Eileen Ivers

Honored June 16, 2018

Grammy awarded, Emmy nominated, London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, guest starred with over 50 orchestras, original Musical Star of Riverdance, Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, Sting, Hall and Oates, The Chieftains, ‘Fiddlers 3’ with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Regina Carter, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, Steve Gadd, founding member of Cherish the Ladies, movie and TV soundtracks including Gangs of New York, Some Mother’s Son, Quest For Camelot, Back to Titanic, Copper (BBC of America), performed for Presidents and Royalty worldwide …a condensed list of accomplishments, headliners, tours, and affiliations. 

The daughter of John and Annie Ivers, of Kiltimagh and Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Eileen Ivers grew up in the Bronx, New York.  “Each year, the bell signaling the last day of school was followed by the roar of the Aer Lingus plane that night!  My father’s employment with the airlines enabled our family to have the joy of living every, entire summer in Mayo.  Each summer’s grand finale was experiencing the music, excitement and comradery of the Fleadh Cheoil” recalled Ivers.  Rooted in Irish traditional music since the age of eight, Eileen learned from beloved Irish fiddler Martin Mulvihill.  She proceeded to win nine All-Ireland fiddle championships, a tenth on tenor banjo and over 30 championship medals, making her one of the most awarded persons ever to compete in these prestigious competitions.  After winning the Senior All-Ireland, Eileen shared the gift of Irish traditional music through teaching out of her home, in college master classes, at folk music education camps (including the Augusta Heritage Center, Swannanoa Gathering, Port Townsend Fiddle Tunes), and at Irish festivals throughout North America, Europe and Japan. 

Irish traditional music has always been at the core of Eileen’s love for music.  After graduating magna cum laude in Mathematics from Iona College and while continuing her post-graduate work in Mathematics, Eileen fully immersed herself in the different genres of music which she experienced growing up in New York.  Although diverse, Eileen’s music is always grounded in respect for Irish tradition.  She’s been called a “sensation” by Billboard magazine and “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin” by The New York Times.  “She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing” says The Irish Times. Ivers’ recording credits include over 80 contemporary and traditional albums and numerous movie scores.  Eileen is hailed as one of the great innovators, pioneers and educators in the Celtic and World music genres.