As the old Irish song goes, “It’s a long, long way from Clare to here!” And while Ireland may be more than a wee distance from New Mexico, Irish musical culture is alive and well here. Here are some of the stars of our youthful Irish music scene, as they were introduced to us by multi-instrumentalist Duke City Céilí Band co-founder Harlow Pinson.

Grace Broadhead of Sandia Park began playing Irish traditional fiddle when she was 11 years old and studying with violinist Emily Anslover, while also learning from her collection of recordings of Irish fiddlers. Now 18, she’s a member of two local bands: Duke City Céilí Band and Jug O’ Punch. Grace and New Mexico-raised bouzouki player Ben Williamson recently released their debut album “Tipping the Scales.” (https://gracebroadheadandbenwilliamson.bandcamp.com/album/tipping-the-sc...). Grace has won gold and silver medals for her compositions and performances at major Irish music competitions including the Midwest Fleadh, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ireland and the eComórtas Ceoil in Chicago. She just won the inaugural Fiddler Of London Global Diaspora award. “It’s a huge honor,” Grace said. “I’d like to encourage all kids who have a passion for music to keep practicing. The hard work pays off.” Grace has played on stages and videos with international stars of Irish trad music, including the Sharon Shannon Band, Old Blind Dogs and Gaelic Storm.She is also Youth Coordinator for Sliabh Sandia, the Albuquerque chapter of international Irish music organization Comhaltas, with whom she plays weekly during Thursday evening Irish Music Sessions at Hops Brewery restaurant on 4th Street in Los Ranchos and at festivals supporting New Mexico Irish step dancers. She also plays Irish concertina and tenor banjo. “I grew up listening to Irish Music,” Grace said. “I started out learning from free online tutorials and from Matt Cranitch's ‘Irish Fiddle Book.’ I think I was 13 when I started going to local Irish sessions and the musicians there referred me to the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat in Texas. It has been an amazing opportunity to learn from some of the best traditional Irish musicians. Some of my favorite Irish fiddle players are Frankie Gavin, Bríd Harper, Paul O'Shaugnessy and Fergal Scahill to name a few.”

Lucy Wang was trained in the Suzuki Violin Method and plays Irish fiddle as well as guitar, saxophone and drums. She now studies Music Education at the University of New Mexico and is a member of the Duke City Céilí Band, as well as a regular at weekly Albuquerque Irish music sessions.

Jessie Montoya-Stone of Albuquerque is a young Irish and Bluegrass/Country fiddler who also studies with teacher Emily Anslover and is learning the Suzuki Violin Method. Jessie is a singer-songwriter who loves to perform her original songs with the Duke City Céilí Band, while busking in Albuquerque's Old Town and at the weekly Irish Music Sessions.

Melissa”Missy” Pinson of Rio Rancho started Irish step dancing in 2003 at age 3, after seeing a video tape of “Riverdance.” Encouraged by her Irish music-loving parents, she polished her art with New Mexico’s Coleman Academy of Irish Dance, McTeggart Irish Dance school and Denver’s Wick School of Irish Dance. Melissa competes at the World Champion and National Champion levels of Irish Step Dance and has been invited to participate in the 2022 World Irish Dancing Championships this April in Belfast, Ireland.

Our New Mexico youth have a variety of resources to learn Irish traditional music and dance skills.

The McTeggart School of Irish Dance was established in Cork, Ireland, in 1939 and its New Mexico branch is now in its 25th year. The four McTeggart sisters in Ireland - Peggy, Nancy, Maureen and Betty - were all students of famed dance master Cormac O'Keefe. Maureen McTeggart Hall eventually immigrated to the United States, where she and her daughters set up Irish dance schools in several western American states including New Mexico. Anne Hall, Maureen’s youngest daughter, started out in New Mexico as an intern with the Albuquerque Journal and opened her dancing school here with her sister Pat Hall in 1997. The McTeggart School’s students have reached World Championship levels in international Irish dancing competition. The Albuquerque McTeggart school welcomes students ages 4 and older. (https://irishdancenewmexico.com/contact-us.html)

The Brightburn Academy of Irish Dance in Rio Rancho also welcomes students from elementary school age to adult. Their faculty includes Kate Padilla, a mother of five who learned Irish dancing as an adult and also holds a Master’s in Social Work; Madeline Alford who has 20 years dancing experience and is also an elementary school teacher; champion Irish dancer and author of the book “Rince Fóirne Caillte: Thirty Lost Figure Dances” Jim Mueller; and Lauren Crowe-Mueller, who is an internationally accredited dance teacher and also a SAG/AFTRA actor. (https://brightburnacademy.com/about-us)

Belisama Irish Dance and Rhythm Sol of Santa Fe offers both virtual and in-person instruction in Irish dance for ages 5 and older, and also has a special pre-school and toddler program preparing kids for dance instruction. Co-directors Celia Bassett and Adrienne Bellis and creative movement instructor Natalie Rutiezer bring their students the benefits of their skills in choreography, competitive Irish dancing, singing and teaching. (https://belisamadance.com)

Scottish dancing has its own history, related but distinct from Irish dancing.

Highland Dance Albuquerque, led by championship dancer Emma Trentman, offers instruction for kids and youth in the traditional styles of Scottish dancing. (https://highlanddanceabq.com/about-us)

Of course, an essential way for kids and youth to develop interest in Irish music and dance is to attend sessions held in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos (when covid conditions permit) and Irish and Celtic family festivals. For more information: New Mexico Comhaltas at ccenm.org and the Irish-American Society of New Mexico at https://irishamericansociety-nm.com.