In Residence: Utsav Lal, Loah, and Colm Mac Con Iomaire

Colm is an Irish violinist and multi-instrumentalist composer from Dublin whose music draws on a wide range of styles and influences, from classical to traditional. He is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Irish band The Frames, who for the last 25 years has toured internationally to sold-out venues all across the world. Colm released his first solo instrumental record The Hare's Corner in 2008 to critical acclaim. The follow up album And Now the Weather, released in April 2015, was an Irish Top Ten and toured in the USA, Australia, and Europe.

Colm writes for feature film, contemporary dance, animation, television, and theatre, recently scoring the feature films Dare to be Wild, Out Of Innocence, and animation short for Cartoon Saloon Late Afternoon, which won the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival for shorts. He tours as a composer with a full band and as a solo artist.

Loah is an artist of mixed Irish/Sierra Leonean origin who grew up between Ireland and West Africa. She’s embarking on an ambitious solo career, combining her unique blend of genre-bending Afro-soul which she calls “ArtSoul.” In what has been a phenomenal first couple of years in action, she has released several stunning singles/videos (including “Nothing” from her debut EP and “Take It” with Irish producer Bantum) and co-written with Hozier amongst others.

Loah has sold out numerous headline shows in Dublin, appeared at the CCI in Paris and performed with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Glen Hansard in the National Concert Hall, Dublin Castle and Vicar Street. Having just made her first US appearances at SXSW and New York, she released her long-awaited debut EP This Heart in June 2017 along with a string of high-profile festival appearances and a winter Ireland and UK tour. In 2018 she played The Barbican, London alongside some of Ireland’s best and released her complete EP Remixes of This Heart by various Irish producers.

Indian pianist/composer Utsav Lal, often known as the “Raga Pianist,” has set a precedent with his creative vision and innovative handling of Indian classical music.

Performing on an instrument traditionally considered unsuitable for Hindustani classical music, the 26-year-old classical and jazz pianist has had an impressive career which includes solo performances and extensive collaborative work with Irish, Scottish and Indian musicians. Utsav has performed at leading global venues like Carnegie Hall, Southbank Centre, and The John F Kennedy Center as well as Indian classical, jazz, silent film, and world music festivals. He holds the distinction of being the first to introduce the piano at the 137th Harivallabh Sammelan, India’s oldest classical music festival. Utsav’s work has been recognized with several awards, including a nomination as a Young Steinway Artist (2010). He released his debut record at the age of 16 with Times Music record label and has since released five subsequent records for worldwide distribution.

Utsav is an ABRSM scholar with an Honors Bachelor of Music in Jazz from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, a Yamaha Jazz Scholar, and a Master of Music in Contemporary Improvisation from New England Conservatory of Music. Trained under leading music faculty, he explores his work on Indian classical music under the tutelage of Dhrupad maestro Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar. His music has a powerful intensity that sweeps the audience into a transcendental journey and is known for its sincerity, simplicity, and depth.