Alison Perkins

Alison is one of the brightest young musicians on the US Midwest Irish music scene. She is a skilled musician, singer and charming entertainer. She has performed at such places as the nationally respected Ark in Ann Arbor, MI, the prestigious Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and countless festivals and other venues.

Alison grew up in a household full of music. She started singing at the tender age of eight, mostly out of jealousy towards her younger brother Asher, who was getting loads of attention for his button accordion playing. She soon discovered that she had a knack for it, and despite her extreme shyness, she began winning competitions at local feisianna. At ten years old, she was bitten by the tune bug, and began learning to play the tin whistle, helped along by her father, Jim Perkins. At twelve she began to take fiddle lessons from Clare-man Mick Gavin and later with friend Marty Somberg, both very-well respected fiddlers.

Alison holds countless wins in Irish music on fiddle, tin whistle and singing both as a solo and in groups.
Alison has had the honor of recording with many fine musicians, such as Michigan-based Folk act Mustard's Retreat on one of their latest CD's, "A Gathering of Moments". She was also featured with her band Finvarra's Wren on a compilation CD for Blissfest Music Festival, which also includes such musical luminaries as Tom Rush. In the late summer of 2007, Alison was invited to play fiddle with Sean Keane, one of Ireland's top singers for a short two-week tour through the U.S. and Canada.

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Irish Music Teacher

Alison is also an exceptional teacher of Irish music on fiddle and tin whistle. At only age thirteen, she began teaching tin whistle to young children for the Detroit Irish Music Association (DIMA), the Detroit branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Now her talent and years of experience have made her a much sought after instructor in the Detroit Michigan area. She loves to help instill an authentic Irish style both in students who are beginners or those that have years of training.

She has also coached (and won with) several groups competing in Irish Traditional Music.

Alison is a long-time member of Detroit-based Irish band, Finvarra's Wren.

Contact Alison for information about Irish music lessons.

ceili007@gmail.com

Irish Fiddle and Tin Whistle lessons

Hear her here with Finvarra's Wren.

VIDEO

Alison performing at the All-Ireland Competitions in Donegal, Ireland.

Alison loves passing her knowledge on to her own students and is available for teaching tin whistle, fiddle, and studio recording,

Check out Alison's Myspace: