Irish Music, Dance, Song and Culture in Central Virginia

Sherry plays flute and bodhrán. She joined BRIMS several years ago and owes much of her Irish music-playing ability to the classes, teachers, and friends that are part of this community. Outside of BRIMS, Sherry is a licensed Dynamic Emotional Integration® Trainer & Consultant and also a licensed Massage Therapist. Joining the BRIMS board was the first foray for Sherry into the nonprofit governance world and she's still learning as she goes.

Carrie began Irish dancing in 1995 with the O’Neill-James School in Falls Church, VA, there she studied under Laureen O’Neill-James and assisted with the beginning adult classes. In 2002 she joined the Culkin School which has a large and active adult dance group. At the Culkin School she studied with Sean Culkin, Nicki Sack and Caterina Earle. While dancing with the Culkin School she competed as a member of the National Championship adult ladies ceili team.  Carrie is an accountant with the firm Hantzmon Wiebel LLC.

A singer and songwriter raised in a musical family, Lisa has played guitar and
written songs most of her life. Born in the Appalachian Mountains, she grew up
learning and playing bluegrass and country music from her father and relatives.
She continues to learn a variety of instruments and enjoys all types of music.

Having traveled with BRIMS to Ireland, she discovered her love for Irish music
and the BRIMS organization.

Lisa earned her degree in Music Business from Belmont University in Nashville
and worked as a Production Coordinator for Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois and
Guy Clark as well as Video and Marketing Director for Asylum Records Nashville.
Lisa is proud and excited to be a part of the Blue Ridge Irish Music School!

Bill Collins is a singer-songwriter, music performer, and non-profit, advancement professional. While employed at the University of Virginia, Bill served as a frontline alumni engagement officer and web system administrator for UVA’s Alumni email, event and fundraising platform. Bill also was the assistant director of the University’s Alumni and Parent Travel program.
 
He has a deep love for Irish music and culture and has traveled to Ireland a number of times with his wife Colleen Bergin. Bill feels those who have been given the gift of music have an important responsibility to share that special talent with others through performing and education.

Francesca is a long-time folkie who enjoys Irish and Old-Time music. She plays flute, is learning guitar and bodhran, sings, and dances contra and English country dance. She discovered BRIMS on one of the organization’s trips to Ireland.

Francesca has many years of experience in public and nonprofit organizations in fundraising and building partnerships, and has served on the Board of historic preservation, sustainable agriculture, and community finance nonprofits. She has a BA and MA from Stanford University in economics and an MBA from William and Mary.

Jeremy’s longtime love of Irish music, dance, and culture makes serving on the board and being a member of the BRIMS family a natural fit. Jeremy’s wife, Mimi, is a founding member of BRIMS and she teaches dance, Cape Breton Stepdance, and co-leads the Trad Ensemble. Jeremy is an attorney with the law firm of Royer Caramanis, PLC.

Since starting piano lessons at age 6, music has always been at the top of Doug’s many artistic interests.  He took up fiddle at age 20, playing bluegrass and old-time music.  It only took attending one festival to make Irish music his focus. He’s played whistle, concertina, piano and fiddle over the last five decades, and played in the Jig is Up, a contra dance band, for over 15 years.  

Doug has made his living creating functional art in copper and glass.  He currently owns Sunspots Studios retail gallery and hot glass shop in Staunton. He has also served on several boards in the City of Staunton, including Economic Development, Environmental and Tourism boards.  Now he’s an Irish fiddle teacher and session organizer that loves to pass on the Irish music traditions.