O'Neil Family Band

Tom O'Neil - fiddle, guitar; Jeanne O'Neil - English concertina, banjo, penny whistle, clogging, gigue; Erin O'Neil - fiddle, clogging, gigue

The O'Neils celebrate a form of dance and music that has endured for ages. Throughout the years, these tunes and dances continue to be danced and played across the country. This art form has never died out, simply because it belongs to the people. To join hands in a circle and dance to music made by friends creates a sense of unity that is a joy and delight.

Both Tom and Jeanne have been involved with folk music and dance since their teens. They met in 1978, as members of the Onion Creek Cloggers of Ames, Iowa. Since then, they have built a life in which traditional music and dance plays a daily role. Daughter Erin was born into this life in 1989. Now an important member of the band, she began step-dancing at age five, and fiddling at age seven.

The O'Neils have been holding community dances, presenting concerts, and performing since the 1980's. In 1986 they moved to the Red River Valley and formed North Country Fiddle and Dance. Their repertoire includes reels, jigs, waltzes, hornpipes, demonstrations of Appalachian clogging, and French-Canadian “gigue” dancing. The O'Neils can also provide music and instruction for dance workshops and community dance events.