Biography

Kyle has been playing the bodhran and bones since 2002 and ceili drums since 2013. Since moving to Rhode Island, Kyle has become a fixture in the Irish scene in southern New England, appearing at numerous local sessions and performing regularly with Fellswater, appearing on their new album Skipping Stones. Kyle has also shared the stage with Liam HartThe Vox HuntersLindsay Straw, Torrin Ryan, and has recorded for the New England Arts Institute, as well as lending his percussive sound to The Vox Hunters’ acclaimed debut recording. Kyle competed in the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Sligo, Ireland in 2015 and also attended the 2014 Craiceann Bodhran Summerschool in Inis Oirr, Co. Galway.

In May 2013, Kyle teamed up with fellow bodhran players Andy Kruspe and Brent Cuyler of Finnegan Hill Irish Percussion  to present the first Kentucky Bodhran Weekend workshop on the University of Kentucky campus. In November 2013, Andy and Kyle, assisted by Mike Clem, Garrett Smith, and John Skelton, presented a lecture called The Irish Bodhran In Context: Celebrating the Evolutions of a Modern Tradition at the 2013 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis. Kyle has also assisted flutist John Skelton in his presentations at the Berea Celtic Festival and has given a number of clinics, lectures, and demonstrations on Irish percussion to university percussion and world music programs throughout the country.

In 2012, Kyle helped the Cooperman Drum Company redesign their tipper models.

From 2011-2013 he was a regular guest of the group Liam’s Fancy (Dan Cummins, Beverly Buchanan, and John Skelton) in Lexingon, Kentucky.

While living in Germany in 2009-2010, he received instruction from Harry Sawatzki of the band Celtic Chakra and from Rolf Wagels and Guido Plüschke during their popular BodhranWeekends. During this time he also appeared on Rudi Schömann‘s album Pischbere, on the Leiselaut label (more info about that recording here).

Kyle is also an active member of the Reynolds-Hanafin-Cooley branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. When he’s not playing the bodhran, Kyle can usually be found learning tunes on the mandolin.