Alex Boatright: Biography

Alex Boatright is a concertina and harp teacher based in the Washington D.C. area.  A multiple All-Ireland medalist herself, Alex is a top teacher in the USA with regional and All-Ireland Fleadh winning students and is half of the duo Síneadh Fada with Sean-Nós dancer Shannon Dunne.  Her teaching style centers around the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of concertina playing in a way that empowers students of all levels and generations to take charge of this quirky instrument and progress toward their goals even after class has ended.

Alex studied both harp and concertina with Gráinne Hambly of Co. Mayo, but was also largely influenced by studies with Tim Collins during his stay in NYC and in frequent  classes with Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh.  She also studied fiddle with acclaimed NY Sligo fiddle teachers, Rose Flanagan and Brian Conway, whose iconic bowing style has shaped her own concertina fingering-system and bellows-work.

Alex has a Masters of Music Performance on the Cello from the University of Maryland and uses this background to bridge the classical to traditional divide many students feel coming to traditional music after already being accomplished classical players.