Máiréad Nesbitt
Encyclopedia
Máiréad Nesbitt is a Classical
and Celtic music
performer, most notably as a fiddle
r and violin
ist. She is currently the fiddler for the group Celtic Woman
.
, both well-known music teachers. She has a sister, Frances, and four brothers, Seán, Michael, Noel and Karl, all of whom are musicians. She has been a piano player since the age of four, and began playing the violin at age six.
Her formal musical studies began at The Ursuline
Convent in Thurles
, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and progressed through secondary schooling at the Waterford Institute of Technology
and the Cork School of Music, during which time she participated in the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. Nesbitt completed post-graduate studies at London's Royal Academy of Music
and Trinity College of Music
under Emanuel Hurwitz
.
Besides her family, Nesbitt has stated that her influences range from Itzhak Perlman
and Michael Coleman
to bluegrass artist Alison Krauss
and rock's David Bowie
and Sting.
, Clannad and Sharon Shannon
. She also spent some time as fiddler for the Irish group Coolfin, and recorded an album with them.
Nesbitt got her break in 1996 when she was invited to perform in the Michael Flatley
show Lord of the Dance
. There, she played lead fiddle until 1998, at which time she went with Flatley to his second show, Feet of Flames
. She toured in this production, again as lead fiddler, until leaving in 2001. Nesbitt also played on the original soundtracks to both shows, as well as for the soundtrack to Riverdance
.
Nesbitt released her début solo album in 2001, Raining Up
, which features a broad range of musical styles, both traditional and contemporary. The album features a number of guest performers and members of Nesbitt's own family: her mother, sister, and brothers Seán and Karl. In promotion of the album, she tours with her own band.
In 2004, Nesbitt was invited to play violin for a performance at the Helix Theatre
in Dublin, called Celtic Woman
. The popularity of this and subsequent performances on television and live albums has led to five tours across the United States
. Celtic Woman has released a total of five albums to date: Celtic Woman
, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration
, Celtic Woman: A New Journey
, Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey
, and Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart
.
Nesbitt has worked with the bhangra fusion band The Dhol Foundation
on their 2005 album Drum-Believable
, has composed the original music score alongside Tibor Kasza for the tour of Irish Dance Invasion, a production based in Budapest
, and has played and recorded with the group Afro Celt Sound System
. Nesbitt also performed privately for HRH
The Princess Anne
during her visit to Dublin in September 2004. The Celtic Tenors
Live in Concert DVD released in 2006 also features Nesbitt on several tracks.
Nesbitt is featured as a soloist on Walt Disney's direct to DVD film Tinker Bell
. Joel McNeely
composed music specifically to fit Nesbitt's distinctive style, and collaborated with her to further polish the music for Celtic authenticity.
Nesbitt is a former Fleadh Cheoil
all-Ireland fiddle champion, and was named by Irish Music Magazine as Best Traditional Female in 2003.
Currently, Nesbitt is working on a second solo album as well as an album with her very musical family.
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and Celtic music
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
performer, most notably as a fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
r and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist. She is currently the fiddler for the group Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman is an all-female musical ensemble conceived and assembled by Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance...
.
Background
Nesbitt was born to John and Kathleen NesbittKathleen Nesbitt
Kathleen Nesbitt is an Irish fiddle player and teacher. She is the mother of famous Irish fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt.-Background:Kathleen Nesbitt began teaching fiddle in 1967 and is among the most well known music teachers in Ireland. In 1983, she began teaching an intensive master class at Scoil...
, both well-known music teachers. She has a sister, Frances, and four brothers, Seán, Michael, Noel and Karl, all of whom are musicians. She has been a piano player since the age of four, and began playing the violin at age six.
Her formal musical studies began at The Ursuline
Ursulines
The Ursulines are a Roman Catholic religious order for women founded at Brescia, Italy, by Saint Angela de Merici in November 1535, primarily for the education of girls and the care of the sick and needy. Their patron saint is Saint Ursula.-History:St Angela de Merici spent 17 years leading a...
