Michelle Matts, Flutist
PolyCeltic
PolyCeltic
PolyCeltic is an acoustic trio who focuses on a British Isles/American folk sound, utilizing hammered dulcimer, guitar, flutes, melodica, harmonica, auxillary, and vocals. They play a wide variety of traditional reels, jigs, hymns, ballads, and folk songs. The trio has appeared in a variety of venues across Virginia.
The member of PolyCeltic are:
Chris Lucas: Lead Vocalist, Guitar, Melodica, Harmonica, Composer/arranger of PolyCeltic's music
Michelle Matts: Flutes, Piccolo, Penny Whistles, Vocals
Tom Abernethy: Hammered Dulcimer, Guitar, Harp, Recorder, Bohdran, Vocals
Chris Lucas received two music degrees from VCU and has been involved in performing and teaching in the Richmond area for many years, while working full time for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, from which he retired in 2016. PolyCeltic's "Amid the Winter's Snow" album is the seventh album he has recorded and produced. He currently teaches at the Veritas School in Richmond, and also performs solos in many area establishments, as well as being invoved in leading worship and playing in his home church in Richmond.
Michelle Matts has a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from VCU and a Master of Music Degree in Flute Performance from the University of Arkansas. Michelle performs as a soloist and chamber musician in various concerts and events throughout Virginia and the United States. She is a music teacher and most specifically these days, a private flute and piano teacher. She is married and homeschools her five children.
Tom Abernethy began playing guitar and banjo as teenager, and became interested in the hammered-dulcier after hearing a recording of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in the 1980s. That led to over 30 years of playing the hammered-dulcimer. He recorded a solo album of his own instrumental compositions and arrangements, featuring the hammered-dulcimer in 2000. He is in great demand and plays with several musicians throughout Virginia. Tom enjoys playing regularly for worship services at his local church. He curretly teaches math at Mechaincsville High School.
Tom and Michelle began playing together in 2017 and decided they needed a name, as concerts were becoming more frequent. Tom suggested, "PolyCeltic". "Poly", meaning "many" from Tom's math background, and representing many genres of music; and "Celtic", representing the Irish/Scottish songs, instruments, and flavor of much of the music they play. Chris joined PolyCeltic a year later. The name proves to be symbolic of the many tunes in their repertoire, largely with Celtic origin and flavor.
The three enjoy playing in PolyCeltic because they never cease to be inspired by the sound of these instruments played together.
"When I hear music, I fear no danger, I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." - Henry David Thoreau
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PolyCeltic's Christmas CD,
"Amid the Winter's Snow",
is available for purchase.
Visit the Store Page to purchase, or email Michelle at michelle@mfifer.com
You can also purchase "Amid the Winter's Snow" on iTunes and a host of other platforms.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolyCeltic/
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PolyCeltic's Upcoming Performances:
2022
Sunday, May 15th, 7pm
- at Mineral Baptist Church
51 Lousia Ave, Mineral, VA 23117
Saturday, May 21, 7pm
- at Farmville Presbyterian Church
200 W. Third St, Farmville, VA 23901
Sunday, June 5th, 10am
- at Forrest Hill Baptist Church
4409 S. Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville, VA 22942
Thursday, June 9th, 7:30pm
- at Westminister Canterbury
1600 Westbrook Ave, Richmond, Va 23270
Monday, June 13, 7pm
- at Covenant Woods
