The H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University presents CELTIC WOMAN, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 8 p.m.

SHIPPENSBURG, PA (February 22, 2013) - The H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University presents CELTIC WOMAN, Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 8 p.m.  This performance is sold out. 

Global music phenomenon Celtic Woman brings their new show to North America in 2013. Under the distinct musical direction of Emmy®-nominated music producer, David Downes, Celtic Woman combines the talents of four gifted Irish women-vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Lambe and Susan McFadden, and violinist Máiréad Nesbitt-whose dazzling performances combine the sounds and sensibility of Irish traditional music with memorable original compositions and contemporary pop standards. Celtic Woman is backed by their dazzling band, the Aontas Choir, championship Irish dancer Craig Ashurst and award-winning bag piper Anthony Byrne.

"Celtic Woman's 2013 tour of the US is going to be an incredibly exciting and fresh new live show. This may be the most exciting mixture of music we have ever performed - from deeply emotional original songs, to unique re-workings of well-known classics, it will be a spectacular live experience," commented David Downes.

Celtic Woman debuted on Public Television in March 2005 and quickly emerged as a spectacular commercial success, selling more than seven million CDs/DVDs and nearly three million concert tickets worldwide.  Recently named Billboard Magazine's #1 World Music Artist, Celtic Woman's signature sound has emerged as a transcendent force and their live shows have touched the hearts of a devoted international fan base.   Don't miss this opportunity to see Celtic Woman as you've never seen them before.

FEATURED PERFORMERS:

Máiréad Nesbitt is the solo Celtic violinist in Celtic Woman. Her career has encompassed the contrasting styles of classical and traditional Irish music.  She began her professional career as violinist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and has worked with Nigel Kennedy, Van Morrison, Sinéad O'Connor and Emmylou Harris, among others.  She has played on the original soundtracks of Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames and subsequent world tours. Her first solo album, Raining Up, was released in 2006.  Máiréad is the featured soloist on the musical scores of Disney's feature films Tinker Bell and Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.

Chloë Agnew is already a musical veteran at age 23. She has been an integral part of Celtic Woman since she was just fourteen.  She won the First International Children's Song Competition in Cairo, Egypt, representing Ireland. Chloë recorded her first album at age 12 and her second at 14, both produced by David Downes.  Chloë has had the pleasure of collaborating with many artists over the years, including Italian tenor, Alessandro Rinella, Chris De Burgh, Anne Murray and Selim Kagee to name but a few. Chloë also has had the incredible honor of performing for the last three consecutive US presidents before she reached the age of 20.

Lisa Lambe joined Celtic Woman in 2011. Regarded as one of the most sought after performers in Ireland, Lisa's career accolades span from the dramatic stage to musical theater; film & television to radio performances. She has performed as a soloist with the RTE Concert Orchestra, and has performed several times on television as a soloist on "The Late Late Show" leading to collaborations with RTE affiliated musicians such as Shay Healy and Frank McNamara.  Lisa's vocal roles include: The Shaughraun, The Wiremen, and Sweeney Todd.  She also played lead role of "Philomena O Shea" in Rough Magic's musical Improbable Frequency. 

Susan McFadden is the newest member of Celtic Woman and joined in 2012. Born in Dublin, Susan is perhaps best known throughout the UK after winning the hugely successful ITV show Grease Is the Word, landing her the starring role of "Sandy" in the West End production of Grease.  Susan starred in the original west end cast of Legally Blonde the Musical and her career in musical theatre soared when she took over the lead of "Elle Woods" which earned her prestigious award nominations. Other stage credits include Annie, Singin' in the Rain, Brighton Beach Memoirs and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

David Downes is the Musical Director, Arranger and Composer for Celtic Woman and received an Emmy nomination for the PBS TV production Songs From the Heart. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, where he studied music and composition. As a composer, his television, film and theatre credits include Thou Shalt Not Kill, The Enemy Within, Escanaba In The Moonlight, The Shaughraun and Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure.   He was Musical Director of Riverdance for the U.S. touring company, European touring company, and worked as orchestrator of Riverdance on Broadway.

Find more information about Celtic Woman at www.celticwoman.com.

For additional information about the Celtic Woman performance, or other performances within the 2012-2013 Luhrs Center series, please call the Luhrs Center Box Office at 717.477.SHOW (7469) or visit the Luhrs Center website at luhrscenter.com. 

The mission of the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University is to support and enhance the University's role in academic and cultural enrichment for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Luhrs Center's 1,500-seat state-of-the-art Grove Theatre is where programs to educate, enlighten and entertain are presented. Benefits of the Center to the region include expanding opportunities to participate in a wide range of cultural programming including full-scale Broadway companies, musical groups, symphonies, dance troupes and internationally known speakers. In addition, it adds options for professional training programs, youth programs and senior citizen programs; attracts regional and national business conferences, professional meetings and planning sessions; and additional visitors to the area which will result in a positive impact on the local and regional economy.