Described as “Invigorating” by The Irish Times, Sophie & Fiachra take the Traditional Music of Quebec and Ireland and mate it in a unique way, remaining true to their roots while creating a new and original sound.

Their sound is rooted in the fiddle playing and singing of Quebecoise Sophie Lavoie, the uilleann piping and banjo playing of Fiachra O’Regan from Ireland. Their sound is sweetened all the more by Gaelic and French Canadian song arrangements.

“This is Irish Music with a Quebecois Twist at it’s very, very best” said Mike Harding. This is no surprise given Sophie & Fiachra’s track record with delighted audiences throughout the world – and their deep love for, and intimacy with their respective musical traditions.

Sophie Lavoie, from Lac-St-Jean in Québec. She first was introduced to the world of music when learning the classical piano at a young age. Then she became interested in the traditional music of Québec. She started to learn the fiddle by listening to legendary fiddlers from her region such as Louis Pitou Boudreault. In 2004, she completed studies in classical music with a bachelor degree in Piano in the University of Montreal. She created with two other musicians the successful band “L’attisée” who play traditional music from Quebec. From 2005 to 2008, Sophie performed with L’Attisée all over Québec and in Ireland, and record the eponymous album L’Attisée , which was nominated as Album Traditional of The Year at ADISQ 2011. In 2008, she met the Irish piper Fiachra O’Regan and started with him this new duo Sophie & Fiachra. Together, they produced the albums Sophie & Fiachra in 2010, Rewind in 2014, and Un Canadien errant in 2016. Sophie is currently researching on the fiddle style of her native region Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean for a project funded by CALQ, and composing traditional music and songs as part of a project funded by the Canadian Art Council.

Fiachra O‘Regan, from Connemara, on the West Coast of Ireland, plays Irish music on the Uilleann Pipes and Whistle, He is a senior All Ireland Champoin on both these intruments. Fiachra has performed in Canada, Australia and Europe, and has on played stage along with artists such as The Chieftains, Paddy Keenan (bothy band) and Seán Cannon (Dubliners). He is also saught after as a teacher in private lessons and at festivals. He has appeared on many albums as a guest and In 2008 he recorded Aisling Gheal, his first solo album (buy). More info can be found on his website: www.fiachrapipes.com.
Sophie & Fiachra with Andre Marchand playing McGuires March at Mémoire et racines in 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=MVwXDx2iElM

Presented by Young Tradition Vermont & the Burlington Violin Shop as part of the Burlington Irish Heritage Festival. $20 suggested donation at the door. Reservations at mark.sustic@gmail.com.