Ceili night with Gemma Telfer

Our festival finale.
Gemma began playing the piano accordion aged nine. She represented The Tyneside Irish Centre at All-Britain and All-Ireland Fleadhs, which was hugely influential in leading her to study in Ireland. The Tyneside Irish Centre awarded Gemma the Christopher Meade Scholarship for youth achievement, which provided her with the opportunity to attend the renowned Meitheal traditional music summer school benefiting from world-class tutors. Her studies have also included receiving a first class honours degree in Irish Music & Dance from the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance in Limerick, Ireland.

Gemma was a founding member of the folk band Gria, winners of the prestigious Danny Kyle Open Stage award at Celtic Connections 2013. She has performed at festivals such as The Edinburgh Fringe,
Hebridean Celtic Festival, Orkney Folk Festival, Insider Festival, as well as Celtic Connections. In addition, performing outside the UK at Festival Interceltic de Lorient France, and Milwaukee Irish
Festival USA, also recording for radio and television. Two of the most prestigious events Gemma has performed at to date, include entertaining the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street London, as well as playing in The Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle for Scottish Parliament hosting international dignitaries.

In 2015 Schott Music published a tune book of traditional Irish tunes, arranged by Gemma, with an accompanying CD.

Gemma has recently completed her studies at the Irish World Academy of Music, having undertaken MA in Ethnomusicology.