Lily Neill

Lily Neill is recognized as “…part of the new Harp revolution extolling aspects of harp music never previously heard,” 2005 Irish Music Magazine. She was a prize-winner at the All-Ireland Harp competition and has won numerous awards, honours and scholarships for her technical and artistic abilities as well as her original compositions. More recently, Lily was named LiveIreland.com 's “2006 New Female Artist of the Year.”

Lily’s musical style is at once rich in tradition and uniquely her own. Her experiences working with artists from different genres and backgrounds, from folk to classical and rock spheres, have played a major part in shaping and continuing to shape Lily’s music. Central to Lily’s style is her utilization of techniques and repertoire from instruments other than her own. In defining Lily’s style, The Green Man Review writes, “It is delightful to welcome a new talent and one that is brimming with ideas, creative energy and yet has a vice grips-like hold on traditional methods and methodology, while pushing the envelope stylistically.”

Lily began her performance career at a very young age, performing for President Bill Clinton at the age of fourteen. The very next year she was featured as a soloist in the American premiere of John Cameron’s “Missa Celtica.” Lily has since gone on to perform at numerous venues in the United States and Europe, including The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage as well as its Concert Hall with The Chieftains and the late Derek Bell in 2001 & 2002, Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts, the University of Limerick Concert Hall and London’s National Theatre. In February 2007, she was honoured to be Artist in Residence at Strathmore Hall in the United States. Strathmore commissioned a new work from Lily, which she wrote for harp and Japanese koto and premiered at the end of her residency.

Among the festivals at which Lily has performed are Brittany’s renowned Festival Interceltique de Lorient, The Potomac Celtic Festival, Celtic Fest Chicago, the Washington Irish Festival and the Irish Arts Festival in conjunction with the Embassy of Ireland. Lily has also appeared in film and on television and radio: RTÉ/TG4’s “Ardán” and “Céili House” (Ireland), Lähiradio’s “Folk and Roots” (Finland), BBC’s “Late Junction” (U.K.) and NPR’s “Traditions” (U.S.A.), among others.

In 2004, Lily released her debut solo album, “Without Words,” which has garnered an impressive array of reviews and notice since its release. In an interview with “The Irish Echo,” The Chieftain’s Paddy Moloney said, “I got a copy and was just amazed […] I knew she had tremendous promise.” Sweden’s “Hallandsposten” calls “Without Words,” “a thrilling journey across the Irish tradition” and “ Hot Press ,” Ireland’s essential guide to music, gave the album an 8 out of 10 and wrote of Neill: “The CD reveals her to be far more than the superb technician she undoubtedly is….” America’s “Celtic Beat” wrote: “Without Words could only better be entitled Beyond Words. One word for this CD is exquisite. […] this music goes far beyond simply artistry of execution and aesthetics, for it reaches out and entices you into Lily Neill’s world.”

Lily Neill completed her degree with 1st Class Honours at the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick, Ireland, in Spring 2007. She also spent a semester studying music at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. In addition to her performances and studio work, Lily has given master-classes and lectures on the harp’s musical potential and historical background. She continues to perform, teach and record in the United States and Europe.

Please click here to read “Don’t Go Breaking Her Harp”, an article by Chris Slattery that was featured in the Montgomery Gazette in relation to Lily’s residency at Strathmore.