Cathie Ryan To Sing With Hartford Orchestra

The fourth concert of the Lincoln Financial POPS! series will be led by guest conductor Jeff Tyzik, who returns following the “Big Band Blast!” concert in February 2008. The first half of the concert will feature the O'Keefe School of Irish Dance.

Ms. Ryan (who also plays the bodhrán, an Irish frame drum), will be joined by her current band members Patsy O’Brien, Duncan Wickel, Matt Mancuso, and Brian Melick for selections during the second half of the program. The group had an encore residency as part of Lincoln Center's Arts in Education Program in November and December 2007. Following a seven year tenure as the lead singer of the all-female Irish-American group “Cherish the Ladies”, Ms. Ryan started her solo career in 1995, and has since released several albums on Shanachie Records, which is home to other Celtic groups including The Chieftains, Clannad and Planxty. Born in Detroit, Ms. Ryan moved to Ireland two years ago. For more information about Cathie Ryan, please visit www.CathieRyan.Com

The Hartford Symphony’s POPS! series is presented by Lincoln Financial Foundation. The Hartford Symphony Orchestra receives major support from donors to the Greater Hartford Arts Council's United Arts Campaign and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and additional support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts. WNPR Connecticut Public Radio is a media sponsor of the Hartford Symphony - each season, the Hartford Symphony reaches thousands statewide through its broadcast concerts on the “Sunday Spotlight” program. -- www.hartfordsymphony.org