Karen Cook Cannady - Fiddles

Karen Cook Cannady began playing violin as a child and performed in school orchestras. She remained interested in violin and fiddle music all her life, becoming interested in active music making again while working and completing her Master's degree. She soon began showing up at sessions and workshops in the Chicago area. Along the way she has had instruction from Sean Cleland, native Chicagoan and former member of the trio, bohola. She also had lessons with Tommy Peoples, Kevin Crehan, and Caoimhin O'Raghallaigh.
She also became enthralled by the powerful, rhythmic flute playing of Kevin Henry and developed a real enthusiasm for playing music with Kevin and his friends, a collection of older musicians who came to Chicago during a time stretching from the 1940s to the 70s. She soon began insisting that a certain piper of her acquaintance come down to the South Side of Chicago to play at their sessions. Pat and Karen have been playing together regularly ever since, becoming a couple and eventually tying the knot in 2007. Their wedding reception was an all-night celebration of music and life, and they try to bring that joy to their music every time they play.