Elizabeth Nicholson

Elizabeth Nicholson is a Portland, Oregon-based Celtic harp player, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. Known for her gutsy, dynamic approach to harp performance, she is counted among America's foremost interpreters of traditional Irish dance music for harp -- a genre whose lightning-paced tempos and complex ornamentation more typically reserve it for melody instruments such as the fiddle or flute.

Her harp studies have also included classical, Paraguayan, and medieval music, and she has stretched the traditional boundaries of the instrument into rock music and country blues. Also recognized as a vocalist who ?sings beautifully...her singing is delicate and pure without being over-precious,?(David Kidman, netrhythms.uk, October 2006), Elizabeth's possesses an elegant command of traditional song -- from the filigreed ornamentation of Irish ballads to the strident tones of Americana.

A life-long musician, Elizabeth grew up in Chicago, where she studied both traditional Irish harp with Lyn Kirkwood (Iris), and pedal harp with Liz Cifani (The Chicago Lyric Opera). Moving from Chicago to Portland in 1993 to pursue a degree in comparative religion at Reed College, Elizabeth continued her musical studies with pedal harpist Jenny Lindner (The Portland Lyric Opera), Paraguayan harpist Antonio Centurion, and vocal coach Mark Bosnian. Elizabeth became an active member of Portland's thriving traditional music community, getting her feet wet (quite literally) as a frequent street performer. In time, she decided to phase out playing classical music in order to focus on traditional folk repertoire ? studying guitar, finger-style banjo, and traditional Irish fiddle along the way.

Elizabeth has worked as a full-time musician in the Portland area since 1998 and has performed in broad-ranging array of settings: She has appeared in most of the region's larger folk festivals, opening for or sharing stages with renowned players, including legendary fiddler Kevin Burke and the popular Irish band Gaelic Storm. Elizabeth has also been on several international tours -- most recently with her world-roots music quintet ?Elizabeth Nicholson and Stringed Migration.? Her broadcast experience includes a live appearance on the nationally syndicated radio show ?River City Folk,? and frequent performances on regional radio and television. Elizabeth has also played at numerous weddings, funerals, and other private functions, as well as stage shows, house concerts, pubs, ceili dances, hotels, and restaurant venues. Less traditional performances include giving interactive Celtic harp workshops at public schools and senior centers, and playing therapeutic music for hospice and acupuncture patients.

A prolific recording artist, Elizabeth currently has a number of CD releases to her credit on the BarBarrick and Waterbug folk labels. Her work has received widespread critical praise and international airplay: her 2008 album "Fly Not Yet" (with band "Stringed Migration") opened at number 11 on international radio charts and received rave reviews from every major international folk music magazine. Her 2006 release "Sink or Swim", was awarded ?Folk Album of the Month? on Iowa Public Radio, as well as a highly favorable reception from critics nationwide. Her work has been selected several times as a ?top pic? on Rich Warren's iconic folk program ?The Midnight Special,? and has been featured on Fiona Richie's ?Thistle and Shamrock" and "Thistlepod" programs in shows devoted to highlightng outstanding new Celtic releases. Elizabeth's "Celtic Wedding Music" series of recordings with "The Rose and Thistle Band" have been consistent top sellers cdbaby.com, and have graced numerous wedding ceremonies worldwide.