Born and raised in New York of Irish parents, Winifred began playing music at an early age. Her first instrument was piano, which she learned from her father who was himself an accomplished pianist and jazz trumpeter. His love for classical, jazz and traditional Irish Music was a great influence on Winifred and ultimately laid out a colourful and eclectic musical direction. She began fiddle and Irish dance lessons in the then bustling Irish scene in New York in the 1970’s. Her fiddle teacher was the late Maureen Glynn and her dancing teacher was the great Donald Golden. Throughout these years she participated and competed in many fleadhs and competitions in the US and Ireland, winning the US National Dance Championships a record nine years in a row.
At this time,as a teenager, she was also pursuing a path in classical music and ultimately won a full scholarship to attend Mannes College of Music (prep division) in Manhattan, , for violin, where she studied with Russian violinist Leri Slutsky. She then went on to earn a degree in Music from the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where she studied with Japanese violinist Masuko Ushioda.She also spent 3 summers at the Aspen Music Festival where she studied with Paul Kantor. This combination of both classical and traditional backgrounds helps to define the style that is so identifiable and associated with Winifred’s playing. In demand as a dancer, fiddle player and studio musician, she has worked with many of the finest musicians on the Irish Music scene. She has played and recorded with Sharon Shannon, Pierce Turner, Richard Shindell,Patty Larkin, Eileen Ivers, Liz Carroll, Declan O’ Rourke, Rosey, and many more.
Her meeting and ultimate collaboration with Seamus Egan saw the start of the Irish American band SOLAS which has been received successfully worldwide. Solas has been critically acclaimed for it’s live performances, timeless recordings and extraordinary musicianship, being cited by the Boston Herald as “the best Irish Traditional band in the World.†As a founding member of Solas, her dedication to the bands relentless touring, recording and work schedule remains a top priority.
Winifred released two solo albums in 2002 – “Just one Wish†and “The Pleasures of Home†to critical acclaim in the U.S. and Ireland
Her most recent project is a duet album with fellow solas bandmate Mick McAuley called "Serenade" released on the Compass label in 2006.
Her discography includes 2 solo albums. "Just One Wish" on the Shanachie Label, "The Pleasures Of Home" on the Cracker Barrell music series and 8 Solas albums. She has also appeared on numerous albums across the celtic and folk genres. She was a full time member of the Sharon Shannon band in the mid nineties with Lunasa members Donagh Hennessy and Trevor Hutchinson and recorded two albums with Sharon. "Each Little Thing" and more recently "The Sharon Shannon Collection" She is currently working on a new solo album, new Solas album and new duet recording with Mcauley. Stay tuned.....
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