Charlie Heymann 506 North Carver Winthrop MN 55396 (507) 647-3333 fax (507) 647-4277 heymann@clarsach.net Work Samples Audio: King James Set 'S I do Mhaimeo To hear the work samples, Windows Media Player is required. If you do not have it installed, you can download it for free here: Download Windows Media Player

Clairseach Irish, Scottish Gaelic music Clairseach features Ann Heymann, world renowned performer on the Gaelic harp of Ireland and Highland Scotland. Its golden tones are famous for producing three mystical musics: "crying," "sleeping," and "laughing." Charlie Heymann augments Ann's harpistry with lively dance music and skillfully crafted English and Gaelic songs. With the textures and colors of cittern, flute, tin whistle, button accordion, bones, and bodhran (Gaelic frame drum), Ann and Charlie have been performing for more than 20 years and on four continents. Ann is a Temple Records (Edinburgh, Scotland) recording artist who, since 1988, has taught as a master in the Minnesota Folk Arts Apprenticeship program. Their ensemble is now joined by step-dancing daughters Orla and Honor. Available: Anytime, no mileage restrictions Space: 100 square ft. minimum; sound system can be provided Fee: Negotiable

Additional Information:
Clairseach is Ann and Charlie Heymann, internationally known musicians who take their group name from the Gaelic wire-strung harp of Ireland and Highland Scotland. Ann, called "the pioneer who returned the Gaelic harp to a living tradition," is recognized as its leading performer and exponent and Charlie is a fine singer of Celtic ballads in Gaelic and English. Both Ann and Charlie are accomplished multi-instrumentalists: Charlie on button accordion, guitar and cittern, and Ann adding flute, whistle and bodhran.

The couple juxtaposes a centuries-old harp repertoire with fast paced jigs and reels, interspersed with song and story. They are sometimes joined by their daughter Orlaith, who performs traditional step dancing in full costume. The result is a virtuosic, varied and satisfying program.

Ann's uncovering of information about Gaelic harp techniques and repertoire in archival materials led her to write the instrument's first ever instruction manual, "Secrets of the Gaelic Harp", which is based upon the first tunes that centuries ago were taught to beginning harpers.

However, Clairseach is more than a group that blows the dust off ancient repertoire. While Ann and Charlie are perfectly at home in a traditional session (a setting where players socialize and play for their own enjoyment), they are also at the forefront of international creative artists whose performances definitely "push the envelope."

Their decades of leadership in Celtic music have led to recognition from many prestigious sources. In 1999, Ann performed at the Edinburgh International Festival. Ann has taught at the Oberlin Harp School, serves as an advisor to the American Scottish Harp Society and also is an approved judge for Scottish Harp Competitions at Highland Games. Clairseach has toured for over twenty years, including stops at prestigious local venues such as "A Prairie Home Companion", as well as the University of Limerick's Irish World Music Center, the Australia National Folk Festival and the Lorient Celtic Music Festival in France. Ann and Charlie have released four recordings on their Clairseach label, and they have collaborated internationally with other artists both on recordings and on outreach projects.

Ann is a solo recording artist with Temple Records in Scotland and has served as a master in the Folk Arts Apprenticeship program of the Minnesota State Arts Board.