Fiddler Katherine First comes to this music via the violin and classical training. She grew up north of New York City playing in symphonies and quartets. Years later, settled in Northampton, Massachusetts, she was a mainstay with the Pioneer Valley Symphony - until 1996 when she heard fiddler Craig Eastman perform at the Black Sheep. First was totally transformed by the notes that flew from the fiddler's bow - and the journey began! She joined all the local Celtic sessions and began studying as much about the tradition as possible. In 1999 the music brought her to Ireland. Over the years she has studied at Irish Arts Week in the Catskills with Liz Carroll, Seamus Connolly, Tommy Peoples, Matt Cranitch, Adam Sweet and Susan Conger. She has also been a longtime member of the Celtic band Dicey Riley who regularly hold court (and rock the house!) at O'Dricoll's Pub in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Additionally, when not on the road, she leads the Celtic Session at The Basement in Northampton, Massachusetts. Katherine First, says Valley Free Radio, "...delivers traditional tunes with finesse and firepower."