Read about the Incredible Musical Quartet on the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Tour
A special shout-out to the amazing quartet of musicians touring with the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Tour, now in Boston, Massachusetts at the Boch Center Wang Theatre.
The band consists of Musical Director Mark Alfred on drums, percussion and bodhran; Tara Howley on uilleann pipes, long whistle and concertina; Haley Richardson on fiddle; and Emma Frampton on soprano saxophone. Read more about them below.
Here is a list of the entire cast of dancers and musicians on the tour.
Tara Howley
Uilleann Pipes
Tara is an award winning multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer from Clenora, Co. Clare. She is a two-time senior all Ireland champion on the uilleann pipes. Starting both classical and traditional music at the age of 4, Tara has numerous all Ireland titles in solo competitions and with bands and groups in various instruments such as concertina, fiddle, drums, mouthorgan, piano, whistle and uilleann pipes. In 2014 Tara toured Britain and Ireland with the group Macalla na hEireann and The Echoes of Erin. She produced and launched her debut solo album in April 2015 and is currently studying Irish music and dance in the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick.
Haley Richardson
Fiddle
Haley is a virtuosic musician, whose talent has astounded audiences around the world. She has garnered a number of prestigious awards including both Junior and Senior Fiddler of Dooney titles and multiple All Ireland championships. She recorded her debut CD, Heart on a String at only twelve years old and in March 2015, produced and released a charity CD entitled Music for Mercy—a compilation featuring donated tracks from talented young musicians on both sides of the Atlantic. When the Wind Blows High and Clear, released in May 2020 is Haley’s most recent CD recorded with Canadian multi-instrumentalist Quinn Bachand.
Emma Frampton
Saxophone
Since graduating from Leeds College of Music with a BA (Hons) in Jazz, Emma has relocated to London and has established herself as much in demand session musician. Over the years Emma has toured throughout the World for Hedkandi, & Fierce Angel, as well as performing with Olly Murs, John Newman, Busted, Mr. Hudson, The Ting Tings, Patrick Wolf to name a few.
Mark Alfred
Drums / Percussion / Bodhrán / Musical Director
A native of Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Mark Alfred studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Performing Arts College in Dublin. Most recently he recorded drums and percussion on Bill Whelan's new Riverdance 25th Anniversary Album. He made his debut on London's West End with the Hit show Come From Away at London’s Phoenix theatre. He was part of the team of Composers, Musical directors and band to receive an Olivier Award for outstanding Achievement in music. Mark was also Musical Director with International show Heartbeat of Home.
Tourism Ireland, which markets the island of Ireland in North America, is a big supporter of the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Tour. It created a special video of the cast at some of Ireland’s iconic sites, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant’s Causeway and Dublin.
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