As a group, Kalos features Eric McDonald on guitar, lead vocals, and mandolin, Ryan McKasson on fiddle, viola, and backup vocals, and Jerimiah McClane on accordion, piano, and background vocals. Each musician brings a wealth of experience between them.
Ryan McKasson has gained a strong reputation as a performer, composer, collaborator, and teacher. In 1994, he began attending Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School, which led him deep into the world of traditional music. In 1996 he became the youngest ever to win the US National Scottish Fiddle Championship and in vi1997 he was awarded a Merit Scholarship for Viola Performance from the University of Southern California, where he studied with legendary viola player, Donald McInnes. Ryan's professional career took a step forward when in 2004 he spearheaded the formation and development of "The McKassons''. This group released two critically acclaimed albums, Tall Tales (2004) and Tripping Maggie (2006). Over the years Ryan has recorded with a number of influential artists, his playing appears on fellow Scottish fiddle champion Hanneke Cassel's three albums Silver (2006), For Reasons Unseen (2009), and Dot the Dragon's Eyes (2013), as well as Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas's recording Highlander's Farewell (2011). In addition to McKasson & McDonald, other current projects include MAC, Ensemble Galilei, and The Syncopaths.
Eric McDonald found his way to traditional music through the rich local music scene in his hometown of Boston. Nearly a decade after studying at Berklee College of Music under world-renowned musicians such as guitarist/mandolinist John McGann and cellist Eugene Friesen, he is now established as one of the USA's premier accompanists in many styles. Eric cut his teeth playing contra dances in New England, and can still be seen playing for the dance, whenever the chance arises. Nowadays he is an active session player, regularly recording and traveling with musicians of many stripes. Touring credits include The Outside Track, Andrea Beaton, Wendy MacIsaac, and Katie McNally. In addition to McKasson & McDonald, he can currently be seen touring with the lively trio Daymark, Scottish powerhouse Cantrip, and award-winning singer/songwriter Connor Garvey. In addition to guitar accompaniment, Eric's debut solo album Rove features his unique style and approach to tunes on the mandolin, as well as carefully crafted deliveries of traditional ballads on voice and guitar.
Jeremiah McClane’s early formation was in classical piano. Jeremiah spent his teenage years playing blues and jazz and studying with legend Gary Peacock at university. He then studied Indonesian Gamelan, West African drumming, and the music of minimalist composers Steve Reich and Philip Glass. It wasn’t until his mid-twenties that Jeremiah began to immerse himself in the world of traditional Celtic and French music, studying accordion with Jimmy Keene and Frederic Paris. Jeremiah has recorded over a dozen CDs with Nightingale, the Clayfoot Strutters, Bob & the Troubadours, Le Bon Vent, and with Ruthie Dornfeld. His second solo recording, Smile When You’re Ready, was nominated by NPR in their “favorite picks,” and his fifth release, Hummingbird, with Ruthie Dornfeld, received the French music magazine “Trad Mag” Bravo award, as did his CD Goodnight Marc Chagall with Le Bon Vent. He has composed music for theater and film, including Sam Shepard’s “A Lie Of The Mind'', and has been awarded the Ontario Center For The Performing Arts “Meet The Composer” Award, and the Vermont Arts Council’s “Creation of New Work” grant.
As is customary at the venue, all of the performers will be available for discussion and purchase of their musical merchandise during the break and at the conclusion of the program. Students of Scottish and English Balladry, viola, guitar, mandolin, and French and Celtic accordion are urged to attend. As Steve Behrens of “67 Music” points out, “Ryan, Eric, and Jeremiah create music together that is at once energetic, sublime, pensive, thought-provoking and jubilant.” George Schricker, Director of Wild Rose Moon says, “Be prepared to have your faith in humans inspired by the power of their music. It’s a healing balm.”