Will Woodson and Eric McDonald are two of today's finest young proponents of traditional Scottish music. With an unusual blend of wind and plucked strings, they bring a welcome sensitivity to a tradition that is often known for its high velocity. Still, their music is full of drive and energy, thanks to shared impulses that permeate the simpatico sound of this duo. It's the sum product of two musicians well versed in their tradition, playing honest and at times risky music.

Since a young age, Will has made traditional Scottish music on the border pipes his life's work. He spent years living in Glasgow, earning a master's degree in traditional Scottish music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and immersing himself in the rich musical culture of the city. He returned to America to study and work in New York City and Portland, Maine under pipemaker Nate Banton, through which he has vastly expanded his knowledge of the instrument. Eric grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, a hub for traditional musicians of all kinds. He is well versed in the Scottish idiom and is known for performing with the trio Cantrip, Scottish fiddler Katie McNally, and national Scottish fiddle champions Ryan McKasson and Brendan Carey Block. His scope is further broadened by his education at Boston's Berklee College of Music. Together, Will and Eric weave their sounds into a textured and detailed fabric, fusing border pipes, wooden flute, guitar, mandolin, and voice to create a sound that is sweet but also wild, traveling from darkness to light.

Founded by Robert McOwen and Karen Campbell Mahoney in 2002, Highland Dance Boston is a performing company that specializes in the traditional and contemporary dances of Scotland. The company includes competitive highland dancers, teachers of Scottish dance, and musicians. Its repertoire includes traditional highland and step dances, as well as original choreographed pieces. The group has performed at the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), the New Hampshire Highland Games, the Gaelic Roots festival, Burns Nights in various cities, the Opening Ceremonies of the World Curling Championships and has hosted its own concert on occasion. Whether performing traditional dances or their own inventive explorations in the Scottish style, they are a treat for the eyes-and (when hard shoe is involved) the ears!

The Demonstration Team of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Boston Branch dances at various celebrations, festivals, town fairs, and private events around the New England area. The group has performed at the New Hampshire Highland Games, the New England Folk Festival, the Boston Celtic Music Festival, and at the Boston Branch's Annual Fall Concert. It creates original medleys of traditional dances, choreographed for maximum energy, elegance, and audience appeal. Since 2007, the director has been Andrea Taylor-Blenis, daughter of Marianne and Conny Taylor, who is following in her parents' footsteps and bringing folk and country dances to people throughout the northeast and the country. The team's devoted administrator is Laura DeCesare.

Artistic director Robert McOwen has been involved in Scottish country and highland dancing, as well as Scottish music, for decades. He has been our artistic director on numerous occasions, each time bringing a fresh vision to our celebration of Scottish music and dance. Robert has taught Scottish dance at camps and workshops across the United States and internationally and has performed at various Scottish events across the country for many years. In 2002, he and Karen Mahoney formed Highland Dance Boston, which performs at festivals and concerts in the New England area and elsewhere. Since the 1970s, he has made several recordings of Scottish dance music with his wife, fiddler Barbara McOwen. In his spare time, Robert is a Professor of Mathematics at Northeastern University.