“Bringing It Home,” SFMS’s program featuring local folk artists, is celebrating this year’s PCA Apprenticeships in Traditional Arts and you are invited to the party.

Join us for performances, demonstrations, and stories shared by this year’s apprentices and the master artists who mentored them. And after that, join us for an open Irish music session.

Feeling inspired? Ask SFMS folklorist Amy Skillman, who will be hosting the event, about submitting your own apprenticeship application in spring 2024!

Irish harp with Mary-Kate Spring Lee and Grainné Hambly

Master performer Grainné Hambly lives in Ireland, but Zoom made this apprenticeship possible. Already an outstanding player, Mary-Kate has progressed even further. This May she placed first in two Irish Harp categories in the Mid-Atlantic Comhaltas Celtóirí Éireann competition (fleadh), making her eligible to compete for an All-Ireland title this summer.

Wood Carving with Aron Rook and Jim Hiser

Visual artist Aron Rook sees a cultural connection between the expressive carved wooden masks of Talchum theater (practiced in her native land of Korea) and the amusing caricatures created by Jim Hiser here in Central Pennsylvania. Aron’s apprenticeship with Jim is moving her toward her goal of carving faces that are expressive, authentic and unique.

Irish Music on Hammered Dulcimer with Mary-Grace Autumn Lee and Lexie Boatright

The hammered dulcimer is an uncommon instrument in Irish traditional music, but Grace is an accomplished player, well versed in the Irish repertoire. Studying with Lexie Boatright is helping Grace find a true “Irish voice” on the dulcimer and become more confident in gatherings of Irish music players. Grace placed first in the "Miscellaneous Instruments" category in the Mid-Atlantic fleadh this May, making her a candidate for an All-Ireland title of her own.

JOIN US FOR SOME TUNES!

You might recognize Mary-Kate Spring and Mary-Grace Autumn as two members of the nu-Celtic band Seasons, which has been a fixture on the local Irish scene for a couple of decades now. Bring your instrument and join these two terrific musicians for a lively Irish session.