CRAIC IN THE STONE

JANELLE VIONE: Vocals — Janelle had the privilege of growing up in a large family that loves music. They made up the majority of the church choir/band, so singing together in six-part harmony was a regular occurrence. It wasn’t until Janelle was older that she learned it isn’t standard practice for families to burst into song whenever they gather. From makeshift, backyard concerts. local theaters, to the mainstage at a center for the performing arts, live performance has been a lifelong passion. She moved from Northern California to attend CSUF, where she received her BA in Theatre Arts. Being a musical person with a theatrical background (and a redhead) it only makes sense that Janelle was won over by the beauty, heartbreak and joy of Celtic music. When she’s not rocking out with Craic in the Stone, she’s either working at The Happiest Place on Earth or tending to her cat, Levin.

BILL STRONGIN:  Bass, Piano  — Bill hails from Omaha, NE, widely recognized as the birthplace of Gerald Ford and one of America’s top 20 drunkest cities. After graduating from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with an MA in Music, he began working in the theater, first as a music director (Sweeny Todd, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, And the World Goes Round, among others) and later as an actor specializing in British playboys and smarmy Southerners. He left for the sunnier shores of California in early 2001 and became a Resident Artist at The Chance Theater in Anaheim, where the band was first assembled. His musical influences range from Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy to Frank, Dean, and Sammy to the Beatles, Stones, and beyond. Il adore voyager, surtout dans les pays celtes de la France; donc, si vous voulez écouter une belle chanson, c’est lui le mec!

CHRIS CAPUTO: Vocals — Chris’ musical journey began at four years old when she started singing in the church choir. Despite her parents repeatedly begging for some quiet, she hasn’t stopped singing a day since. Chris’ eclectic musical taste can be evidenced by the many different genres she has performed, from opera to metal, folk music to rock. Musical theater was her first passion and her Soprano voice has allowed her to play roles such as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and Cosette in Les Misérables. Growing up in a suburb of Washington, D.C., Chris has had the privilege of performing at world-class venues such as The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and The Arena Stage. With Irish, Scottish, and Welsh ancestry on both sides, Chris has fond memories of singing traditional Celtic tunes as a child, many of which are in the band’s repertoire. Chris also dabbles in guitar and is teaching herself to play the spoons.

MATT BRISLAWN: Violin, Mandolin — Matt brings a long and richly varied musical pedigree to Craic in the Stone, starting with Classical violin at age nine, then mandolin, Classical guitar, and viola. This training led him to become concertmaster for orchestras, chamber groups, and string quartets in LA.  Eventually intending to be a literature professor, Matt earned a degree in English Lit. from UCLA and started his grad studies, but found his real joy in playing fiddle with many southland country and Irish bands, including the McGrath Bros., the Limericks, and the Whooligans. Matt still teaches all styles of violin, and brings his boundless energy and magnetism to the stage to the delight of audiences everywhere. To relax, he enjoys reading, writing, and doing crossword puzzles…in ink.

JAY ROFSKY: Guitar — Jay has fond childhood memories of singing and playing music at the piano next to his mother (his father is completely tone deaf, so Jay was off to a promising start). By age 10, Jay was listening to rock on vinyl, and by age 11, he had attended his first concert (Led Zeppelin). At 12, he got his first guitar and was hooked. Learning mostly by ear, Jay played along with his favorite records and never looked back. Though he may have slowed down while earning a doctorate degree and raising a family, Jay’s love of music has motivated him to keep playing a variety of music with various bands. He has had the good fortune to play or share the stage with some serious talent, including Poncho Sanchez, Michael Paulo, and the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Jay believes playing with Craic in the Stone is a wonderful opportunity to broaden his range through a unique style of music.

SCOTTY MCKAY:  Bodhrán, Percussion — Scott picked up a guitar and bass in junior high, finding that music came naturally. He later studied music seriously in the Golden West College commercial music program, where he learned recording engineering when it was still “on tape”. Inspired by sessions at Abbey Road Studios and The Record Plant, he built his current studio (his fourth), and still loves fiddling with the knobs. He earned a BA in radio/TV/film and had a thriving DJ career in local radio stations and night clubs before going on to law school and building a successful practice (a guy has to make a living!). His love of music never waned, and he continued his path by studying jazz guitar for 12 years. In a fortuitous turn of events born out of his travels to Ireland, he ended up playing Bodhran and Cajon in a Celtic folk band. Go figure. The Scottish side of his family, who can trace their roots back to the highlands and Robert the Bruce, is proud. Sláinte!