The power to evoke deep feeling lured Barbary Grant from a successful career as a classical pianist into the lyrical world of traditional Celtic music. Now her rich Irish harp and crystal-clear voice breathe new life into the old songs of the Gael.

Her affection and respect for Celtic musical traditions have led Barbary to the study of Gaelic languages. She now performs songs in Irish, Scots Gaelic, and even Manx. This homage won her first place in the sean nós competition at the 1998 Great American Irish Fair. (Sean nós - "old style" in Irish - is a highly ornamented style of a cappella singing.)

By turns romantic and playful, Barbary's music and warm stage presence have captivated concert-goers for more than a decade. A favorite performer at Scottish Games and Celtic Fairs throughout California, she has shared the stage with Boys of the Lough, Eric Rigler / Bad Haggis, the Wicked Tinkers, John Whelan, Alex Beaton, and Craicmore.

Off-stage Barbary works as a hospital musician at Stanford University and El Camino Hospitals. With wheels strapped to the base of her harp, she moves through the hospitals playing soothing music for patients, families, and staff everywhere from the newborn nurseries to Intensive Care Units.

In 1997 Barbary recorded her first CD, Brigit's Well, with flautist Aimee Aul under the Changeling Records label. Her solo recordings, Bonny at Morn and Celtic for Kids (Recommended by Parents' Choice) followed in 2002. Ellipsis Arts selected three of her graceful songs for their Celtic Dreams CD (2003). Barbary celebrated the release of Soft Mild Morning, a collection of soothing harp instrumentals (2004).