Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School Instructors
Note: All times are listed in CENTRAL TIME ZONE. Thank you!
Colm Phelan
Instructor Website: http://bodhranphelan.com/
Teaching Bodhrán, Intermediate (T-W-Th), Bodhrán, Advanced (T-W-Th), and Bodhrán Workshop (Friday only).
Portlaoise-born Colm has been playing the Bodhrán since childhood and has been a prominent contender in the All Ireland competition since his earliest years of playing. He is a winner of numerous medals down through the years with his proudest achievements being the first ever World Bodhran Champion, in Miltown, Co Kerry in 2006, and in the same year winning the All Ireland in Letterkenny for the second year in succession. This back-to-back achievement was closely echoed in his unique multiple Ceili Band drum competition successes. An All Ireland Champion on both Bodhran and Ceili Band drums is no mean feat.
He is one of the founding members of Trad super group “Goitse” who have released six critically acclaimed albums and have an extensive year round touring schedule.
In 2012, Colm released his solo CD “Full Circle” which was described has having “thrills and spills by the dozen and is a roller coaster ride of jaw dropping and breath-taking proportions, clearly going where no bodhrán player has gone before” – John O’Regan, Irish Music Magazine
Colm graduated with a BA in Irish Music and Dance at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick in 2011 and in MA in Irish Music performance in 2016.
He is one of the most sought after Bodhran tutors in Irish Music. His teaching ability has seen him lead Bodhrán workshops in France, Germany, Finland, Holland, UK, Italy, USA, at Junior Daveys Bodhran School in Sligo and at 'Craiceann'. In 2016, Colm co-founded the International Bodhrán school "Búla Buzz" alongside Robbie Walsh. The school runs annually in Dublin and attracts students from all over the world.
Quotations:
“Colm Phelan Encompasses Innovation & Tradition with every beat’” - Junior Davey (Five Time All Ireland Champion)
“Colm Phelan is one of Ireland’s leading young percussionists, and an exceptional Bodhrán player, providing new dimensions to the voice instrument” – Niall Keegan, Course Director, BA Irish Music and Dance.
www.bodhranphelan.com