Bodhran Workshop with Myron Bretholz

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Myron has lent his talents as a percussionist to nearly fifty recordings of Irish, Scottish, and other folk music,In addition, Myron has contributed liner notes to a number of recordings over the past quarter century, and he is often called on to emcee at concerts and festivals as well. Since the late 1980’s, Myron has taught bodhran and rhythm bones at many workshops throughout the United States and Canada, including Boston College’s Gaelic Roots, Gaelic College in Cape Breton, and the Catskills Irish Arts Week in East Durham, New York.  He was also Catskills Irish Arts Week’s Artistic Director in 2001, and currently serves as an artistic consultant for CIAW. Myron received early inspiration and instruction in bodhran from Jesse Winch and in rhythm bones from Karen Seime Singleton, and also counts among his influences the playing of Robin Morton, Peadar Mercier, Jim Sutherland, and Johnny McDonagh. And although not a dancer himself, he also draws inspiration from Irish step dancers, and he reckons that the ideal percussionist should be able to do with his or her hands what dancers do with their feet. Myron’s relaxed and humorous teaching style has made him an in-demand workshop leader and instructor, and he is always willing to encourage novice players.