"What made this show extra special were the inclusion of Nua-Nós, four dancers who met at the University of Limerick and collaborated in this performance to underscore the importance of dance among the Celtic people in both the old and new fashion".
- Paul Keating, Boston Irish Reporter, December 2005
-View entire Article
“ It is wonderfully delightful and inspiring to see [Maldon] perform.”
- Daniel H. Axelrod, June 28, 2006
View entire letter (PDF)
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Performing Groups
Maldon Meehan and Ronan Regan are members of several performing groups, including dance troupe Nua-nós, educational performance group Footnotes, fiddle and dance group Kick the Fiddle and the musical group Blasta.
Nua-nós
Nua-nós, meaning new-style, is dance troupe of 4 dancers. Haling from Ireland, America and Sweden they all meet in 2004 at the University of Limerick in Ireland. Each dancer in Nua-nós holds a Masters from the Irish Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick, Ireland. The dancers perform a variety of dance forms from Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton as well as contemporary dance. They offer performance and workshops.
 Kieran Jordan - Boston, Massachusetts
"Kieran Jordan has developed a musical and expressive style that incorporates traditional Irish dance technique with other dance forms, including modern dance, sean-nós Irish step dancing, and Cape Breton step dancing. Kieran’s innovative choreography displays percussive footwork, a lyrical use of the body, and a compelling emotional dynamic."
Expert from Kieran's website. Read more.....
 Maldon Meehan - Portland, Oregon
Maldon Meehan comes to Nua-Nós from an Irish dance background including sean-nós, Set, Céili and Old-style step dance. She well known for her performance of the traditional Connemara 'Brush Dance'.
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 Mats Melin - Stockholm, Sweden
Mats Melin is currently lecturing at the lecturing at The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick in Ireland. He has a background in Scottish country, Highland, Hebridean, Cape Breton, Sean-nós dance. He is both a scholar and performer of these dance forms.
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 Ronan Regan - Poll na Ruama, Co. Galway, Ireland
As a sean-nós dancer Ronan captures the heart, humour and subtlety of traditional music and dances percussively to the essence of the tune. He has performed through out Ireland and America, including the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
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Footnotes
Footnotes presents an interactive and educational journey though the history of Irish music, dance and culture. Drawing from Ireland's rich music and dance traditions Footnotes demonstrate the evolution of traditional dance.. The performance explores Irish step, Old-style step, Sean-nós, Céili and Set dance as well as the rich music and singing traditions. Based in Portland, Oregon, Footnotes offers performances, workshops to K-12 and collage audiences.
 Johnny B Connolly (accordion)
Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Johnny has been immersed in Irish traditional music since he was eight years old. By the age of 15 he was a regular feature around his hometown, performing with Musicians sometimes twice his age. Johnny's dexterity on the accordion earned him a slot with established Celtic ensemble Anam at the age of 17. In 1996 the 21-year-old Johnny seized an opportunity to bring his skills to America. In 2001 Johnny signed with Green Linnet records and released his first album entitled "Bridgetown" after he adopted hometown, Portland. Though based in Portland, Johnny tours internationally performing at festivals, concerts and school shows.
 Cary Novotny (guitar, vocals)
"Cary Novotny was raised in Stevenson WA., and has been playing guitar and singing professionally in the Portland area for two decades. Novotny possesses a powerful musical style, with strong rhythm and a sure sense of harmony and tone. He has recorded and performed with many great bands in the world of Irish music, including Cul An Ti, Kevin Burke, The Bridies, and An Tua." Expert from Bridgetown's website.
Read more.....
 Maldon Meehan (dance)
Maldon Meehan performs Sean-nós dance, Irish old-style step dance, American clogging, waltz clog and her original choreography with Footnotes. Read more.....
 Kick the Fiddle
Maldon and Joanne first performed together by chance. Maldon had been booked for a gig in Riddlers Pub in Limerick and the band fell through. Someone mentioned that Joanne might be able to come down and fill in. What happened that night was magic and shocked both performers. Maldon was instantly drawn to Joanne's rhythmic playing and her movement on stage and Kick the Fiddle was born.
Since 2005 the duo has been performing in Ireland. In August of 2007 Kick the Fiddle's will be on an America tour.
 Joanne Ward (fiddle)
Inspired by her late grandfather's fiddle playing Joanne enrolled in the Masters of Traditional Irish Music at the University of Limerick where she researched the Limerick style of fiddle playing.
 Maldon Meehan (dance)
Maldon brings traditional and contemporary percussive dances to this duo. Kick the Fiddle is one of Maldon's most creative and innovative dance projects. Drawing on traditional dance Maldon choreographs rhythmic steps to Joanne's fiddle playing.
Blasta
Based in Galway Blasta performs at festivals, weddings and pubs through out Ireland. More to come from Blasta stay tuned.
Ronan Regan (dance, fiddle)
Paddy Mannion
Enda Mannion
Tom Howley
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