Skye Consort & Emma Björling

"An assortment of whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions”

The members of Skye Consort and Emma Björling met in Montreal for a La Nef project in 2017, when a severe storm canceled Emma’s flight home to Sweden, leading to the formation of a musical bond like no other. This group offers a perfect blend of music from various parts of the world, creating trans-Atlantic arrangements in multiple languages. As a collective, these musicians delight audiences with performances of their own original songs, which draw from Scandinavian, Irish, British, and French-Canadian influences. Their powerful arrangements and mastered musicianship can be heard on their albums Skye Consort & Emma Björling (2019) and Ode & Ballade (2024).

Emma Björling (lead vocals, percussion, shruti box) brings her award-winning vocals to Skye Consort and other Scandinavian bands, Kongero and Lyy. When Björling is not performing, she’s involved in other areas of the European folk scene as a teacher and a board member of the North Atlantic Song Community. 

Seán Dagher (lead vocals, Irish bouzouki & banjo) uses his background as an arranger, performer, and composer within the video game industry, as well as folk and classical genres, to add another layer of musicianship to this talented group.

Amanda Keesmat (cello & vocals) is an accomplished performer, both in the studio and on stage, within and outside the Montreal early music community. Throughout her musical career, she has toured the United States and Europe, collaborating with renowned ensembles, instrumentalists, and singers.  

Alex Kehler and Simon Alexandre (fiddle, nyckelharpa & vocals) complete the group, providing expertise and experience as nyckelharpa players. Kehler is a leading nyckelharpa player in Canada, and Alexandre has a musical education that began at the age of 17, which has led him to his current success in the music industry as an orchestral violinist. 

“This spectacular group filled our hearts, minds, and souls.” --NACC

“Skye Consort and Emma Björling were a Celtic treat that mesmerized audiences across the North.” --NACC

“They play everything from Swedish love songs and Scottish reels to Acadian and Québécois tunes… Lots of groups play those styles. None of them do it like Skye Consort.” --David Noel Edwards

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.

This project is made possible with funds from the Tier Three Project Support program, a regrant program of the County of Onondaga with the support of the County Executive and administered by CNY Arts.

  ~ This project is also made possible through the support and generosity of our Folkus members. ~