Q&A with Mairead Nestbitt

Q: How did having grown up in Ireland shape you as a person? As an artist?
A: Growing up in Ireland, being such a musical country with songs, stories, poetry and music handed down from generation to generation, is very inspiring both as an artist and as a person. My family are very musical and are my main inspiration, along with having the good fortune to work with other great musicians.

Q: As one of the stars of Celtic Woman, you’re now part of an Irish entertainment juggernaut: you have best-selling CDs, your TV specials NEVER seem to be off PBS, and you’ve toured the world. How has this changed your life?
A: Celtic Woman has being a whirlwind of an experience and continues to be. It is such a privilege to be able to do what you love doing and bringing music to so many people all over the world. I get to do so much of what I love in our shows, on our DVDs and CDs, from my solo numbers to the ensemble numbers. It is life-changing to now be an inspiration to so many young violinists/ fiddlers, and I have met quite a lot of them on tour after our shows and also get lovely letters from them. This is really something and feels wonderful.

Q: What went through your mind the first time you heard your record on the radio?
A: I remember thinking that it sounded lovely! Obviously recordings sound differently on different systems, and on radio. It was great that it sounded so nice.

Q: What’s the best part of this experience? Any drawbacks?
A: The best part of this experience is doing what I love on stage, bringing music to so many people, inspiring people and meeting people._We always say that the two hours on stage every night is the best two hours of the day . . . it really is the best part, and there are no drawbacks about that!

Q: What are your favorite songs to sing in concert? In the shower? At 3 a.m. in a pub?
A: I don’t really sing in any of these places! But I do like a lot of songs that I grew up with and sing them from time to time.

Q: What would we be surprised to learn about you?
A: I love running!

Q: Favorite form of relaxation?
A: Definitely running! and walking on the beach near home.

Q: If you hadn’t been a violinist, what career path might you have followed?
A: If I had not been a violinist, I would have been really interested in law.

Q: If you could do one thing in your life over again, what would it be?
A: Nothing, nothing at all, I wouldn’t change anything.

Q: Funniest or most surreal celebrity encounter / incident?
A: I’ve been really lucky to have met quite a lot of celebrities and famous musicians. All were fantastic. I met Justin Timberlake a few times, and his parents were along on a tour to Europe. They come from a very musical background. I told them I met Goldie Hawn and that her Dad was a Dixieland fiddle player. They said they knew that and that they were from the same area. That was great!

Q: How many songs do you have on your iPod / in your music library? What cheesy one-hit wonder would I be surprised to find there?
A: Loads and loads . . . I don’t know if I have any one hit wonders but we love Googling 80’s and 90’s hits when we get our hair and makeup done for a show! There have been some gems, and we sing along to them!

Q: Favorite film? Book? Food? Drink?
A: My favorite film would have to be “Whalerider.” My favorite book would be “The Life of Paganini.” My favorite drink: some champagnes or red wine.

Q: What inspires you?
Music, poetry, family and friends.

Q: One thing you never leave home without?
A: My violin! Plus, my iPod and moleskin music notebook.

Q: Advice for someone contemplating a career in the music business?
A: If you are prepared to work hard, love what you do with a passion and be different, then music is for you.

Q: Best advice anyone ever gave you?
A: Take the road less traveled- Robert Frost; The Road Not Taken.

Q: Of what personal accomplishment are you most proud?
A: I just feel very lucky to do what I love doing and to make people happy. That makes me feel better than any accomplishments.