I'm primarily a soloist, though I also perform with "Marcille Wallis & Friends," a revolving collective of talent. The lineup for the upcoming season includes Marcille Wallis (dulcimer, bodhran, guitar), Don Pigeon (vocals, mandolin, flute, whistle, guitar, bodhran, banjo), Matt Miller (fiddle), Ann & Cal Lloyd (Irish and Scottish dance), Robin Hendrickson (bagpipes), and Michael DeLalla (guitar, bodhran, vocals).
Influences
My parents ... "The Three B's": Bach, Beethoven and Brahms ... Rose Hahn Dirr ... Paula Massie ... Bob Dylan ... The Beatles ... Elton John, Billy Joel, and Barry Manilow ... Walt Michael, John McCutcheon, Sam Rizzetta, and Maggie Sansone ... Alison Krauss ... Altan ... Aly Bain ... Ann Margaret McKillop ... Eileen Ivers ... Frances Pisacane ... Grainne Hambly ... James Kelly ... Johnny Cunningham ... Mark Knopfler ... Matt Miller ... Michael DeLalla ... Natalie Merchant ... Robin Bullock ...
Born and raised in sunny Florida, I began to study classical piano at age six. I developed an early love for folk music by taking up the guitar at age nine and soon afterward formal piano recitals contrasted gigs featuring "The Manatee Avenue Demons," a group of neighborhood kids who played sandlot baseball by day and Bob Dylan tunes at night. As a teenager I was afforded the chance to study for a summer at London, England's Royal Academy of Music. My instructors there were some of the same people who had taught Elton John and collaborated with Paul McCartney!
I have played in professional capacities since I was a teenager, accompanying singers and instrumentalists of many different musical genres, from country to rock to opera. For many years I was organist in my childhood church (First Baptist Church of Arcadia, Florida) and I've anchored the orchestra at piano for a number of Broadway-style musicals.
An interest in early music led me to take up the dulcimer in 1991. I attended Asheville, North Carolina's inaugural "Swannanoa Gathering," an annual series of folk arts workshops internationally known as an inspiration for serious students of traditional acoustic music.
Working with guitarist Anthony Delle Donne I began making presentations in Charlotte County, Florida, schools. Out of this collaboration grew an invitation to play at the newly opened Celtic Ray Public House in Punta Gorda, Florida, in 1997. Drawing upon our shared love of music and my years in the classroom, we formed the band Ceol Binn ("sweet music" in Gaelic). In autumn of 2000, we teamed up with Trina Schyhol to release our first CD, "The Celtic Ray."
I've since moved on to a full-time solo career, and have released seven more CDs. The CDs receive world-wide airplay on radio stations and the Internet, and selections have been used in TV and movie scores. My performance venues have expanded to include festivals and fairs, churches, concert halls and attractions such as Walt Disney World, the Biltmore Estate, and Dollywood. If not playing as a soloist I'm probably appearing with "Marcille Wallis & Friends," a revolving collective of musicians and dancers that includes some of the best in the business.
Greg McGrath, former CPA and veteran of the New York City music industry, has teamed with me to form Celtic Heritage Productions (CHP). CHP is co-founder of two Celtic Festivals in Florida (Caloosahatchee and Peace River) and producer of three concert series: "My Heart's In The Highlands" (a musical tribute to Rabbie Burns), a high energy St. Patrick's concert series, and the much-beloved "Christmas With The Celts," which in 2009 celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
I am going to try like heck to make the Punta Gorda one - I don't know yet. And yay finally get to meet in person! Been better, still out of work, but not too bad. At least finally have the lawsuit crap over from the accident - it didn't make me feel any better but knowing it is over was just one less headache. I have been using FaceBook mostly so I'll have to go back through your blogs later tonight and catch up on your travels!
Hi Marcille, thanks for the invitation to the festival. Unfortunately for me it's a little far away. Your music makes me a lot of fun - your dulcimer has a beautiful sound. Many greetings from Bochum, Germany, Andreas
Thank u for the invite to MOunt Dora, it doesn't look like I will make it but definately send me a invite for the tarpon springs craft festival as that is much closer to me and I DEFINATELY want to go. Thank u for being a friend, enjoy ur week! ;)
Hello! I'm feeling 100% better cant wait for the Big-E. I actually did a drum cover for a song off of "A Mighty Fortress" it was track 5... forgot the name off the bat, but I wish I had recorded it! =) Have an awesome day, and ya, I'll be there; in a peaceful state of pure mental bliss!
Thanks Marcille for your kind comments. We paired "Butterfly" on the second track with "On Jordan's Stormy Banks." I never play that tune without thinking fondly of you and Renzo playing that tune at our Evart jams. It sounded magical!
