Performances by Isla Callister & Cathal Ó Curráin; Suzanne Houston & Jeri Foreman; Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior musicians

Isla Callister (fiddle) & Cathal Ó Curráin (bazouki & Fiddle)

Manx musician and Gaelic speaker Isla Callister is a fiddle player from the Isle of Man. Raised on the rich culture and music from the island, her music reflects a strong connection to her native language, music and home. She blends this with influences from the prominent Irish session scene on the island and her new home of Scotland.

In 2016, she moved to Glasgow to study Traditional Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and soon after, became involved in Scotland's vibrant traditional music scene. Since then, Isla has performed at internationally acclaimed festivals such as Celtic Connections, Celtic Colours, Orkney Folk Festival and HebCelt with her bands TRIP and HEISK, as well as other projects. TRIP have also garnered nominations for BBC Radio 2

Young Folk Musician of the Year and Scots Trad Award nominations for Album of the Year and Folk Band of the year. Isla’s solo project ‘Creeaght’ (meaning courage in Manx Gaelic), marked her debut as a composer. Creeaght, which was performed at Yn Chruinnaght Festival and Festival Interceltique de Lorient by an all-woman ensemble alongside an art exhibition, is a new suite of music that explores the lives and experiences of women who have shaped the history of the Isle of Man. Her latest project brings together the language and music of the Isle of Man and Donegal in a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Cathal Ó Curráin, who will be joining her at the Neil Gow Festival.

Cathal Ó Curráin is a multi-instrumentalist from Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal, who specialises in Irish Traditional and Folk Music on fiddle, banjo, bouzouki and song. From an early age Cathal was immersed in music from attending regular sessions in Teach Hiúdaí Beag with the likes of Mairéad and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh. Hailing from a family that are best known for their singing Cathal learned his songs from his aunties Caitlín and Bríd Joe Jack.
Performing from a young age Cathal has travelled the world with different bands to America, Australia, New Zealand and all throughout Europe. His most recent work features on albums with The High Seas, The Friel Sisters, Bláth na hÓige, Aoife Scott with Ron Block of Alison Krauss and Union Station and his debut solo album Cosán Ceoil was
launched in 2022.
Cathal also presents an Irish Language Music Programme on TG4 called “Féile an Earagail” showcasing some of the best folk music in Ireland. He was awarded “Best Emerging Artist” at the 2022 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.

Suzanne Houston (piano) & Jeri Foreman (fiddle)

Suzanne and Jeri launch their duo at the Niel Gow Festival 2025. Suzanne Fivey is a multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Glasgow. Her roots are in Scottish traditional music and she is in most familiar territory at a piano alongside any fiddle player who is in the mood to keep up! She is currently channeling her skills in harmony and accompaniment into writing projects for theatre and screen.

Jeri Foreman is a fiddle player and tune writer from Australia, living in Scotland and working as a traditional musician. She has studied several fiddle styles in depth and holds a degree in classical violin. Genres of specialty include Scottish, Irish, Bluegrass, Old Time and Australian Celtic fiddle, with areas of interest in Old Time accompaniment, Americana, Scandinavian, Quebecois and Asturian music. Her own projects currently include The Fountaineers (bluegrass band), Swamp Chicken (old time string band), The Household Names (modern trad band), Nice Like That (vintage bluegrass/country duo), Jeri Foreman & Ruth Eliza (old time duo), The Crossbow Trio (multi genre fiddle music) and Point Five Ceilidh Band (Scottish trad). Jeri also performs as a session musician with acts as diverse as traditional Scots singers, Americana bands, prog rock singers, jazz guitarists, country singers and many ceilidh bands. She has also won a whole bunch of awards.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior musicians are some of the best young traditional players in the land and always give an inspiring performance.