Celtic Journeys is an evening of songs, familiar and unfamiliar, from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and America. It is a concert of beautiful, fun. and uplifting songs, and of the history of how some of this music immigrated to America, along with our ancestors.
Jeanne Conard Jones is an American concert singer whose large repertoire ranges from the art songs of most European countries, through oratorio and opera, to the comic and romantic songs of composers such as George Gershwin and Cole Porter. She holds university degrees in choral conducting and vocal pedagogy and teaches singing. Jeanne also gives workshops on singing technique for choir singers, and on choral conducting technique.
Jobe Baker-Sullivan, pianist and leader of the ensemble, has been a long-time teacher, supporting the Birmingham Irish Association. Jobe says, “Ensuring that Celtic music is at the forefront of our minds is an intense passion of mine.” Jobe has also composed music for the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, the late Jack Dromey MP, the arts organisation Secret City, Birmingham New Street Station and St. Brigid’s Day, all in a traditional Irish style.
Lynn Kay is the founder and CEO of Beat It Percussion which uses rhythm and sound to support good mental health. She began playing cello aged 12, and her main focus is on early and baroque music. With her Irish ancestry, Lynn is intrigued and delighted to take part in Celtic Journeys.
Originally hailing from Poland, Jan Stachula is a multi-instrumentalist and accomplished Baritone who works within the local folk music scene. Jan is the resident musician for the Black Country charity, “Options For Life” and dedicates much of his professional time to helping people with disabilities access music.