Willow Brae
with harpist Andrea Stern
"... a rich spectrum of aural hues, radiant to reflective"
Harpist Andrea Stern and multi-wind player Laura MacKenzie convey the warm resonance of traditional Irish and Scottish music with loving expertise. Their renditions of airs, songs, jigs and hornpipes on Celtic harp, wooden flutes, whistles, pipes, concertina and voice are transporting and truly enchanting. The unusual combination of Laura's wind-powered instruments with Andrea's glorious harp create a wondrous spectrum of sound and mood, from rousing to reflective.
Andrea has performed as a soloist and with orchestras from both North and South America. She has given concerts around the world as a featured performer on cruise ships and has been the Principal Harpist for the Minnesota Opera. In the Twin Cities Andrea provides concerts and educational programs which orient students and audiences to the wonders of the concert and Celtic harp.
Laura toured nationally with Lorie Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra for nine years, has appeared on "A Prairie Home Companion", produced many recordings of Irish and Scottish music, studied ethnomusicology and did much wandering about the countrysides of Scotland and Ireland, discovering the wonders of traditional music. Laura is currently a Bush Artist Fellow in Traditional and Ethnic Performing Arts.
Willow Brae is also available as a trio with percussion, and with Irish step-dancers. In addition to concerts, Laura and Andrea also offer school, family and community programs, combining music with stories, lore and dance.
Laura and Andrea have collaborated on a number of studio projects - their Willow Brae compilation CD "Collected" is now available on this website. (Click HERE for sound samples)