Riley and Clíona have been performing together since 2012. They combine their unique knowledge of two ancient instruments (shakuhachi flute and Irish harp) from distinct cultural backgrounds. Since performing at the 2022 National Folk Festival in Canberra, Clíona and Riley recorded their second album which will be released early in 2023.

Riley Lee’s music is meditation. Riley is the recipient of two of the oldest and most venerated lineages of traditional shakuhachi, which can be traced back to the Zen Buddhist komusô, or “priests of nothingness” of the Edo period in Japan. (See rileylee.net)

Clíona is a Sydney-based harp player, teacher and composer is originally from Ireland where she studied Irish harp. She was recently interviewed by The Music Show’s Andrew Ford where she spoke about Ireland’s rich thousand-year history of the harp which is now recognised by UNESCO. She is well known on the folk scene having played with Chris Wheeler, Folklore, Strangelove and McMolly. (see clionaharpist.com.au)

In their newly released album Golden Kelp, they bring to us Irish airs never before performed on harp and shakuhachi as well as soundscapes inspired by nature. This album follows the success of their previous EP, Snow Flurries.

PERFORMANCE TIME

Sat 19 Aug: 12:00pm – The Quakers’ Hall