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Devin Shepherd & Marta Cook

Devin Shepherd and Marta Cook have been playing Irish music together for twenty years. Individually, they are two of the United States most respected traditional musicians.

Devin s fiddling is deeply rooted in the Irish music community of Chicago, Illinois. He is the founder and director of the Shepherd School of Irish Music (w ww.chicagoirishmusic.com. ) As a result of his early dedication and promise, he and obtained an Illinois Arts Council Master-Apprentice grant to study with Liz Carroll when he was twelve years old, and won first prize in the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil fiddle competition nine consecutive times. In addition to formal study, Devin learned much from many hours spent playing with Irish-born musicians in Chicago, including Phil Durkin, Pat Cloonan, Frank Burke, Albert Neary, Úna McGlew, and Anne Scully. He was also deeply influenced by master fiddler James Kelly, who stressed the importance of legendary fiddle masters such as Bobby Casey, Michael Coleman, John Doherty, and Julia Clifford. As a performer, Devin has toured Europe and North America, and is currently finishing his second album as a member of the band Bua.

Martas music on the harp is greatly inspired by her love of the music of the fiddle and uilleann pipes, and particularly influenced by the legacy of those traditions in Chicago. She is also well-known as a versatile accompanist. In recent years, Marta has traveled extensively, performing and teaching throughout Europe and North America. Highlights include the World Harp Congress (Vancouver,) Spoleto Festival USA (Charleston), Pritzker Pavilion (Chicago), Espace Culturel Bertin Poirée (Paris), The Irish Centre (Leeds), and every major North American harp festival. Having worked as a studio musician in Chicago and New York City, her playing has been heard on many albums, including Yo-Yo Ma's GRAMMY® - award-winning2010releaseS ongsofJoyandPeace .Martaisasponsored artist of William Rees Instruments.