The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is committed to providing free, universal access to the rich cultural tradition of Irish music, song and dance. If you’re able, we’d love for you to consider a donation. Any level of support will help us preserve and grow this tradition for future generations.
This project is co-funded by Ireland’s Department of Culture, Communications & Sport and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade as part of America 250.
Mitch Fanning of Silver Springs, Maryland has been a highly regarded teacher of Irish fiddle as well as central to significant developments in Irish traditional music in the Baltimore and D.C. area for several decades. A fiddle student of both Brendan Mulvihill and Brian Conway, Mitch is founding director of the Bog Band (2004), a traditional Irish music youth performance group. Many members have competed in regional Fleadhanna and All-Ireland competitions including All-Ireland fiddle champion, Andrew Caden. Under the auspices of the O’Neill-Malcom Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Mitch founded and for sixteen years directed Musical Arts & Dance (MAD) Week, a day camp celebrating traditional Irish music and dance. A recipient of CCÉ’s Distinguished Service Award in 2022, MAD Weekend continues each summer as a celebration of traditional Irish music and dance. Mitch became co-founder and Executive Director of the Baltimore-Washington Academy of Irish Culture (BWAIC) for children and teens. Since stepping down in 2023, BWAIC has evolved into the Baltimore Irish Music School. As well as a distinguished teacher, Mitch performs regularly at the Irish Inn at Glen Echo, Maryland as well as at other venues of stature including the Irish Embassy. *Maybe feature the link to the bog band site here?
