Tara Connaghan is an Irish traditional fiddle player from Co. Donegal with more than 35 years' experience performing, teaching and participating in Irish music sessions. She is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast 'In Tune with Tradition', where she has interviewed many of the leading voices in Irish traditional music to explore the musical, social and cultural dynamics that shape great sessions.

Through hundreds of questionnaire responses, interviews and decades of lived experience, Tara has developed a unique perspective on why sessions can feel so welcoming for some musicians and so confusing for others. Today, Tara speaks internationally on session etiquette, cultural fluency and what she calls "Navigating Session Uncertainty", helping musicians make sense of the unwritten side of Irish music sessions.

Her talks, workshops and educational programmes help players move from uncertainty and self-consciousness to confidence, belonging and a deeper understanding of the session itself. Her work is used by music schools, festivals and musicians around the world who want to experience the joy of Irish music sessions while contributing positively to the tradition.

Tara's links:

Instagram | Facebook | Podcast | Podcast FB page | Podcast YouTube channel

Replay Tara's Melinar tutorial on her S.H.A.R.E. session etiquette educational programme for FREE:

https://www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic/posts/165251222

Join my PATREON to support the podcast - extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:

www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic

Visit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:

www.melbiggsmusic.co.uk

7-9th August join Judy Minot & I at Halsway Manor 'Practise Smarter, Play Happier' course:

https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/practise-smarter-2026

Live Folk Music in Swadlincote (DE11)

Kilnside Folk Events presents Janice Burns & Jon Doran 13th September:

https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/

Intro & outro music:

'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.

Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':

www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.com

Get in touch: chatterbox@melbiggsmusic.co.uk

Don't forget to like/subscribe/follow:

YouTube | Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Petkevich is a professional multi-instrumentalist, composer, and musicologist currently based in Novi Sad, Serbia. After graduating from the St. Petersburg Conservatoire, she worked for many years as a composer for art-house animation, with films featuring her music receiving awards at international festivals.

She has long been immersed in the world of European folk music, performing with numerous bands and taking part in diverse collaborations. Over time, she has developed her own playing and compositional style, inspired by music from across continental Europe and the British Isles. She plays a wide range of instruments, with the diatonic accordion and hurdy-gurdy as her primary ones.

Sophie's links:

Facebook | YouTube Channel

Join my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:

www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic

Visit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:

www.melbiggsmusic.co.uk

Session Survival Skills 3-part online workshop series 14th, 21st + 28th July:

https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product/session-survival-skills-workshop-series/

Intro & outro music:

'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.

Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':

www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.com

Get in touch: chatterbox@melbiggsmusic.co.uk

Don't forget to like/subscribe/follow:

YouTube | Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Pack is a musician and dancer with a long-standing interest in European traditional dance, performing in duos with Blowzabella's Dave Shepherd (R.I.P.), Nigel Eaton, Hekety's Jo Veal and in the trio Oscina.

Anna and I have travelled together to many a festival and workshop in England, France and Belgium. We've also been lucky enough to share the stage a couple of times to play with legends Riccardo Tesi and Naragonia Quartet! I've learned a lot from her over the years and always admired her vast skillset and dedication to her artistic talents. I hope you enjoy our conversation!

Anna's links:

Oscina Bandcamp | Ravelry knitting patterns

Videos of Anna & I on stage with famous bands:

Riccardo Tesi 2020 | Naragonia Quartet 2023

Join my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:

www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic

Learn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes - Improvers L2 June 27th:

https://stables.org/workshops

Visit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:

www.melbiggsmusic.co.uk

Intro & outro music:

'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.

Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':

www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.com

Get in touch: chatterbox@melbiggsmusic.co.uk

Don't forget to like/subscribe/follow:

YouTube | Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.