The Voice of September

Aoife Clancy is back in Brevard hosting a month-long Irish Song Workshop.

Aoife Clancy is back in Brevard hosting a month-long Irish Song Workshop.

When Bold Life last checked in with Aoife Clancy, just before St. Patrick’s Day, the internationally known Irish songstress was a brand-new resident of Etowah, having moved to the Henderson County town around Christmastime. (Aoife — pronounced “Eefa” — is the daughter of Bobby Clancy of the Clancy Brothers and a former member of the Grammy-nominated Celtic supergroup Cherish the Ladies; she has also performed as a featured soloist with the Boston Pops).

Since arriving in WNC, Aoife has taught at local schools and libraries, collaborating with local Celtic musician Robin Bullock and teaching students about her Irish heritage — sharing music through song, dance, and accompaniment on the bodhrán (Irish drum). This month, she’ll lead an Irish Song Workshop at Transylvania Community Arts Council (Wednesdays on September 7, 14, 21, and 28). The event is cumulative, featuring tunes passed down through Clancy’s family via multiple generations. Students will receive song sheets and a thorough background in the tunes’ history and meaning.

“They’ll also learn a vocal technique to certain unaccompanied songs that will help with ornamentation and pacing,” says Aoife. “A recording device would be good to have — along with a pen to take notes.”

349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard. $80. 2-3:30pm. 828-884-2787. tcarts.org.

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