CANADA

JULY 23 – 28, 2023
LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA

Boxwood returns to beautiful & historic Lunenburg, Nova Scotia for a week of immersive programs in traditional & early music. Join us for an unforgettable gathering of musical discovery and fun. 

Register for In-Person attendance

 

 

‘I’m delighted to welcome you back to Lunenburg for a joyous week exploring the roots and branches of traditional and early music with a wonderful and inspiring group of world-class tradition bearers. Boxwood is all about being a space for you to create, discover and join in the evolution of our shared musical traditions in a holistic approach that integrates music, dance, language and crafts in hands-on programs for adults, kids and professionals. I hope to see you there!’

Chris NORMAN – flutes, pipes, director


Tara DIAMOND
Flute, Whistle

 Tara is a pioneering musician from Co. Down, among a group of accomplished flute players who emerged from the greater Belfast area in the late 1970’s, and is renowned for the tone and smoothness of her playing. She learned her early music from her father Leslie Bingham, also a flute player, Paddy Tyrell from Dundalk (flute and sax), Cathal McConnell (flute) and Tom McHale (whistle).  Tara has played on a number of albums including Wooden Flute ObsessionIan SmithAn Ghaoth Aduaidh and Lámh ar Lámh. She teaches at the Frankie Kennedy Winter School, the Willie Clancy Summer School and has also conducted workshops in France, Germany, Denmark, USA and Japan. • In-person & online


Kevin BURKE
Fiddle

We’re delighted to welcome Kevin Burke, one of Ireland’s premier fiddlers. He is inextricably linked in the annals of traditional music with his role in the near-legendary Bothy Band in the 1970s. After moving to Portland in 1980, Kevin Burke and Bothy Band guitarist and singer Micháel O Domhnaill teamed up again and produced two classic albums: Promenade and Portland, which received critical acclaim. Kevin was a founding member of Patrick Street and has toured extensively with the Celtic Fiddle Festival. He was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2002 and received a coveted National Heritage Fellowship. • In-person & online


Rachel BROWN
Recorder, Baroque Flute

We’re pleased to welcome back Rachel, a leading exponent of historical flute and recorder playing. Always in great demand worldwide, she appears as a soloist, orchestral player, teacher, researcher and author. As principal flute and recorder player with the Academy of Ancient Music, the Hanover Band, the Brandenburg Consort, The London Handel Players, Collegium Musicum 90, Ex Cathedra and, more recently, Arcangelo, she has recorded extensively and performed throughout Europe, North and South America, Japan, China and Australia. Her acclaimed solo recordings include the Telemann Fantasias, sonatas and concertos by JS, CPE and JC Bach, Handel, Quantz and Leclair. • In-person & online


Bruce MOLSKY
Fiddle, Guitar, Song, Banjo, Cameo guest

Bruce transports audiences to another time and place with his authentic and personal interpretations of rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook and other musical traditions from around the globe. Best known for his work on the fiddle, his banjo, guitar and his distinctive, powerful vocals, and combination of technical virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit makes a concert hall feel like an intimate front porch gathering. He has collaborated with Mark Knopfler, Anonymous 4, Andy Irvine & Donal Lunny, the BBC TV “Transatlantic Sessions” with Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, and on “David Holt’s State of Music” on PBS and longtime collaborators Darol Anger, Tony Trischka and Mountain Drifters’ Allison de Groot. • In-person & online, Thursday & Friday


Dermy DIAMOND
Fiddle

Dermy comes from Belfast, and learned his early music from local players in Belfast, Antrim and Down, such as Andy Dickson and Gerry McCartney. Later, he and Tara travelled extensively across Ireland, playing and spending time with musicians from many parts of the country, particularly Clare, Cork, Kerry, Donegal and Fermanagh. He has played on several albums, including Thiar i nGleann Ceo (Albert Fry), Yahoo (Frankie Lane), and Lámh ar Lámh (with Pádraic Mac Mathúna). He was a participant in three Music Network tours, with, amongst others, Dolores Keane, John Faulkner, Paddy Keenan, Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Fintan Vallely, Con Fada Ó Drisceoil and Charlie Harris. • In-person & online


