Brian Leahy
Brian Leahy has been on the Irish Folk scene since 1984, first as half of an Irish duo, and then forming Leahys Luck with his brother Tom in 1990. His musical interests started in theater during the late 60's, leading to three years with The Milwaukee Opera Company. With broad tastes in music it is not unusual to hear him breaking into his stellar rendition of the Roy Orbison classic, "Crying". He is also founding member of The Differentials a 60's 70's soft rock vocal group.
Brian plays guitar adding foot-powered percussion with a tambourine. His most prominent talents are his expressive vocals, storytelling, and an occasional display of sibling rivalry.
Tom Leahy
Tom Leahy has been performing Irish, world and liturgical music since 1990. He retired from FedEx in 2008 after 35 years of service with the company, and is now able to devote much more of his time to musical endeavors. He often plays with his son in the popular duo Evan & Tom at various venues. He looks forward to expanding his interest in this musical venue.
Evan Leahy
Tom's son, a world-class Irish drummer, has played internationally. While the bodhran he masters as his foundation, he continues to develop his talent with guitar and vocals. Listen for the bluegrass influences when Evan picks up his guitar. Evan leads the popular Evan and Tom Leahy Band
Stas Venglevski
Stas Venglevski is a bayan accordion virtuoso, performing with symphonies internationally, the Milwaukee Pops Orchestra led by Doc Severinsen, has appeared with Garrison Keillors A Prairie Home Companion and numerous venues far and near. His artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stas, a native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, world-wide acclaim. With ten recordings to his credit he has served as President of the prestigious International Accordionists and Teachers Guild. A lover of all types of music, Stas is the consumate entertainer adding his own all-world flavor to the sound of Leahys Luck.
Joe Ketchum
Joe Ketchum, fiddler & violinist extraordaire decided to jump with both feet into the rock world, electrifying the instruments, using a drumset, and adding vocals. The attempt is to create a totally new pop sound. On cover songs, using the electrified strings to emulate the original sounds and capture the essence of what made these songs work in the first place. With their original music, Joe (also known as Joe 2.0) aims to produce something totally unique, yet accessible, creating sounds not heard before from a string quartet blended seamlessly with the lush sounds the instruments naturally produce. His sounds offer a unique character to the blend of Leahys Luck.
Tatiana Migliaccio
Violinist Tatiana Migliaccio was born in the Ukraine and graduated from the Musical College of Ternopil and later at the Lviv Conservatory with degrees in Master of Chamber Music Performance and Pedagogy. Tatiana began her music career playing in the Lviv Symphony and toured with the orchestra to Poland, Russia, Germany, Bulgaria, and Estonia. After coming to the United States in 1994, Tatiana became a member of numerous orchestras to include the Rockford Symphony, Milwaukee Ballet and the University of Chicago Orchestras. In 2005 Tatiana became a member of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music faculty successively teaching violin, music theory and chamber music to WCM students. Along with her teaching, Tatiana currently plays in the Green Bay, Waukesha, Kenosha and Festival City Symphony Orchestras and a very welcomed addtition to Leahys Luck.
Some of the family Charter Members return home now and then, and add nostalgia, family feeling, and their talents on occasions such as Irish Fest, St. Patrick's Day, and other holiday times. Here's what they are doing in their new home towns:
Michelle
Michelle (Leahy) Ellison is the eldest of Brian's children. She still loves to bring her fiddle to Leahys Luck performances and joins the band a couple times a year, usually for St. Patrick's and Milwaukee's Irish Fest. Michelle and her husband Andrew currently reside in Southern California. She has one daughter and a bun in the oven!
Caitlin
Caitlin Leahy, Brian's youngest daughter, lives in the Denver Colorado area. She's able to break free from her work obligations to join Leahys Luck more frequently than her sisters. Her vocals were featured prominently in Leahys Luck latest album, Near and Far. Her interest in politics and dietetics continue to guide her career choices. Caitlin attended St. Louis University and graduated with majors in Political Science, International Studies, and Spanish.
Sarah
Sarah (Leahy) Emerson, the second of Brian's three daughters wishes she could perform more often with her father, uncle, and family. Her role in campus ministry is quite fulfilling. Sarah's vocals, tin whistle, and infectious smile are sorely missed in Leahys Luck stage mix. She hopes to someday move closer to the Midwest and join her family for more than just Milwaukee's Irish Fest and St. Patrick's Day. Sarah attended University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire earning a degree in Nursing. She married Aaron Emerson in 2003, her partner in campus ministry. Two daughters...my how time flies!
Maura
Maura Leahy Adams put away her accordion when she left for the East Coast in 2002, but she remains grateful for the father and uncle who, legend has it, bribed her into taking up that infamous accordion instrument when she was 15 years old - for if a teenage girl can survive that humiliation, she'll never fear public speaking! Maura now lives in Concord, New Hampshire with her husband Brian (a great man). She works as Program Director for Northern Forest Center and spends a lot of time being active outdoors. Maura graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2001 with degrees in History and Biological Aspects of Conservation. In 2005 she graduated from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies with a master's degree in Environmental Management. The girl knows what she wants and how to get it!
Colin
Colin Leahy currently resides in the Olympia Washington. His interest in using his hands to create continues to reveal itself in his dedication to residential real estate development and management. Colin's presence with percussion can be heard on the latest album, Near and Far. When Colin and his cousin Evan are together there is bound to be mischief, they are rascals together!
