THE ISLA ENSEMBLE was named after one of the islands in the Hebrides, off the coast of Scotland. The group was previously known as Greensleeves and has performed in the north central Florida area for almost twenty years. They also play Medieval music as The Harpers of Hoggetowne.
JENNIFER DOWNEY and LISA JOHNSON met twenty years ago in the University of Florida Renaissance Ensemble. Unfortunately, Lisa had to drop out of the ensemble because her young son, Martin, was too rambunctious for the baby-sitter. However, this chance meeting created a musical bond between Jenn and Lisa that has lasted until this time. GRACE DUFFY has been a harp student and fellow performer at the Hoggetowne Medieval Fair since she was in 3rd grade. Now, she is performing regularly with Jenn and Lisa. NINA KAHARL recently joined the group on viola da gamba and Celtic harp.
Jennifer Downey, with a degree in music history, is featured on flute, recorder, shawm, krummhorn, vocals, and Celtic harp. Lisa Johnson is featured on Celtic harp and recorders. Grace Duffy is featured on Celtic harp and bodhran. Nina Kaharl is featured on viola da gamba and Celtic harp. They play a wide range of music from Medieval and Renaissance to classical to Celtic to folk.
As the Celtic harp can also be used in healing, Jenn, Lisa, Nina and Grace play Celtic harp for such venues as the Arts in Medicine Program and Hospice.
Jenn, Lisa, Nina and Grace usually play solo, duet, as a trio or as a quartet. However, they sometimes play with other musicians. At the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire and other events, they perform with Kathi Canepa (Celtic harp and vocals). At larger concerts or madrigal dinners, they often perform with the above and other such talented local musicians as Jonathan Gil (keyboard and recorders), Jack Fisher (recorders and krummhorn), Elaine Yontz (recorders and krummhorn), John Johnson (guitar), and Henri Pensis (flute, recorders, krummhorn).
Lisa and her husband, John Johnson, also work part of the year for Unicorn Strings Music Company ( http://www.unicornstrings.com/ ) selling bowed psalteries at Renaissance Fairs. Jenn and Nina also play with the Musica Vera Consort under the direction of John S. Kitts-Turner. Grace is a high school student and a member of the Gainesville Area Rowing Team.
THE ISLA ENSEMBLE performs music based on European and American traditions. The instrumental harmonies include Renaissance, Baroque, Celtic, traditional folk, and modern compositions. The magical sound of the Celtic harp is combined with the sonority of recorders and the deftly executed melodies of the flute. This music, rich with tradition and popular with today’s audiences, is the perfect choice for the truly elegant occasion.
