Description

Seán Heely is a musical force of nature—an award-winning fiddler, singer, harpist, and composer whose artistry bridges Celtic tradition and classical virtuosity. One of the most creatively versatile performers of his generation, Seán has been hailed by Irish fiddle legend Liz Carroll as “One powerhouse of a fiddler.” Seán holds the rare distinction of being both a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a U.S. National Champion in Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) Song—a testament to his deep mastery of the Scottish tradition in both instrumental and vocal forms. He is also an award-winning Irish fiddler and harpist, bringing a rare fusion of technical brilliance and heartfelt expression to every performance. A graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Violin Performance, Seán made his classical solo debut in 2012 with the Virginia Symphony performing Mozart’s 5th Violin Concerto, and was named a 2019 Artist in Residence at the prestigious Strathmore Music Center. An educator in demand, Seán has served as an Adjunct Instructor at American University, and been on faculty at some of the premier traditional music programs in North America, such as Acadia Traditional School of Music and Arts, Boxwood Music Festival, Upper Potomac Fiddle Retreat, and Fiddle Hell Festival. He has performed in Scotland, Ireland, South America, Germany and at prestigious venues in the U.S such as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C and Strathmore Music Center.