ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT
STEPTUNE!
is 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. Join STEPTUNE! as they sing, play, and step tunes and folk songs from across the North Atlantic.
HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS
photo by CJ Hordynski
photo by CJ Hordynski
“With the perfect balance of head and heart, STEPTUNE approaches their audience with a professor’s erudition and a student’s boundless enthusiasm; gleefully sharing their love of traditional song and dance. 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
SAMPLE VIDEOS
“Be they in life, love or music, expectations can often lead to disappointment. This most certainly is NOT the case when I think of STEPTUNE. I was extremely excited when I heard this trio was in the making and the coming together of these three great musical minds more than surpassed any expectations I initially had. Danielle Enblom, Oona Grady and James Gascoyne posses and combine all the elements I look for when making music. In more ways than one STEPTUNE are in-tune with one another. Continually listening, responding, reacting and sparking off each other in a really beautiful and engaging way that simply captivates the audience from the get go.” - Kevin Crawford, Lunása
BIOGRAPHY
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)!