2024.12.16 The Muse

Mentor: Seán Cleland (He/Him/His)

Seán Cleland is an Irish fiddle player, Irish music teacher, and the director of the Irish Music School of Chicago. Seán has been instrumental in fostering traditional Irish music in the city of Chicago for over 30 plus years. Growing up on Chicago's North Side in an Irish-American household, he began classical violin lessons at 7, and at age 9 decided that he would play the Irish fiddle. His Irish musical education throughout the 1970s was inspired and influenced by the legendary Liz Carroll. There were many Irish musicians who had emigrated to the U.S. in the 1950s who took Seán under their wings and mentored him. In 1987 Seán founded The Drovers, and in 2000 he co-founded the Irish band Bohola. Seán began teaching Irish music in 1980; in 1998 he began teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. In 2003, he founded the Irish Music School of Chicago. In 2019 he founded the band Seán Cleland and the Kilgubbin Project (named after the Irish Shantytown on the Chicago River at Division), and in 2024 they released a recording called 'Live at Martyrs.' Seán has taught at such festivals as the Catskills Irish Arts Week, (MAD) Week, the St. Louis Tionol, Milwaukee Irish Fest, California Traditional Arts Society, Ontario Celtic Roots Festival, and Celtic Colours International Festival. Seán also teaches regularly in Ireland.

Apprentice: Jennifer Ingerson (She/Her/Hers)

Jennifer grew up a classical violinist and took joy in playing with symphony orchestras, where she was one of many musicians creating one grand, gorgeous sound together. As a young adult, she discovered Chicago's Irish music community and saw how Irish players could turn simple tunes learned by ear into a communal sound that was just as grand and gorgeous. Symphonies brought written compositions to life, but Irish musicians carried on composing as they played! With their freedom to improvise, drawing from their imagination and their musical tradition, each player brought their own magic to the whole. Jennifer learned what she could of that magic while raising 3 children and working with an organization that serves people experiencing homelessness. In recent years she's found time at last to dive deeper, attending local music sessions and taking a style/repertoire class co-taught by Seán Cleland. A 2022 Master-Apprentice award made it possible to study privately with Seán , and a 2023 award has allowed her to continue. With his expertise and artistry, Seán is helping Jennifer develop the skills and sensibilities that make Irish music Irish, so she can grow as a musician and as a member of this beautiful musical community.