Mayo native Lisa Canny began showing a big interest in music from a very young age, teaching herself tunes on the piano, and she will be bringing her talents to Castlebar on Saturday February 25 as part of the Finbar Hoban Presents series. Having noted her musical ability Lisa’s national school principal, Sean Nestor, presented a then five-year-old Lisa with a small banjo and encouraged her to take classes. Bernie and Holly Geraghty taught Lisa for 10 years, passing on to her a great understanding, love, and passion for traditional Irish music.
Heavily involved with CCÉ Ballindine, Lisa has won seven All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil titles throughout her competitive years, including the Senior Harp title in 2008. Now also a teacher, nine of Lisa’s own students have gone on to win All-Ireland medals.
Throughout the years, Lisa competed in many singing competitions. She trained for a short period at the Performing Arts School of Galway but never received any other form of professional vocal training. She believes that she learnt to ‘hold a note’ from her mother Áine and extended family on both sides.
After graduating with a first class honours degree in Irish music and dance at University of Limerick in 2010, Lisa went on to achieve a first class master's degree in ethnomusicology at University College Cork. She has toured the States and Canada extensively over the last seven years with The Young Irelanders and Celtic Crossroads as lead vocalist, appearing on their latest PBS special DVD and CD. She has also toured Ireland, the UK, Germany, France, and Russia with groups or shows including Celtic Spree, Irish Legends, Rhythms of Ireland, Fuaim Chonamara, and Fuinnimh, and has performed live in front of more than 50,000 people at the Interceltique Festival in Lorient for two consecutive years.
In September 2012 Lisa went to ASCAP’s songwriting retreat in France. She was invited by Miles Copeland (former manager of The Police ) after he saw her perform in the States. During her time in France Lisa worked with some of the biggest artists, songwriters, and producers in the business including Priscilla Renea (Rihanna, Madonna, Selena Gomez, Cheryl Cole ), Jodi Marr (Mika, Paloma Faith, Ricky Martin ), Hillary Lindsey (Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw ), Julian Emery (McFly, Lissie ), and Claudia Brant (Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé ). Tickets for Lisa Canny live at The Garbo's Venue are on sale today and can be purchased from Downtown Records and Hogs Heaven Bar in Castlebar. For further information visit www.finbarhobanpresents.com
