Page 27 - The 16th Percy French Festival: Our Great Disconnect

nell smyth don baker ciara lawless Michael Banahan

Nell is co-director of SWIM (Steiner CPD Dublin born Don is an blues musician, Ciara, who hails from Roscommon, From an early age Michael, a Roscommon
& Teacher Training; Steiner Waldorf inár a singer-songwriter, a television person - is a mature song-writer with a powerful native, has been singing and collecting
measc; and Steiner Waldorf) along with ality and an actor. He plays guitar and voice. She delves into themes of recon- songs. With many years involvement in the
Caroline Kelly and Audrey Flynn. They har mon ica–Mark Feltham (Oasis, Joe necting with the inner-child, healing, and music business he has released a number
have deep backgrounds in Steiner/ Cocker, and Rory Gallagher) rates him as self-discovery. With a successful run on of critically acclaimed albums: three solo;

Wal dorf Kindergarten, Primary, and the great est acoustic harmonica player in the festival circuit she has honed her one with Irish folk duo The Baileys; and five

Secondary school training and teaching the world, as do Charlie McCoy and Bono. stage presence (with hints of Kate Bush with the internationally renowned folk
experience. They have been involved in He has appeared in several films, notably and Florence and The Machine). Ciara group Rig the Jig of which he was a found -
National Associations, long established in In the Name of the Father, On the Nose, began her music journey with lessens ing member. Michael has a passion for
schools, pioneering schools, and in set - and Mia, Liebe meines Lebens. at a young age and later trained at the writ ing story songs. He is the founder

ting up The Alfa Project (Alfa Steiner Academy of Music in Tullamore and com- of GoodWood Music, a record label set
‘You can hear Don’s hand on the guitar,
Secondary School). Nell is the author peted in national and international com- up to support original Irish talent from all
the feeling coming from his voice. He’s
of many plays (some which are featured petitions. Following three singles her genres of music. The label releases records
a brilliant performer and what a great
in the National Youth Theatre’s Playshare debut album, Paint My Soul, was released world wide through partner ships devel -
songwriter!’
scheme) and the books The Breathing on Human Angel Records April this year. oped in the UK and the USA.
Finbar Furey, The Irish Times.

Circle and Drama at the Heart: teaching
‘A world class musician, a talented actor His solo albums include:
drama in Steiner Waldorf Schools. She
and a sound bloke!’ Tecumseh Valley, 2014
has taught both in America and Ireland
Ken Sweeney, Show Business Editor, Liften’ of the Latch, 2014
as a teacher and trainer. Caroline, who
The Irish Sun.
was a founder of ALFA and a direc tor
of Waldorf College, Stroud, in the UK, ‘You can hear the gritty emotion in his
continues to teach. playing, it isn’t phoned in, it is felt,
experienced.’
Barry Egan, Sunday Independent.

His albums include:
Almost Illegal (1989)
Miss You (2000)
Duckin’ & Divin’ (2003)
Rain on the Wind (2006)
My Songs, My Friends (2013)
•24• OUR GREAT DISCONNEC T • PERCY FRENCH FESTIVAL 2024 SPEAKERS + PERFORMER S • PERCY FRENCH FESTIVAL 2024 •25•