STEPTUNE! A brand new trio packed with foot percussion, dance tunes, and songs. NY based fiddler Oona Grady and multi-instrumentalist James Gascoyne partner with pan-traditional percussive step dancer, Danielle Enblom. Together, they create a unique and innovative show with driving rhythms, contemplative arrangement, original compositions, and traditional favorites. Come on out and join STEPTUNE! as they sing, play, and step tunes and folk songs from across the North Atlantic.
News Blast!
Sadly, because of Covid-19, we had to cut our March 2020 tour short. We spent our last evening together recording this show --
Get Up in the Cool Presents: Save the Tour! STEPTUNE
We really hope you enjoy it! If you are able, we invite you to contribute to our Virtual Tip Jar. More soon...
--Oona, Danielle, & James
“Three great musical minds!” - Kevin Crawford, Lunása
Reaching from the East Coast to the Midwest, and Ireland to Appalachia, Oona Grady (fiddle/viola/vocals), Danielle Enblom (percussive dance/fiddle/vocals), and James Gascoyne (guitar/banjo/vocals), sing, play, and step tunes and folk songs from across the North Atlantic.
Steeped in Irish music for as far back as she can remember, Oona spent many years living in Cork, Ireland, where she honed her skills as a fiddle player and Irish music specialist. Upon moving back to her hometown of Ithaca, NY, Oona immersed herself in the local traditional music scene and incorporated old time and Cajun tunes into her repertoire.
A Minneapolis, MN, native and a lifelong student of dance, Danielle specializes in Irish step and sean-nós dancing, as well as Irish fiddle. With an MA in Ethnochoreology from IT Tralee in County Kerry, Danielle’s dance studies are based on an exploration of traditional integrity, cultural plurality, and innovation. When dancing she uses steps and rhythms from the various percussive dance practices found in Ireland, Scotland, and North America.
Growing up outside Louisville, KY, James was surrounded by music from an early age; radio, vinyl records, church music, and live concerts were a part of daily life. Finding his own musical style as an adult, James always keeps his ears open for sounds – new, old, familiar, or strange. While singing and playing guitar and banjo, he delves into the traditions of American old time and Irish dance tunes, while keeping true to his borderless, experimental musical roots.
Oona, Danielle, and James collaborate between Minneapolis and Saratoga Springs as STEPTUNE!, bringing new perspectives and innovative arrangements to the music they love. Craic agus ceol (good times and music)!
“It is a pleasure to be in the presence of performers who are so smart and so much fun.” - David Van Pelt
— Argyle Brewing Company’s Cambridge, NY, Depot tasting and listening room