The Jameson Sisters
St. Patrick’s Day Concert - March 15, 2024, 7:00 PM
Ellen Tepper (left) was born in New York but spent most of her childhood in Vienna, Austria, where she began studying classical harp at the age of eight. Her abiding interest in early music was inspired by a childhood spent exploring ruins in Europe and by her exposure to the multi-faceted cultural life of Vienna. She was introduced to Irish music through a Clancy Brother record (one of the few English language records in the house). After returning to the United States, she continued her studies to earn a degree in Harp Performance from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts (now The University of the Arts). She has served on the Board of Trustees of the Historical Harp Society and has conducted workshops for the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen. As an authority on the early harp with a humorous approach to historical anecdote, Ellen is in demand as a lecturer and performer. She has produced six recordings of traditional and classical music. For more information about Ellen visit www.ellentepper.com.
Terry Kane (above right) grew up in a proud community of Irish-Americans who had emmigrated to Addison, NY from Ireland at the time of the potato famine. As the youngest of 11 children she can’t remember a day without song and dance, harmonizing with her mother and siblings. Tap dancing and square dancing were also a part of every week but Terry’s mother was proudest of her grandfather’s Irish step dancing and the history of set dancing the family continued among the local Irish farmers on “Paddy’s Hill.” Terry received many honors in her high school choir and band programs and went on to pursue a music teaching career, performing in the 1980 Winter Olympic Choir and earning her Master’s degree from Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY. Since 1983 she has taught music first in public schools and now at her private studio. She released 3 Irish recordings. She sings and accompanies herself on guitar, banjo, and mandolin performing traditional Irish and Italian music, Baroque mandolin music and a wide range of 20th century popular songs. Since moving to Philadelphia over 20 years ago, her main focus has been to study the Irish language and collect songs in Irelandwww.terrykanesings.com.
Helene Zisook Speer was a classically trained violinist from the age of six and an alumna of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. In college, she turned her bow to Celtic, British, Eastern European, and Klezmer music as a founding member of the folk-rock band Broadside Electric. She has also been spotted playing avant-garde and progressive rock as well as musical theater. She regularly fiddles for folk dances in the Philadelphia area.
The Jameson Sisters - Terry and Ellen have been delighting audiences as The Jameson Sisters with their energetic music for over a dozen years. They have released two recordings together: an Irish CD, “The Jameson Sisters – Neat!” and a Scottish CD “Burns Night!” Concerts, festivals, weddings and private parties fill the bulk of their schedule but from libraries to senior events, pubs to festivals, Terry’s clear, lilting soprano voice with Ellen’s soaring melodic strains, lush accompaniment, and quick wit, combine to make an unforgettable performance. CoHS is a favorite venue and they have participated in this concert series for many years. For more information and to see their calendar visit www.jamesonsisters.com and friend them on Facebook.
