Irish Music, Dance, Song and Culture in Central Virginia

Lori has been providing Irish dance instruction in Charlottesville and central Virginia since 2001 and has been executive director of BRIMS since 2003.  Lori, along with her children Meg, Patrick & Marina, is a founding member of BRIMS and has been a trip leader on all four of the BRIMS Ireland Study Trips. 

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.

John is a lifelong music learner and has been a member of BRIMS "family" since shortly after moving to the Charlottesville area (2009).   He plays (and teaches) DADGAD guitar, octave mandolin, and most recently began learning to play tenor banjo and mandolin.  He has served on the BRIMS board since 2015

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!

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.

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.

Jude Christian took up trad Irish singing after a decade of watching her children all participate in the many activities BRIMS has to offer.

While singing less these days, she still has a passion for Trad Irish music, BRIMS and it’s work within the community and is happy to join the BRIMS board to support this organization in any way she can!

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.