Ranked among the “100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists” by DigitalDreamDoor.com, Robin Bullock has been hailed as “one of the best folk instrumentalists in the business” by Sing Out! magazine, “breathtaking” by Guitar Player magazine and a “Celtic guitar god” by Baltimore City Paper. His honors include Editor’s Pick and Player’s Choice Awards from Acoustic Guitar magazine, multiple Washington Area Music Association WAMMIE Awards and a Governor’s Award from the Maryland State Arts Council. A longtime touring sideman with Grammy Award-winning folk legend Tom Paxton, Robin now performs solo, with guitarist Steve Baughman, and with four-time National Scottish Harp Champion Sue Richards, and teaches guitar, mandolin and cittern via Zoom and Skype from his home studio in Black Mountain, North Carolina. http://www.robinbullock.com 

Chris Norman’s influential work as a flute maker, performer, composer, recording artist, and visionary community builder has earned him worldwide recognition. His flute playing has appeared on more than 40 recordings and can be heard featured on numerous Hollywood soundtracks. For nearly 30 years, Chris has run the preeminent music festival focused on the flute, held in Nova Scotia: Boxwood. Chris performs on the small pipes, and penny whistle in addition to the wooden flute. www.boxwoodfestivals.com

A fiddle and hammered dulcimer player of 40+ years, Ken Kolodner is widely known as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players in the U.S. Called “a world-class instrumentalist” by Sing Out!, Ken’s credits include 20+ CDs, an Emmy nomination, an “Indie” winner, a #1 World Music Billboard title (Walking Stones which has over 5 million listens on Spotify), and various books on the hammered dulcimer (and fiddle). As a community builder, Ken has run the prestigious Sandbridge Hammered Dulcimer Retreat (known as “Sandbridge”) for 20 years, attracting players from around the U.S. and beyond. The oceanfront retreat runs for six weeks typically attracting 150+ players from around the world. In 2022, Ken Kolodner released a recording of Kolodner’s arrangements for two hammered dulcimers with Mary Lynn Michal: Out from the Shadows. Ken has recorded several CDs with Elke Baker including On a Cold Winter’s Day. www.kenkolodner.com

Hailed as a “defining voice in the contemporary banjo community,” Baltimore-based clawhammer banjoist Brad Kolodner represents the next generation of Old-Time musicians pushing the boundaries of the tradition into uncharted territory. Regarded for his delicate touch, expressive style, and original compositions, Kolodner has rapidly gained national attention for his unique approach to the banjo. A six-time finalist in the banjo contest at the Appalachian String Band Festival (Clifftop), he is on one hand rooted in tradition and on the other fiercely innovative. Off the stage, he is an acclaimed teacher, award-winning radio broadcaster for Folk Alley and Bluegrass Country Radio, jam leader, festival organizer, community builder and ambassador for Old-Time and Bluegrass music. www.bradkolodner.com

Rachel Eddy grew up in a musical family steeped in the traditions of Appalachian music and dance. Now based in Washington, D.C., they are known throughout the world as both a dynamic and emotionally powerful performer, and an engaging, thoughtful teacher. Rachel’s soulful singing and multi-instrumental finesse—including fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin—may be heard on numerous solo and collaborative recordings as well as at dances and jam sessions, where Rachel is dedicated to fostering community and sharing a love of music with others. Rachel Eddy is a native of West Virginia who grew up in a musical family steeped in the traditions of Appalachian music and dance. Rachel’s soulful singing and multi-instrumental finesse—including fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin—may be heard on numerous solo and collaborative recordings as well as at dances and jam sessions, where Rachel is dedicated to fostering community and sharing a love of music with others. Rachel performs in The Ken & Brad Kolodner Quartet. www.racheleddy.com

Rooted in the sounds of American-born music Baltimore based bassist, Alex Lacquement has crafted a unique style that is dazzling, lyrical, and transcends musical genres. Whether on stage playing jazz, bluegrass, old-time, or playing with singer song-writers his tone is unmistakable and joy for performing is obvious and infectious. In addition to being an energetic, assertive, and groovy ensemble player and imaginative soloist, he is a skilled arranger, composer and producer. Alex holds degrees in music education from the Eastman School of Music (M.M.) and from James Madison University (B.M.). As a music educator he focuses on teaching community-based music through aurally learned songs and tunes, and dance. When he is not on the stage performing, he can be found cultivating Baltimore’s Bluegrass scene, curating concerts at Music on the Square, and making social dance happen via the Baltimore Honky Tonk. www.alexlacquement.com

Sean McComiskey is among the most innovative young performers on the button accordion, with a unique harmonic style that has earned him a spot in the pantheon of Irish accordionists far beyond his native Baltimore. As the son of legendary button accordion player and National Heritage Fellow Billy McComiskey, Sean has been surrounded by Irish Traditional music his entire life and has developed a deep appreciation for the rich tradition of which he is a part.

Patrick McAvinue is an American fiddler and private music educator. He is the winner of IBMA's 2017 Fiddle Player of the Year. McAvinue is a native of Hereford, Maryland. He began playing fiddle at age 7 and was trained as a classical violinist. At age 10, Peabody graduate Amy Hopkins taught him fiddle tunes from all over the world. McAvinue formed the band Charm City Junction with Brad Kolodner, Sean McComiskey, and Alex Lacquement in 2014. After touring for many years with Audie Blaylock & Redline and Dailey & Vincent which included dozens of performances on the Grand Ole Opry, Patrick is currently a member of the US Navy Band Country Current.

Elke Baker is a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, “and it's easy to hear why,” according to SingOut!  Magazine. “Baker's fiddle nearly throws off sparks,” reported The Washington Post. She has performed all over North America, Japan, Ireland, West Africa, and Scotland. In addition to serving as Music Director of the Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club since 1993, Elke has been a faculty member at the Washington Conservatory of Music and Artist-in-Residence at Montgomery College. Elke Baker and Ken Kolodner have performed together for 25+ years and released their second CD On a Cold Winter’s Day in 2021, ably accompanied by Robin Bullock and Alex Lacquement.

Jonathon Srour is a four-time tour member of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, traveling and performing from Galway to Jerusalem. Ranked #5 in the world in 2005 for Irish dance, Jonathon also performed with group Hammerstep, which appeared on America’s Got Talent. He was a cast member in Riverdance, and also performed in Magic of the Dance and Feet of Flames. Jonathon has qualified two times to compete in the All-Ireland Championship of Irish traditional music, having won the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Cheoil on the Irish flute. During his competitive Irish dancing career, he tied the record in North America by winning the Senior Belt three times. Jonathon attended The Winter Solstice Concert since age 10. He joined the fun on-stage 11 years ago and has dazzled the crowd ever since.

Claire Shirey is an accomplished Irish dancer residing in Nashville, TN. In 2023, she achieved certification as an Irish step dance teacher (T.C.R.G.) through An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha and currently teaches at the Scott-Ellis School of Irish Dance in Nashville. Although she retired from competitive dancing in 2016, she remains active in performances. Claire earned her degree in Communication Studies along with a certificate in Music Business from the University of Georgia. Keeping it in the family, Jonathon Srour and Claire Shirey are married!

You might notice the last name! Keeping in the family tradition, Chris Norman’s daughter Evangeline brings a fresh voice to the show, joining the concert in 2023. Evangeline lead the ensemble with Florence and The Machine’s “Cosmic Love” in 2024. A student at St. Lawrence, NY, Evangeline is a vocalist and guitarist.