You only have to hear them once to become fans of Tripping Lily. This young quartet might be described as a string band with pop music sensibilities, or perhaps a cutting edge vocal quartet with acoustic instruments. Tripping Lily went to number one for several weeks on Boston’s Folk Station WUMB.

With Demetrius Becrelis (guitar/vocals/ukulele), brother Alex Becrelis (mandolin/vocals), Monica Rizzio (fiddle/vocals/ukulele), and Laird Boles (stringed bass), Tripping Lily blends a unique sound of traditional and contemporary genres. A group of musicians who draw their inspiration from within, Tripping Lily has deeply explored songwriting with their personal and passionate work. Touted as fresh, energetic, and alive, Tripping Lily’s pop-rock groundwork is cross-fertilized with folk music and cutting edge vocal harmonies. The band’s unique ability to absorb traditional music while speaking to the here and now is proof of their versatility as contemporary musicians. 

“Tripping Lily is a genre unto itself”

- The Boston Globe

RUNA burst onto the music scene during the summer of 2008 and has been taking audiences by storm ever since!  Drawing on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members, RUNA brings a contemporary and refreshing experience to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material.  Through their repertoire of both highly energetic and graceful, acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Canada, and the United States, this vocal and instrumental ensemble gives its arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound.

RUNA consists of vocalist, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist, Fionán de Barra, and Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion.  The band often performs with world-renowned, guest musicians.

Members of RUNA have played with Solas, Riverdance, Clannad, Fiddlers’ Bid, Moya Brennan, Eileen Ivers, Hazel O’Conner, Full Frontal Folk, Keith & Kristyn Getty, and the Guy Mendilow Band.  Runa won several awards at the Montgomery Buck Music Awards, including Best Entertaining Band, Best Folk Artist, Best Female Vocalist, and Best Album – “Jealousy”. 

- Gene Shay, co-founder of the Philadelphia Folk Festival; WXPN-FM, Philadelphia, PA