Fiona Howell is a traditional Irish flute and whistle player as well as a sean-nós singer. She grew up in a family of rock, dance, blues, and contemporary classical musicians, but found her passion in her Celtic roots.
Fiona graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Loyola University New Orleans in 2014, where she studied classical flute with Patti Adams. She has studied at the Acadia School of Traditional Music and Arts of 2014 and 2015 with Nicole Rabata and Vishten. Her other inspirational Irish flute and whistle teachers include Hanz Araki, Shannon Heaton, Brian Finnegan, and Pete Purvis of Gaelic Storm; and for voice, John Doyle.
Fiona played Irish music in New Orleans for five years, often at The Irish House, where she appeared in the local music magazine, Offbeat, and on Fox News 8 for St. Patrick’s Day. Fiona has also played and sung on “New Hampshire Chronicle,” a local TV news show in her home state of New Hampshire, with her session gang at May Kelly's Cottage. Fiona appeared with Chris Gray at the Celtic Celebration of Belfast, ME in 2014; you can find them both there again in the Summer of 2016. Fiona performed live with Chris Gray and Jennifer Torrance on WERU, the legendary and beloved Maine radio station, on Matt Murphy's "Wicked Good Music Hour.”
Fiona released her debut album, Crossing The Sea, in January 2015. Contributing musicians include Chris Gray, on pipes, and on bodhrán, Steve Wehmeyer, a founding member of Gaelic Storm (the Irish band from the movie, Titanic). The CD was mastered by Irish flutist, Grey Larsen. Crossing The Sea was inspired by the Irish myth of the selkie, the focus of the cover art created by her composer-artist sister, Julia Howell.