Convent in Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and progressed through secondary schooling at the Waterford Institute of Technology
Waterford Institute of Technology
Waterford Institute of Technology is a state funded third-level educational institution situated in the city of Waterford, Ireland. The Institute has six Schools and 16 Departments....
and the Cork School of Music, during which time she participated in the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. Nesbitt completed post-graduate studies at London's Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
and Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
under Emanuel Hurwitz
Emanuel Hurwitz
Emanuel Hurwitz CBE was a British violinist. He was born in London with parents of Russian-Jewish ancestry....
.
Besides her family, Nesbitt has stated that her influences range from Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman is an Israeli-born violinist, conductor, and instructor of master classes. He is regarded as one of the pre-eminent violinists of the 20th and early-21st centuries.-Early life:...
and Michael Coleman
Michael Coleman (musician)
-Early years:Michael Coleman was born in Knockgrania, in the rural Killavil district, near Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland. His father, James Coleman, was from Banada in County Roscommon, and a respected flute player...
to bluegrass artist Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss
Alison Maria Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer, songwriter and fiddler. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in...
and rock's David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and Sting.
Career
After finishing her post-graduate studies, Nesbitt joined the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, thus beginning her professional career as a violinist at age 16. She later moved into solo performances, working with a variety of performers, including Van MorrisonVan Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, Clannad and Sharon Shannon
Sharon Shannon
Sharon Shannon is an Irish musician. She is best known for her work with the accordion and for her fiddle technique. She also plays the tin whistle and melodeon. Her 1991 album Sharon Shannon is the best selling album of traditional Irish music ever released there...
. She also spent some time as fiddler for the Irish group Coolfin, and recorded an album with them.
Nesbitt got her break in 1996 when she was invited to perform in the Michael Flatley
Michael Flatley
Michael Ryan Flatley is an American Irish dancer, choreographer, actor, musician and occasional television presenter. He became internationally known for Irish dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger...
show Lord of the Dance
Lord of the Dance (musical)
Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role...
. There, she played lead fiddle until 1998, at which time she went with Flatley to his second show, Feet of Flames
Feet of Flames
Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames is an Irish dance show directed by Michael Flatley and scored by Ronan Hardiman.-Feet of Flames:Hyde Park:Feet of Flames was created in 1998 by dancer Michael Flatley, made famous by the musical Riverdance...
. She toured in this production, again as lead fiddler, until leaving in 2001. Nesbitt also played on the original soundtracks to both shows, as well as for the soundtrack to Riverdance
Riverdance
Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. It originated as an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, a moment that is still considered a significant...
.
Nesbitt released her début solo album in 2001, Raining Up
Raining Up
Raining Up is Máiréad Nesbitt's solo musical album, which was recorded and published in 2001 by Vertical Records, UK. It was also released in North America 2006. The musical CD contains a combination of traditional Irish, Scottish and newly composed Irish and contemporary tunes...
, which features a broad range of musical styles, both traditional and contemporary. The album features a number of guest performers and members of Nesbitt's own family: her mother, sister, and brothers Seán and Karl. In promotion of the album, she tours with her own band.
In 2004, Nesbitt was invited to play violin for a performance at the Helix Theatre
The Helix
The Helix is a building on the Dublin City University campus between Glasnevinand Whitehall on Dublin's Northside, originally planned to be called the Aula Maxima. It was completed in 2002, and it is described as a "performance space" and holds concerts, university conferring ceremonies and...
in Dublin, called Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman is an all-female musical ensemble conceived and assembled by Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance...
. The popularity of this and subsequent performances on television and live albums has led to five tours across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Celtic Woman has released a total of five albums to date: Celtic Woman
Celtic Woman (album)
Celtic Woman is the eponymous debut album of the singing group Celtic Woman. The members of the group were first featured on the PBS musical special also by the same name. With the help of said special, Celtic Woman reached #1 on the World Music charts within weeks and remained there for a record...
, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration
Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration
- Bonus Track on Japanese edition :- Chart positions :- Sales and certifications :...
, Celtic Woman: A New Journey
Celtic Woman: A New Journey
Celtic Woman: A New Journey is the second on-stage production by the group Celtic Woman. The show was filmed at Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland and featured Hayley Westenra as a new addition to the group...
, Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey
Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey
Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey is the fourth studio album by the group Celtic Woman, released on 28 October 2008. It is an Essential Collection album composed of tracks from their self-titled debut and A New Journey albums with a couple reworked, plus three new tracks.Performers in The...
, and Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart
Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart
Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart is the fifth studio album by the group Celtic Woman released on 26 January 2010.Performers in Songs from the Heart are vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt...
.
Nesbitt has worked with the bhangra fusion band The Dhol Foundation
Dhol Foundation
The Dhol Foundation is both a dhol drum institute in London and a musical group playing bhangra music. The dhol school was founded in 1989 by former Alaap member Johnny Kalsi when several musicians asked him to be their teacher, and a first album was released by Kalsi and his students in 2001...
on their 2005 album Drum-Believable
Drum-Believable
Drum-Believable is the second album released by Johnny Kalsi's Dhol Foundation. It was released in 2005 by Shakti Records, and features special guests including Máiréad Nesbitt on fiddle, Ustad Sultan Khan on vocals and sarangi, Sonia Panesar and Bee2 on vocals, and Transglobal Underground as...
, has composed the original music score alongside Tibor Kasza for the tour of Irish Dance Invasion, a production based in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, and has played and recorded with the group Afro Celt Sound System
Afro Celt Sound System
The Afro Celt Sound System is a musical group which fuses modern electronic dance rhythms with traditional Irish and West African music...
. Nesbitt also performed privately for HRH
Royal Highness
Royal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
The Princess Anne
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
during her visit to Dublin in September 2004. The Celtic Tenors
Celtic Tenors
The Celtic Tenors began life as the Three Irish Tenors on RTE's Theatre Nights on October 1995. The group at that time consisted of James Nelson, Niall Morris and Paul Hennessey....
Live in Concert DVD released in 2006 also features Nesbitt on several tracks.
Nesbitt is featured as a soloist on Walt Disney's direct to DVD film Tinker Bell
Tinker Bell (film)
Tinker Bell is a 2008 computer animated film based on the Disney Fairies franchise produced by DisneyToon Studios. It revolves around Tinker Bell, a fairy character created by J. M. Barrie in his play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, and featured in the 1953 Disney animated film, Peter...
. Joel McNeely
Joel McNeely
-Biography:Joel McNeely was born in Madison, Wisconsin. Both of his parents were involved in music and theater, and as a child he played the piano, saxophone, bass, and flute...
composed music specifically to fit Nesbitt's distinctive style, and collaborated with her to further polish the music for Celtic authenticity.
Nesbitt is a former Fleadh Cheoil
Fleadh Cheoil
The Fleadh Cheoil is an Irish music competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann or more commonly known as "Comhaltas" ....
all-Ireland fiddle champion, and was named by Irish Music Magazine as Best Traditional Female in 2003.
Currently, Nesbitt is working on a second solo album as well as an album with her very musical family.
Discography
- Lord of the DanceLord of the Dance (musical)Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role...
(March 1997) - Feet of FlamesFeet of FlamesMichael Flatley's Feet of Flames is an Irish dance show directed by Michael Flatley and scored by Ronan Hardiman.-Feet of Flames:Hyde Park:Feet of Flames was created in 1998 by dancer Michael Flatley, made famous by the musical Riverdance...
(February 1999) - Raining UpRaining UpRaining Up is Máiréad Nesbitt's solo musical album, which was recorded and published in 2001 by Vertical Records, UK. It was also released in North America 2006. The musical CD contains a combination of traditional Irish, Scottish and newly composed Irish and contemporary tunes...
