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, Flute, Piccolo, Pennywhistle, Fife

Starting at the wee age of eight, Michelle has played the flute, and even before that, the piano. She spent many years developing musical skills in areas including Classical, Jazz, Latin, Blues and Rock. Then along came the opportunity to "go Celtic" and she fell into the embrace of the mystical melodies, the churning rhythms and the complex harmonies. Michelle has enjoyed more than a decade playing, touring and recording (and laughing) with Blackthorn.

Vocals, 6 & 12-string Guitars, Bodhran, Keeper of the Web

One of that rare breed actually born in Vancouver, Michael has spent a good portion of his life mixed up in music. He first hit the road out of high school as a horn player in various bands and was the bass singer for the acappella group The Melloyds. He was first introduced to the Celtic scene in Vancouver when he joined Blackthorn in 1995 and has since become a regular fixture. Michael teaches bodhran at Celtic Traditions and is a host of “In the Claddagh Ring” on Co-op Radio CFRO 102.7FM.

Bass, Vocals, Bodhran, Octave-mandolin

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.