Backed by energetic rhythms on octave mandolin, Abby shares her rich soaring voice in Irish Gaelic and in English. As a native Texan, her love of Irish songs and tunes has been a true journey of discovery. She enjoys unlocking the treasures of beautiful music often hidden behind the veil of a language strange to our English speaking eyes and ears. Since 2004, Abby has been performing Medieval and Irish music at festivals and concert venues nationwide. With the release of her first solo Irish CD, Éíníní, in 2008, she has become a growing voice on the Irish music scene.
Abby received her BS in Music Education from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas in 1997. While there she participated in many opera and musical theater productions including the lead role as Laurie in Copland's The Tender Land and a liebeslieder singer in Sondheim's A Little Night Music. She studied voice with Dr. Walter Foster and theatrical music with Dr. Frieda Gebert.
Abby regularly travels, performs, and teaches workshops at fairs, festivals, universities and other formal concert venues across the country. Her solo act consists of Medieval songs, Irish songs in the Irish language as well as some American and Celtic folk songs all accompanied by her Octave Mandolin. In February 2006, Abby began learning the Irish language with the Gaelic League of Austin and with long distance teachers via modern technology.
She has been performing nationwide with Istanpitta Early Music Ensemble as lead and harmonizing vocalist, saz & lute player, percussionist on frame drums and tabor, and energetic, audience interacting storyteller since March 2004. Abby has been an active member of the Texas Early Music Project, directed by Daniel Johnson since January 2006.
Visit Abby's MySpace page for full tracks from her new CD, Éiníní, and tracks from Istanpitta's newest CD, Exiled.
In the past, Abby has been honored to be a member of Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble directed by Dr. Kenneth Sheppard, Texas Star Chorus directed by Pat Oliver, and Piping Rock Singers directed by Dr. Katherine Wallace.