As an Irish flute player and singer, Shannon Heaton’s contribution to Irish traditional music extends well beyond playing and teaching tunes and songs. Raised amid several musical and cultural traditions, including years in Nigeria and Thailand, she found her way to Irish music through the Chicago session scene and winters in County Clare. Since moving to Boston in 2001, she has become an important teacher, performer, and advocate for the tradition.
Through her work with Comhaltas, as host of the Irish Music Stories podcast, and with her Virtual Guided Session and YouTube tutorials, Shannon has worked to make Irish traditional music accessible to musicians and listeners. She is committed to sharing traditional music—not just by passing on a repertoire, but by helping to empower practitioners and build communities who value the music and the bigger stories behind it.
