Live Music - Once Upon A Tune

 Born in 2017 from the solid bedrock of Fort Collins’ thriving Irish scene at Mulligan’s Pub, Once Upon a Tune is a lively, traditional, Celtic trio featuring the inspired, creative fiddle musings of Janel Vanderwarf, expressive guitar rhythms of Scott Steidley, and primal bodhran accompaniment of Mary Ellen Watterson.

Janel Vanderwarf picked up the fiddle at the age of sixteen and never looked back. Self-taught, Janel “found the soul” of her instrument at Alasdair Fraser’s world-renowned fiddle camp, Valley of the Moon. A consummate musician and beautiful vocalist, Janel is delightful to watch and will “dance her way” into your heart.

Scott Steidley brings incredible talent to the group with his driving, rhythmic guitar and melodic tenor banjo and mandolin. Scott’s stylistic playing is reminiscent of some of the biggest names in Irish music today.

Mary Ellen Watterson is a classically trained percussionist and has been playing percussion since she was a little girl. From kit to cajon, or djembe to bodhran, Mary rounds out the group with her contemporary take on voicing the bodhran.

Come kick up your heels and clap your hands to this exciting Celtic folk group, Once Upon A Tune!