Hudson River Ceili Irish Band from Glens Falls, NY

Hudson River Ceili performs traditional Irish and other Celtic style music and dance. The group especially enjoys high energy dance tunes from the Irish, Quebecois, and New England traditions. Members are Andre Ernst (vocals, guitar and mandolin), Leanne Balfoort (Irish dance), David Jones (fiddle, concertina), and Diane Jones (fiddle). We are available for hire individually or in smaller ensembles as best fits your events. We have experience playing for contra dances and have a broad command of the tunes in the Portland collection. Andre Ernst is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, bouzouki, and mandolin player from the Capital District. Leanne has been studying, competing and performing as an Irish dancer for over 12 years, competing locally and in a regional championships with the Boland School of Irish dance. David and Diane Jones have been playing traditional music in a variety of local groups for over a decade, including Grafton Street Trio. David is a bagpiper with the Galloway Gaelic Pipes and Drums. The group comes together to bring their appreciation of traditional Irish musical arts to audiences in the region. Ceili is an Irish word for a dance party. The Hudson River snakes through the region where the performers all live.