Devin Shepherd: Fiddle, Arranger, Grúpaí Cheoil
Devin Shepherd is an Irish fiddler and composer from Chicago. At age 24, his career has already afforded opportunities to perform in a wide variety of settings encompassing a multitude of musical perspectives.
He first toured the US at the age of 18, after retiring from competition as the undefeated solo fiddle champion at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil for nine consecutive years, a competition which he has since adjudicated. Since then his performance venues have ranged from a Las Vegas casino to the Kennedy Center and beyond.
Devin earned a degree in Music Composition from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in 2005. Even before finishing school, he received several professional commissions, notably from New York City-based Dramaton Theatre for "The Painted Rose," an original rod-puppet opera using life-size rod puppets in a wordless drama about a painter teetering between passion and reality.
In 2006, Devin has been focusing on an Irish duo project with All-Ireland Champion harpist Marta Cook. They are currently at work on their debut album. More collaborations with Dramaton Theatre and Puppet Kabob Productions are also in the works!