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Artist Bio

Shannon Lee is a compelling Irish traditional music duo based in southeast Michigan with Hannah Harris on fiddle and voice and Alberto (Bear) Whitmer on guitar and bodhran. Their name pays homage to their formative experiences in Ireland—Harris studied at University College Cork along the River Lee, while Whitmer honed his skills at the University of Limerick near the Shannon River. They initially connected at The Ark's Gavin Family Crossroads Ceili and local sessions in Plymouth and Ann Arbor. Harris’ fiddle playing, both lyrical and driving, echoes the styles of Matt Cranitch and Liz Carroll, while Whitmer's sensitive yet lifting guitar work draws inspiration from Tony McManus and John Doyle.

Harris has run an online studio since 2017 where she helps fiddlers coming from outside the tradition get the real feel for Irish music through weekly newsletters, online courses and private lessons. She has recorded two albums, Tea for Tunes + At the Core, the latter which is scheduled to release in the first half of 2025. Whitmer has taught a variety of students from one on one lessons to group classes including workshops and college courses. He specializes in teaching beginning guitarists of all ages and experienced guitarists wanting to learn repertoire or technical skills in fingerstyle or traditional Irish music. Both Harris and Whitmer are RIAM certified traditional music teachers through Liz Doherty’s program, I Teach Trad.