Women of Note

Aoife Scott is a folk singer-songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, born into the legendary Black family. Fragile and ethereal one minute and strong and vibrant the next, her dynamic and profound vocals explore the emotional depths of her lyrics, leaving the audience entranced. 

It’s been only a few short years since Aoife’s single “All Along the Wild Atlantic Way” hit the number one slot, knocking Ed Sheeran off the top spot, and was named “Song of the Year” at the Irish Folk Music Awards. Her career successes have seen Aoife and her cousins, Róisín O & Danny O'Reilly from The Coronas, release their single “Grace,” which also soared straight into the number one slot on iTunes in Ireland. This performance has gained over two million streams on YouTube and Spotify, with their performance from Kilmainham Gaol as part of Centenary on RTE1. 

In addition to her music career, Aoife is also an accomplished radio broadcaster. She has hosted the popular folk music program "Folk on One" on RTÉ Radio 1, where she shares her extensive knowledge and passion for Folk and traditional music with listeners around the world. 

Her music has been praised for its authenticity, emotional depth, and ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. With her soulful voice, captivating lyrics, and unwavering commitment to her craft, Aoife Scott continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world. Whether on stage or on the airwaves, she is a true force to be reckoned with in the world of Irish music and beyond.

Charly Lowry, a musical powerhouse from Pembroke, NC, is proud to be an Indigenous woman belonging to the Lumbee/Tuscarora Tribes. She is passionate about telling stories and raising awareness around issues that plague underdeveloped and underserved communities. Since her teenage years, Charly has established a career as a professional singer-songwriter with unique passion and voice. 

Among her community, Native women are traditionally barred from the hand-drum and relegated to singing behind the men’s drum and/or dancing instead. Lowry defies that norm, following in the footsteps of her mentor, Pura Fé—an artist and heir to the Tuscarora Indian Nation—and choosing to battle with her songs, hand-drum, and guitar to deliver songs that not only tell the plight of her people but of all humankind that face oppression.

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is a fiddle player and sean-nós singer from the Donegal Gaeltacht tradition. She was born and raised in Gaoth Dobhair and studied and taught in Dublin before pursuing a career as a full-time musician. She is passionate about preserving the language and traditional music from Co Donegal. 

She is also a composer and has been commissioned to compose music for various projects over the years by RTÉ radio and Earagail Arts Festival, among others. Mairéad is a founding member of the world-renowned traditional music group, Altan. For over thirty years she has toured the world with Altan, travelling all over Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the USA. She has played in venues as diverse as Albert Hall, London, the Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl. 

Mairead was awarded Donegal Person of the Year in 2009 by the Donegal Association in Dublin for her work in promoting the County and its culture. In 2017 she was awarded the prestigious Gradam Ceoil TG4, Ceoltóir na Bliana/TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year 2017.

Grenadian-Canadian Kaia Kater's jazz-fueled voice and deft songcraft have garnered acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone and No Depression. On Grenades (2018), Kaia leaned into a wide array of topics, notably her Caribbean ancestry. Recent projects include Parallels (2021) and songwriting for The Porter (CBC/BET+) TV series, for which she won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Original Song. She is currently recording an album for release in 2023.