Lexie BOATRIGHT
Harp, Concertina, Cello

Alex Boatright is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, performer, and teacher known for her effortless musicality and sensitive musicianship on Harp and Concertina. Alex is the Artistic Director of the Baltimore-Washington Academy of Irish Culture, a non-profit that she founded together with Fiddler Mitch Fanning, which provides children in the DMV area with a rich education in traditional Irish music as well as Irish language, dance, and history while connecting the students with free instrument access and financially equitable travel and learning opportunities. • In-person & online


Eamon O’LEARY
Guitar, Song, Banjo

Eamon O’Leary is a songwriter, guitar, bouzouki and banjo player and  from New York’s Lower East Side, originally from Dublin, Ireland. He has developed his songcraft, appearing live and collaborating with esteemed artists such as Sam Amidon, Beth Orton, Bonnie Prince Billy, Anais Mitchell, Anna and Elizabeth, Martin Hayes, releasing five recordings of original songs including Old ClumpAll Souls, Sister in Song, Bernadette, and The Silver Sun. He has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe, performing and recording with many of Irish music’s great players. Eamon regularly tours and records with The Murphy Beds, with Jefferson Hamer, and with old friends John Doyle and Nuala Kennedy to form The Alt. • In-person & online


Janelle LUCYK
Song, Sea Aires Choir

Janelle graduated in 2014 with distinction from the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles in Belgium where she debuted Lux Aeterna, written for her and the Brussels Chamber Choir by Jan Moeyaert, performed as a soloist and recorded with Musica Fura, Laudantes Consort, and Voces Desuper. Growing up as a violinist, Janelle was the youngest member of Regina Symphony Orchestra and with them performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as soloist in 2009.  Janelle has been captivated by Nova Scotia’s flourishing music scene since arriving in the stunning maritime province. Janelle is also the artistic and administrative director of Musique Royale, which presents concerts featuring early music in beautiful and historic venues across Nova Scotia. • In-person •


Nick HALLEY
Percussion

Nick Halley is a drummer/percussionist, keyboardist, composer, and conductor. As a drummer and world percussionist, he has performed and recorded internationally with a wide range of world-class musicians. Nick is busy as a choral director in Halifax, Nova Scotia as the founder and Artistic Director of the Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir, Director of The King’s Chorus, Assistant Director of the acclaimed University of King’s College Chapel Choir directed by his father, Paul Halley, Cantor and Director for the chapel’s male Compline choir, and Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax. • In-person & online


Adrianne GREENBAUM
Flute

A true pioneer in the Klezmer tradition, recognized as the “Queen of Klezmer Flute”, Professor of Flute at Mount Holyoke College, Adrianne is the foremost purveyor of the klezmer flute playing. Having reached International acclaim as both a klezmer and classical flutist, Adrianne performs on modern, traverso and 19th c. flutes and has performed in many national and international festivals and conventions: as soloist with orchestra at the National Flute Convention, solo recitals at the British Flute Convention, full concerts in the KlezMore Festival in Vienna, tours in US, Scotland and Poland with narrated themes of klezmer, trad and baroque. • In Person & online •


BOXWOOD FLUTE CHOIR
Flute

The Boxwood Flute Choir led by Andra Bohnet explores new and delightful music for this unique sonic universe. The Boxwood Flute Choir is an eagerly anticipated part of Boxwood Canada 2023 and is open to all who are adventurous and love to play the flute!


