Michael McDonagh
Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Mike comes from a multi-generational musical family. His father, Mike McDonagh, was Midlands champion accordion player in the 1950s, leader of the Connacht Ceili Band, and co-founder of the Norwood Irish Music Club. Mike started playing dance halls with his dad at a very young age and has played with numerous bands over the years. His style of percussion and rhythm add a unique lift to traditional Irish music.
Johnny Coe
Guitar, Vocals, Bodhran
Boston based with Galway roots, Johnny has been a performing and recording artist throughout the United States and Ireland for many years and has been a fixture of the Boston Irish, Folk, and Rock scene. Known as a singer of older and contemporary folk and traditional songs, he is also known for his dynamic rhythm guitar. In addition to his guitar and vocals, Johnny is an accomplished bodhran player and teacher.
Wynter Pingel
Fiddle, Concertina
Wynter grew up in a small town in Northern Wisconsin. Early instruction in both violin and piano helped develop her love of music. After earning her bachelor's degree in vocal performance, she moved to Boston and earned a professional diploma in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music. In 2006, she received the Robin Coxe-Yeldham Women in Audio award from Berklee. She has worked as a narration editor in a recording studio, a proofreader at National Braille Press, and currently works as a freelance musician, playing traditional Irish music on fiddle and concertina in the Boston area. Wynter is the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Fleadh senior champion on concertina.
Stuart Peak
Banjo, Whistle, Vocals
An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Stuart is a highly sought-after session leader, performer, and teacher of Irish music. Stuart is a champion accompanist, an Irish banjo champion, and an esteemed tin whistle player. As a teacher, Stuart has taught workshops at the New England Folk Festival, the Irish Cultural Centre of New England, and the prestigious South Shore Conservatory. Stuart is considered one of New England's premier Irish musicians and has appeared in many media publications, radio, and television.
Stephen Devaney
Button Accordion
Stephen hails from Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. As a young boy, he would accompany his mother to the local tech school every Friday night for a ceili dance. Inspiration and encouragement to play the box came from his two uncles, Frankie McDonagh and Seanin Phat Mylea McDonagh. Their love for Irish music and enthusiasm to share their knowledge allowed him the opportunity to learn from the best of the best in Connemara and beyond. Stephen moved to Boston in 1989, playing in many local sessions. Celebrated musician and friend, Denis Galvin, served as a further resource for expanding Stephen's playing and repertoire. You can find Stephen playing with Connacht and at various sessions in the Boston area.