I grew up in Glasgow in an Irish community, immersed in Irish culture. It was our family’s connection to home - Donegal - and there was always an excuse for a sing-song or party. When we moved back home to Ireland, I was extremely fortunate to have wonderful fiddle teachers and I fell in love with music, always knowing I wanted it to be a huge part of my life. Music made me feel and express myself very deeply. I’ve always gravitated toward soulful music and I strive to provide that for audiences when I perform.
After college I released my first album The Seventh veil. I toured and performed at major festivals like Celtic Connections and Festival Interceltique L’Orient. I loved every minute of it and it opened opportunities to work with top artists like Dónal Lunny, Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh and I work regularly with Manus Lunny of Capercaillie. I was privileged to write music for BBC’s Gleann Bheatha and to work with Joleen (Henry) Mc Laughlin on the collaborative commission The Teelin Voyage.
About Me
I quickly started work on my second album An Choill Uaigneach but fell out with music and the fiddle for a while during production. I continued to be involved in music and began teaching in post-primary education. I love the students and music community in our locality which is a really important part of my life. I returned to the studio in 2017, finally released An Choill Uaigneach in 2018 and joined the all female Donegal band The SíFiddlers. The 13 Donegal ladies have great fun performing Donegal music together and love gathering at various concerts and festivals such as Féile an Earagail where the band began.
This year I will refine the balance between creativity and music education with a focus on composing and performing. I hope to travel to new places, meet some wonderful people along the way and take in new experiences. I look forward to collaborating with a variety of musicians and welcome new opportunities to do so.
If you want to find out more or make a connection please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you. Thanks for visiting and I look forward to meeting you somewhere and sometime in the future.
Take care x
— Theresa
Promoter’s Blurb
Hailing from Donegal, Theresa Kavanagh’s fiddle playing and composing has taken her across the globe. As well as her own solo performances and two albums to her name, Theresa is a member of the SíFiddlers and performs regularly with Diane Cannon and Manus Lunny. She has worked with top artists such as Dónal Lunny and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and has performed at Celtic Connections, Festival Interceltique and Ireland’s own Féile an Earagail. From her toe-tapping reels and jigs to her soulful airs, Theresa’s performances will transport you to another world.