Marlys YVONNE
Pilates & wellness

Marlys Yvonne is a certified Pilates instructor, studio owner, artist and creator of the Ara Movement and practice based in Palm Springs, CA. Her training as a classical ballet dancer helped to mold the Ara practice, which focuses on thoughtful transitions, mind-focused movement and an educated, contemporary approach to teaching Pilates. Marlys will be presenting three online classes during the week specially designed for Boxwood musicians to alleviate tension and enhance mobility, fluid movement, and strength. Available for all participants, log in and move with Marlys! • Online only •

Please note that this draft schedule covering the main events and classes is subject to minor updates we get a clearer picture of everyone's interests. It doesn't include smaller ad-hoc classes, gatherings and one-on-ones for special topics such as recorder, harp, banjo, small pipes, etc which are available, and will be set up on-site directly with your tutor. You can view it in a separate window and/or download it here. This link will be updated automatically to reflect any changes.

Lodging: is not included in the registration price. Due to changing dynamics, we're no longer able to offer participant billeting with local hosts, however there are more accommodation options than ever in the Lunenburg area and we may have some reasonable accommodation options available; we have reserved a 4br waterfront home just outside of town;  car recommended. You may also put yourself on the waiting list for a shared 4br house in the town of Lunenburg so contact us to learn more about these options.

Please explore some of these excellent resources to find the lodging that suits your budget and requirements:
• Lunenburg Campground
• Nova Scotia Tourism
• Airbnb Lunenburg Vacation Rentals
• TripAdvisor - Lunenburg

Meals: Boxwood is providing three meals during the week on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday all sourced from local organic producers. On Thursday we're organizing a food truck for a picnic at the Lunenburg Academy prior to Bruce's concert (not included in registration). For the remaining two meals during the week, support the many wonderful restaurants, eateries, and small independent grocers in Lunenburg the surrounding area! Jam sessions will be licensed for BYOB beer & wine only.

Transport: We're here to help coordinate transportation from Halifax and the Halifax Robert Stanfield  Airport (YHZ). We can either connect you with someone who is already driving down, or coordinate a shuttle at a reasonable price. Let us know how we can help get you here.

Thanks to our generous and thoughtful donors, Boxwood is pleased to continue its scholarship program. The Mike Grinter Memorial Young Artists Scholarship program offers tuition assistance for this year’s festival in Lunenburg, NS. Mike, a great friend and master craftsman dedicated his lifetime’s work to making flutes of the highest calibre from his workshops in Chewton, Ennis & Thailand. In memory of Mike, and in honour of his work, we're continuing our scholarship in his name. The 2023 scholarship is open to all applicants who will be under 30 years of age as of 1 August, 2023. Scholarships are open to players of all instruments as well as singers. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, scholarships may be awarded to cover a portion of the tuition. Those wishing to apply should send a letter describing their musical journey thus far and provide a sample of their playing or singing. Please email your application before 15 June 2023. Accommodation during the weekend is the responsibility of the recipient.

The Work Study option is a great way to reduce the cost of tuition, meet other participants and have fun while helping out. You'll work approximately 12 hours during the course of the week, about 2 hours/day in the late afternoon or evenings so as not to miss class time. Tasks are related to logistics, set-up, prep, and clean-up for events and catering. The $250 tuition deduction works out to roughly a $20/hour reduction in tuition cost, and the satisfaction of being part of the Boxwood Team; a friendly, easy-going bunch that moves fast to get things done, and back to the music. Work Study participants should plan to be present at the Lunenburg & District Fire Hall at 1pm on Sunday July 23 to get organized and oriented. Thanks for lending a hand to make it a great week! - see you then.

For In-Person Full Registrations, including Work-Study options, full payment is due no later than 4 weeks prior to the start of the festival (June 24, 2023). Sea Aires Choir and Boxwood Flute Choir may register up to 2-weeks prior. Cancellations requested 30 days in advance will receive a full refund less a $50 administrative fee.


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THANK YOU!

Our 2023 festival programming is made possible with support from Canadian Heritage, The Robinson Family Trust, Culture Ireland, The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, and thoughtful contributions from individual patrons around the world. Thank You!