(2001 UK Release; 2006 US Release) - Drum-BelievableDrum-BelievableDrum-Believable is the second album released by Johnny Kalsi's Dhol Foundation. It was released in 2005 by Shakti Records, and features special guests including Máiréad Nesbitt on fiddle, Ustad Sultan Khan on vocals and sarangi, Sonia Panesar and Bee2 on vocals, and Transglobal Underground as...
(2005) - Celtic WomanCeltic Woman (album)Celtic Woman is the eponymous debut album of the singing group Celtic Woman. The members of the group were first featured on the PBS musical special also by the same name. With the help of said special, Celtic Woman reached #1 on the World Music charts within weeks and remained there for a record...
(March 2005) - Celtic Woman: A Christmas CelebrationCeltic Woman: A Christmas Celebration- Bonus Track on Japanese edition :- Chart positions :- Sales and certifications :...
(October 2006) - Celtic Woman: A New JourneyCeltic Woman: A New JourneyCeltic Woman: A New Journey is the second on-stage production by the group Celtic Woman. The show was filmed at Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland and featured Hayley Westenra as a new addition to the group...
(January 2007) - Celtic Woman: The Greatest JourneyCeltic Woman: The Greatest JourneyCeltic Woman: The Greatest Journey is the fourth studio album by the group Celtic Woman, released on 28 October 2008. It is an Essential Collection album composed of tracks from their self-titled debut and A New Journey albums with a couple reworked, plus three new tracks.Performers in The...
(October 2008) - Tinker BellTinker Bell (film)Tinker Bell is a 2008 computer animated film based on the Disney Fairies franchise produced by DisneyToon Studios. It revolves around Tinker Bell, a fairy character created by J. M. Barrie in his play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, and featured in the 1953 Disney animated film, Peter...
(October 2008) - Tinker Bell and the Lost TreasureTinker Bell and the Lost TreasureTinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is a 2009 computer animated film based on the Disney Fairies franchise, produced by DisneyToon Studios, and a Chapter Book, "Tink, North of Neverland". It is a sequel to the 2008 film, Tinker Bell, and revolves around Tinker Bell, a fairy character created by J. M...
(September 2009) - Celtic Woman: Songs from the HeartCeltic Woman: Songs from the HeartCeltic Woman: Songs from the Heart is the fifth studio album by the group Celtic Woman released on 26 January 2010.Performers in Songs from the Heart are vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt...
(January 2010)
Filmography
- Lord of the DanceLord of the Dance (musical)Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role...
(November 1999) - Celtic WomanCeltic Woman (album)Celtic Woman is the eponymous debut album of the singing group Celtic Woman. The members of the group were first featured on the PBS musical special also by the same name. With the help of said special, Celtic Woman reached #1 on the World Music charts within weeks and remained there for a record...
(March 2005) - Celtic Woman: A New JourneyCeltic Woman: A New JourneyCeltic Woman: A New Journey is the second on-stage production by the group Celtic Woman. The show was filmed at Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland and featured Hayley Westenra as a new addition to the group...
(January 2007) - Celtic Woman: A Christmas CelebrationCeltic Woman: A Christmas Celebration- Bonus Track on Japanese edition :- Chart positions :- Sales and certifications :...
(October 2007) - Celtic Woman: The Greatest JourneyCeltic Woman: The Greatest JourneyCeltic Woman: The Greatest Journey is the fourth studio album by the group Celtic Woman, released on 28 October 2008. It is an Essential Collection album composed of tracks from their self-titled debut and A New Journey albums with a couple reworked, plus three new tracks.Performers in The...
(October 2008) - Celtic Woman: Songs from the HeartCeltic Woman: Songs from the HeartCeltic Woman: Songs from the Heart is the fifth studio album by the group Celtic Woman released on 26 January 2010.Performers in Songs from the Heart are vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt...
(January 2010)
External links
- MaireadNesbitt.com - Official website
- Profile at Celticwoman.com