There is truly a mystical quality to their playing. They create a lyrical sound that is at once unique as well as seamless. Lori Lander Murphy, Irish Philadelphia

RUNA draws on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members and offers a contemporary and refreshing approach to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material. Through their repertoire of both highly energetic and graceful, acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States, this vocal and instrumental ensemble gives its arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound.

Members of RUNA have played with Solas, Riverdance, Slide, Clannad, Fiddlers’ Bid, Moya Brennan, Eileen Ivers, Hazel O’Conner, Full Frontal Folk, Keith amp; Kristyn Getty, Barcó, and the Guy Mendilow Band.

RUNA consists of vocalist, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist, Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, and Tomoko Omura of Japan on the fiddle. The band often performs with world-renowned, guest musicians, including Dave Curley (Slide) on Mandolin & vocals and with Isaac Alderson on the uilleann pipes, flutes, and whistles.

The band won several awards at the 2010 Montgomery Buck Music Awards, including Best Entertaining Band, Best Folk Artist, Best Female Vocalist, and Best Album – “Jealousy.” Jim Allford of PA Music Scene writes, “The band is going to be reckoned with and I really feel they are Grammy bound within time.”

RUNA recently released their second album, Stretched On Your Grave, in March 2011. Hailed by Irish Philadelphia as “an inspired album from a group that has found its voice, and its place, in the world of Irish music,” journalist Lori Lander Murphy describes it as, “a joyful gem that deserves its own place in the annals of Celtic music.”

For contemporary Celtic music at its very best – do yourself a favor and check out RUNA… brilliant! Gene Shay, co-founder of the Philadelphia Folk Festival; WXPN-FM