scotia, Canadian Folk Music Association, and The International Song Writer competition for instrumental music. In addition to these significant acknowledgments, Troy was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for contributions to culture in Canada, and numerous other awards.

Andrea Beaton is an award-winning fiddler, composer, and recording artist who tours and teaches internationally. Coming from a long line of Cape Breton musicians, composers and dancers, the Mabou native is known for her powerful bow and driving style. Andrea has released seven solo albums, one duo album with her father, Kinnon Beaton, and published three books of her original tunes. She also recorded on an album with her family, The Beaton Family of Mabou, in 2007 for the Smithsonian Institute. Her 2010 CD, Branches, won the East Coast Music Award for Instrumental Recording of the Year. Andrea's latest album, Hindsight is 2020, is a retrospective compilation of tracks from her first six albums.

Boston-based Matt and Shannon Heaton play updated and traditional Irish music on flute, guitar, bouzouki, and voices. With engaging stage presence and masterfully crafted music, the Heatons offer well-travelled Irish music from the heart: a satisfying mix of tunes and songs, new and old, stirring and lively.

Shannon co-founded Boston's Celtic Music Fest and served on its board for 15 years, creating opportunities for hundreds of traditional musicians and dancers. She was named Massachusetts Traditional Artist Fellow in 2016, and she hosts the culture podcast Irish Music Stories. Matt has performed with countless ensembles, including the Karan Casey Band, Boys of the Lough, and Robbie O'Connell. Matt and Shannon are comfortable onstage and have a warm connection with audiences. They are world-class American performers with Irish roots and universal appeal.

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