Merry Christmas from the Champagne Céili Band!
Tom Stoeffler and I loved playing for the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance‘s Christmas Céili 2017. Awesome job, dancers! Thanks for including us.
Category: music
December 16 Christmas Ceili
As a proud returning member of the Champagne Ceili Band, I warmly invite you to join us on Saturday, December 16 at 2 pm at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. Christmas Ceili 2017: Christmas in Killlarney will be an afternoon of dance, music, fun, food and community. From the Facebook event page: Watch your favorite Irish… Read More December 16 Christmas Ceili
Fun Home at UI Theatre
There are some professional opportunities that only present themselves every once in a blue moon. I find myself in the midst of one right now as we wrap up what has been a pretty terrible year overall. Please don’t misunderstand. Personally, all is well. My family is delightful. My work is diverse and fulfilling. I… Read More Fun Home at UI Theatre
Family Folk Machine; Calling Me Home
Participating in the band of the Family Folk Machine is one of the great joys of my life and my husband Joe equally loves being a member of the intrepid bass section. I will only be able to participate in the Sunday concert but my fellow fiddlers Caleigh Stanier and Ben Sauder will have the… Read More Family Folk Machine; Calling Me Home
Congratulations to Stella!
Introducing Stella, my featured musician for November and December! How awesome is the self-portrait that Stella provided for her featured musician poster?!! I hope you can tell that the shirt she is wearing reads “Be Who You Are”. Stella embodies that message so well. It also delights me to no end that Stella’s mother Katie… Read More Congratulations to Stella!
Fall Concert 2017
Jennifer Masada and I were thrilled to produce another successful Fall Concert at New Song Episcopal Church in Coralville! Special thanks to all of our wonderful students who worked so hard and played with so much energy and passion and to their families who helped them to achieve their goals. We knew already that Rey… Read More Fall Concert 2017
Sandburg Songbag
The Folk Songs You Never Sang In Grade School team has been quiet for the last couple of months. Keith battled a walnut and the walnut bested him, taking a broken wrist as payment for being trodden upon. Keith has proved to be the tougher nut and his healing is proceeding well so we will… Read More Sandburg Songbag
Congratulations to Dannye and Rob!
Introducing Dannye and Rob, my featured musicians for September and October! There is a special place in my heart for family music-making so it’s an extra thrill to be featuring a mother and son for the first time in my featured musician series. In addition to making music at home, in school ensembles and at… Read More Congratulations to Dannye and Rob!
Little Village Magazine Review
Many thanks to Little Village Magazine and to Kent Williams for his kind review of Folk Songs You Never Sang In Grade School. Some of the best musicians in Iowa City and environs are not chasing a career in music. Keith Reins, for example, is a player and collector of folk songs who also works… Read More Little Village Magazine Review
Iowa State Fair 2017
There is always magic to be found at the Iowa State Fair! Our first stop was Pioneer Hall for the Iowa State Fair Fiddlers Contest. The friendly face of David Bellegante, 9 Time State Grand Champion Fiddler and the annual host of the Iowa State Fair Fiddle Contest, is always a welcome sight. I’ve been… Read More Iowa State Fair 2017
Tara McGovern 