"Virtuoso technique, an instinctive feeling for the idiom, and the courage to improvise…they play with energy, splendid ensemble, good humor and imagination." -The Washington Post

Ensemble Galilei takes its name and inspiration from the life of composer Vincenzo Galilei, whose influence, some four hundred years ago, helped restore a vital element of passion to the music of the day.

Including both classically-trained and traditional musicians, the Ensemble infuses ancient music with a spirit of improvisation and liveliness. National Public Radio’s Performance Today said, "There’s an ease about the way they play that seems to break down the barriers that normally exist between the audience and the performer. The repertoire is very engaging, and the audience is clearly enthusiastic." Their performances move flawlessly from lush Baroque interpretations of 18th century Irish airs to infectious reels and jigs, from haunting Welsh melodies to Galician Waltzes and Breton dance tunes, stitching a tapestry of texture, harmony, and rhythm.

To achieve their unique Celtic sound, Ensemble Galilei has melded the elegance of chamber music with the energy and excitement of traditional music. An intricate blend of instruments—fiddle, Celtic harp, Scottish small pipes, recorders, penny-whistle, oboe, viola da gamba and percussion—grants listeners passage to another world, evoking musical images of the ancient Celts and bringing these images to life for today’s audiences.

Originally from Kentucky, Liz Knowles grew up within the classical violin tradition. While finishing her degree in music from SUNY Stony Brook, she discovered Irish music through the playing of Eileen Ivers, and quickly fell under its soulful spell. Liz has continued her journey into Irish music as the solo fiddler for Riverdance, as well as released her first CD, The Black Rose. Most recently, Liz can be heard on the soundtrack to Michael Collins, and on John Whelan's new CD, Celtic Crossroads. She can also be seen on MTV in a video for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and on PBS's Great Performances with Bobby McFerrin and Marcus Roberts.

Celtic Harper Sue Richards is a popular performer and teacher, and has collected tunes from the Celtic Isles for twenty years. She is a four-time American Scottish harp champion, and has released three solo CDs, including Morning Aire, which won a WAMMIE for Album of the Year and Best Traditional Album. She has appeared on over thirty albums, including Jean Redpath, Danny Doyle, Ceoltoiri, Bonnie Rideout, Maggie Sansone, Lisa Moscatiello, and Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer.

Carolyn Anderson Surrick performs viola da gamba and received her MA in Musicology from George Washington University and has performed with Ensemble Galilei, The Smithsonian Chamber Players, Voices of the Golden Age and many others. She has a brief appearance as the on-screen musician in the movie, The Pelican Brief.

Oboist, Sarah Weiner, has received numerous scholarships and awards for her musicianship and has performed at numerous summer festivals throughout the world with Ensemble Galilei, the Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra and The Bach Ensemble.

Deborah Nuse, Scottish small piper and fiddler, performs traditional Celtic music in the duo, Farther Shore and with the contra dance band, Absence of Mallards as well as Ensemble Galilei. She performs with Martita Goshen's Earthworks Dance Troupe, and has recently returned from filming their latest work in Greece. In 1997, she worked as an on-stage musician for a production of She Stoops to Conquer at the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven. Deborah holds a BFA from Ohio Wesleyan University and is a freelance illustrator, calligrapher and portrait painter.