Will O'Hare: Flute, Whistles, Bagpipes, Mandolins, Vocals
Will is well known in the southern New England celtic music scene, having hosted "The Celtic Session" on WECS radio for many years. He has completed two Southern New England Folk Arts Apprenticeship projects with master flute player Skip Healy and most recently had the distinct pleasure of playing bagpipes with an Omani folk music ensemble at the Smithosnian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. In his day job, Will is an anthropology and world music professor at Three Rivers Community College. You never can tell what ethnic instrument he might bring on stage and his musical interests run from Andean panpipes to West African drumming.
His earliest music influences stem from his college years playing bluegrass with a successful band in upstate New York called "Blue Savannah." After moving to CT in the mid 80s he began exploring celtic music first on the mandolin and then whistles/flutes. A few years with the Mystic Highland Pipe band brought in Scottish themes and finally in the early 90s he, along with Gary Palmer and Matt Cook, created the first version of Full Gael. During a hiatus from the band Will performed regularly with Donegal fiddler PV O'Donnell. Besides his flute geru Skip, Will's other musical influences include Mick Moloney, John Skelton, Kevin Crawford and Martin Hayes
Will is presently working on material for his first solo CD.