Write a comment
A 15-year-old musician from Rostrevor made her international debut this week, joining celebrated Irish folk group Na Leanai on their 8 day tour of Denmark.
Ava Turnbull follows in the footsteps of her grandmother Anne Sands and is the third generation of the world-famous Sands Family, to perform on the international stage.
Na Leanai, which is Irish for The Children, was founded by Anne's daughters Sorcha and Eimear and their cousins Fra, Rye and Moya Sands. The group has been touring Europe for over a decade, performing to audiences at home and abroad with their musicianship and harmonies. The group are popular in Denmark and will return there again in July for Denmarks oldest festival, the Skagen Festival.
The connection to family history adds a particular significance to Ava's debut. Anne Sands was the same age when she and her brothers Ben, Colum, Dino and Tom appeared at Carnegie Hall in New York at a St Patrick's Night gala concert in 1970, marking the moment the Sands Family burst onto the world stage.
Ava, who sings and plays fiddle and guitar, is a fourth year pupil at Our Lady's Grammar and also studies music at Flynn Performing Arts. Her teacher, Fiona Flynn, has helped her find her own voice and develop the confidence to perform alongside seasoned professional musicians.
Speaking of the experience Ava said : "It's definitely a bit surreal. Knowing my grannie was this age when she started out at Carnegie Hall makes this first tour for me even more special. I've grown up with these songs and I'm excited to be here on stage sharing them in Denmark."
On this tour, Ava performed alongside her mother Sorcha on flute, whistles, bodhran and vocals, Fra Sands on guitars and vocals, and Annie Hassan from New York City on fiddle and vocals. Her addition brings a fresh energy to the group's four-part harmonies.
