Violin, Vocals

Rosie is a classically trained violinist, teacher and associate director of the Vancouver Corelli Strings. She is the founder and director of the West Coast Fiddleheads and holds fiddle workshops around the lower mainland.

Twenty years ago, Blackthorn’s beautiful and intriguing arrangements sparked her curiosity and lured her into exploring fiddle music. Now this fiddling gypsy is happy to create her own compositions, adding that extra spice to the Blackthorn stew pot. Some of her instrumentals are included on the latest album, "Sweet Forget Me Not".

www.violinrose.ca

Vocals, Flutes, Whistles

Michelle is an accomplished performer, teacher, accompanist, songwriter, composer and arranger. She performs and records as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with her flute, piccolo, alto flute, Irish whistles, fifes and piano. Her beautiful voice and vivacious flute playing have delighted audiences all around Canada and the US. Michelle joined Blackthorn in 1994 and a number of her own compositions and arrangements are featured with the group in all the recordings as well as live performances. Michelle also freelances with a number of music groups around town.

www.michellecarlisle.ca

Vocals, Guitars, Harmonicas, Bodhran

Born in Vancouver, Michael’s first exposure to folk music was growing up in Maillardville, a predominantly French Canadian community. His early professional musical ventures included playing saxophone in bands of various genres and singing bass for the acappella group The Melloyds. He was first introduced to Celtic music when he joined Blackthorn in 1995 and has since become a regular fixture on the Vancouver Celtic scene. Michael co-hosts weekly traditional music sessions at Dentry’s Irish Grill and Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug. He teaches bodhran and guitar at  Celtic Traditions and is a host of “In the Claddagh Ring” Friday evenings on Vancouver Co-op Radio CFRO 100.5FM.

Bass, Vocals, Bodhran, Cittern

Raised in a family of seven siblings, Tim has been surrounded by musicians since birth. Tim soon found himself singing in choirs as a child and the desire to play to audiences has never waned.

As Tim grew up, he started getting more interested in Celtic music and started writing music in a more traditional style. Fast forward to today and Tim has now grown in his musical role to  
produce and engineer albums such as the latest release by Blackthorn, “Sweet Forget Me Not”.

Dianne VanKirk (nee Foster)
May 16, 1959 – Feb 27, 2008

We are blessed with great memories of a beautiful person, the wonderful years spent making music and the many miles traveled.

Graham Carver
September 01, 1953–May 27, 2006

Graham was the musical heart of Blackthorn for many years and will be greatly missed by all of us.