Artists

Andre Ernst (vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonium)

Andre Ernst is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, bouzouki, and mandolin player. Born in the Catskills and raised in New York’s Capital District, Andre has played stringed instruments since he was 8. You may have seen him at a Capital District Irish session or at your local farmers market singing Celtic ballads, his own compositions, or just thrashing out a trad tune with a colorful group of musicians.

Over the years he has played many local venues such as Caffè Lena, the Parting Glass in Saratoga, Powers pub in Clifton park, the Valatie community theater, and the Hudson River Music Hall, as well as many other locations in the capital region and throughout New York state. Andre is recently returned from Europe and touring the venues, sessions, and pubs there.

Leanne (Irish Dance, Whistle, Bodhrán)

Leanne has been studying, competing and performing as an Irish dancer for over 12 years. Her love of traditional Celtic music combined with the challenging rhythmic movements is what makes it so personally fulfilling and fun to share with with others. She continues to compete locally and in a regional championship with the Boland School of Irish dance, Green Island.

Recent Performances: 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Oireachtas (Adult Championship, Adult 4-hand, and 8-hand Ceili (1st place)); Strand Theater, Hudson Falls, NY, March 2019; Shaker Pointe, Watervliet, NY, March 2019; First Night Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY, December 2019

Diane Jones (fiddle)

Diane started violin as a child and studied for a year at the Crane School of Music. She took up the violin as fiddle later on and studies tunes from a variety of genres.

Diane attended the Willie Clancy Summer School in Ireland in 2006 and Catskills Irish Arts Week in 2007 and 2010, as well as the East Coast Tionol in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Diane has been playing with Grafton Street Trio since 2009.

Recent Performances: Clifton Park Contra Dance, October 2019; Contra Dance, Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY, July 2019; Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council Festival, Glens Falls, June 2019; Strand Theater, Hudson Falls, NY, March 2019; Shaker Pointe, Watervliet, NY, March 2019; First Night Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY, December 2019

David Jones (fiddle, concertina)

David Jones plays fiddle and concertina. From 2000-2009, he was a bagpiper with the Adirondack Pipes and Drums of Glens Falls and he also played fiddle in the Capital District MegaBand in 2010 and 2012. He played with Grafton Street Trio, 2009-2020. He is currently a bagpiper with the the Galloway Gaelic Pipes and Drums of Glens Falls.

Some Performances: Clifton Park Contra Dance, October 2019; Contra Dance, Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY, July 2019; Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council Festival, Glens Falls, June 2019; Strand Theater, Hudson Falls, NY, March 2019; Shaker Pointe, Watervliet, NY, March 2019; First Night Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY, December 2019