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We're delighted to invite Laura and Bert to the beautiful Island of Inishbofin, off the coast of Connemara in Co. Galway, where they'll host a workshop open to all instruments and voices!
The Workshop will run from May the 14th till May the 17th 2026
We have only 25 spots available, so book your spot as fast as you can!
Who are Laura and Bert and what will they do on the Island!?
Laura Cortese has built a distinguished career as an Americana fiddler, songwriter and vocalist. She grew up in San Francisco, CA and moved to Boston, MA to study at Berklee College of Music, immersing herself in the city’s vibrant indie music scene and enjoying a busy touring-and-studio career. In 2018 she moved to Ghent Belgium. She tours internationally with her band, Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards, is co-founder of the Miles of Music Camp in New Hampshire, The Bright Lights Sessions in Ghent and is highly in demand as a collaborator.
She might best be described as a sonic magpie: a curious and resourceful adventurer traversing great distances, collecting melodies and rhythms that glitter like jewels in the sun. Driven by the gravitational pull of human connection, her tendency towards exploration and collaboration have led her into countless niches, each providing its own unique feather with which to decorate her distinct and ever-evolving sound. But all of these explorations have one thing in common: the power of strings. This may seem limiting to some. To her, it is anything but. “Strings are at the core of what I do,” she says. “Genre is secondary to that palate.”
Bert Ruymbeek is an accordion player from Ghent whose groovy energy and lyrical playing is influenced by Northern-European folk music. He studied accordion with Eddy Flecijn and was influenced by folk bands from all over Europe in Music Club ‘tEy in Belsele, his home town. Thanks to Mustafa Avsar and the jamsessions in Ghent’s ‘Muzikantenhuis’ he started playing in several bands touring internationally.
He tours internationally with WÖR, a quintet that re-interpretes 18th century music from Belgium and regularly takes part in several projects.
Laura and Bert have plenty of experience offering workshops to all sorts of musicians and are both brilliant and inspiring mentors!
Being able to cover a repertoire both from the USA and Belgium with the possibilities to focus on melodies, voices and accompaniments, this course will offer something for everyone!
The participation fee of €350 includes:
Ferry to and from the island of Inishbofin
Workshops by Laura and Bert on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Murray's Yard
Concert of Laura and Bert in duo on Friday
Lunch at Doonmore Hotel on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Hostel accommodation (bed in dorms) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at The Hostel
Simple breakfast at the hostel offered by Roots in Tune volunteers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Optional Guest workshop on Sunday Morning the 17th of May, hosted by a Lena Spideog (Local musician, originally from France).
If you wish to book the workshop, excluding the hostel accommodation and breakfast, you can do so at a participation fee of €270. The Island has limited accommodation, but if you prefer to organize your own accommodation, you can look into the availability at the hotels or rental properties, Murray's yard, where the workshop takes place, is located at Doonmore Hotel, so we definitely recommend to check out there availability if you prefer the comfort of a hotel. Locals from the Island can book the course at €245 (participation fee excluding the ferry and accommodation)
Evening meals are NOT included in the fee but a 2-course meal, served at Doonmore Hotel, can be booked separately at €25/person/meal (see application form). Alternatively there are cooking facilities at the hostel to make your own meal.
We're looking forward to welcoming you!
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