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Members of the band:

Waking Erin is a Celtic band under the direction of Cynthia Douglass. Their mission is two-fold: to share their love and mastery of Scottish and Irish music on the Celtic harp and other instruments, using traditional Celtic ornamentation and styling, and to educate listeners about Celtic music, encouraging interest and participation in all aspects of Celtic music in the Rocky Mountain area.

 
Cynthia headshot
 
Jarom headshot
 
Julianna headshot
 
       
             
 
David headshot
 
Meghan headshot
     
     
 
               

Cynthia w/harp

 

Cynthia Lynn Douglass is nationally known as an expert on the Celtic, electric and cross-strung harps. After twenty years of study on the violin, clarinet, and renaissance recorders, Cynthia discovered the rich harmonies of the Celtic harp and the healing effects it gives her listeners. Twenty years later, the Celtic harp is still her favorite instrument and her primary focus.


Her work with the harp is broad in scope: in addition to offering private lessons and adult learning workshops, Cynthia has recorded ten solo projects with World Disc Records and Celestial Sounds, which are distributed nationwide and overseas. She has published seven workbooks, numerous sheet music arrangements, and has composed over 30 selections for harp and other instruments.

     

Jarom w/cello

 

Jarom Xochimitl is a student at Utah Valley State College, studying Business Management and Music. He has played the cello for 13 years, and also sings tenor. He performs with Kindred Voices, the UVSC Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra, the Chamber Choir, and a local band, Code Hero.

     

Julianna closeup

 

Julianna Boulter is the newest member of the band, bringing her expertise on the piano, keyboards, and voice. A graduate of UVSC, Juliana has quickly received regional acclaim for her vocal talents and her agility on the keyboards. Her wit and energy brings a tremendous contribution to the group as well! She is classically trained in both voice and piano, and enjoys performing, both in music and theater. While she has always loved Celtic music, this is her first experience playing it. Naturally, she is loving every minute of it!

     

David w/fiddle

 

 

David Tomer has played violin since age 8. He was originally trained as a classical violinist and performed extensively with the Granite Youth Symphony and the West Valley Symphony both locally and in venues such as Abravanel Hall, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. At age 23, one year after part of his left lung was removed, he fell in love with Irish dance, and has since reached the difficult Preliminary Championship level. His love for Celtic music turned him into a fiddler, and since 2000 he has performed hundreds of times with groups such as the BYU Folk Ensemble, the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble, the Shelley School of Irish Dance, and Leprechaun's Wail Over.

With a Master's degree in Molecular Biology, David currently works on pulmonary clinical trials for Intermountain Healthcare. At night, however, his true fiddler/dancer side emerges!

     
Meghan closeup  

Meghan Kwan Smith has been dancing for fifteen years, and loving every minute of it. She is half Irish, and originally started dancing to show that part of her heritage. After years of competitions, Meghan has made it to the championship level, and is currently a Champion Irish Dancer. She has done numerous performances in addition to working with Celtic Harpistry, including dancing with The Chieftains and at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

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