90 Covenant Woods Dr, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
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Previous Performances:
2022
Monday, May 9th, 7:30pm
- at Cedarfiled
2300 Cedarfield Pkwy, Henrico, Va 23233
Monday, March 7th, 7pm
- at Imperial Plaza
717 Bellevue Ave, Richmond, VA 23227
Sunday, Feb. 27th, 10am
- at Elpis Christian Church
2703 Elpis Church Rd, Maidens, VA 23102
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2021
Sunday, Dec. 12th, 6:30pm
- at Biltmore Baptist Church
1300 New York Ave, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Saturday, Dec. 11th, 7pm
- at Beaverdam Baptist Church
19110 Beaver Dam Rd, Beaverdam, VA 23102
Sunday, Dec. 5th, 7pm
- at Elpis Christian Church
2703 Elpis Church Rd, Maidens, Va 23102
Thursday, July 1, 2021, 1pm
- at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
11220 Nuckols Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Monday, May 10th, 7:30pm
- at Cedarfield
2300 Cedarfield Pkwy, Henrico, VA 23233
Wednesday, March 17th, 6:30pm
- at Lakewood
1900 Lauderdale Dr, Richmond, VA 23238
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2020
Sunday, December 20th, 6:30pm
- at Little River Baptist Church
4959 Buckener Rd, Bumpass, VA 23024
Sunday, December 13th, 6pm
- at Beaverdam Baptist Church
19110 Beaver Dam Rd, Beaverdam, VA 23015
Sunday, October 25th, 10am
- at Elpis Christian Church
2703 Elpis Church Rd, Maidens, VA 23102
Saturday, July 25th, 4:30pm
RVA Baroque
- at The Branch Museum of Architecture & Design
2501 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
Monday, July 20th, 7-8pm
- at Covenant Woods
7090 Covenant Woods Dr., Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Monday, March 9th, 7pm
- at Lakewood
1900 Lauderdale Dr., Henrico, VA 23228
CANCELLED
Tuesday, March 17th, 2020, 6:30pm
PolyCeltic
- at St. Mary's Woods
1257 Marywood Ln, Henrico, VA 23229
CANCELLED
Sunday, March 22nd, 2020, 11:55am
PolyCeltic
- at the Irish Music Festival, on the Celtic Stage
25th & E. Broad Street in Church Hill, RVA
www.churchhillirishfestival.com
CANCELLED
Thursday, July 2nd, 2020, 11am
PolyCeltic
- at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
11220 Nuckols Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059
CANCELLED
Sunday, July 19th,2020, 10am
PolyCeltic
- at Zion Christian Church
16158 Beaverdam School Rd, Beaverdam, VA 23015
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2019
Saturday, December 21st, 2019, 3pm - at Edgeworth Park at New Town
5501 Discover Park Blvd. Williamsburg, VA 23188
Sunday, December 15th, 2019, 6pm - at Hugenot Road Baptist Church
10525 West Hugenot Rd., Richmond, VA 23235
Sunday, December 8th, 2019, 6pm- at Little River Baptist Church
4959 Buckner Rd., Bumpass, VA 23024
Monday, November 25th, 2019, 7pm - at Covenant Woods
7090 Covenant Woods Dr., Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Sunday, November 10th, 2019, 3pm - the Brandermill Church
4500 Millridge Pkwy., Midlothian, VA 23112
September 22nd, 2019, 10am - Elpis Christian Church
2703 Elpis Church Rd., Maidens, VA 23102
June, 2019 - Rassawek Spring Jubilee
6276 River Rd. W, Columbia, VA 23038
Sunday, May 26th, 2019, 10am - Elpis Christian Church
2703 Elpis Church Rd., Maidens, VA 23102
Sunday, May 19th, 2019, 6:30pm - Little River Baptist Church
4959 Buckner Rd., Bumpass, VA 23024
Saturday, April 27th, 2019, 1pm - Bethia U.M. Church
Sunday, March 17th, 2019, 6pm - Salem Baptist Church
465 Broad Street Rd., Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103
Monday, March 4th, 2019, 7pm - Imperial Plaza
1717 Bellevue Ave., Richmond, VA 23227
Sunday, February 10th, 9am - 2019. Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
11220 Nuckols Rd., Glen Allen, VA 23059
Sunday, January 27th, 2019, 10am - Elpis Christian Church
2703 Elpis Church Rd, Maidens, VA 23102
