D'n'A play traditional music from the Celtic lands and beyond. They are based in the vibrant musical community of Eugene/Springfield in the beautiful southern Willamette valley of Oregon. Their music provides an elegant ambiance reminiscent of an earlier era, perfect for a party, wedding, dance or concert. Their wide variety of music spans four centuries, from lively Scottish and Irish jigs and reels to haunting Scandinavian melodies, with happily crooked French-Canadian tunes, dainty English dances, foot-stomping Appalachian hoedowns, Cajun two-steps and waltzes, French country dances, Italian tarantellas to Parisian musette waltzes. As amateur musicologists, they enjoy sharing the origins of various musical genres and the connections between regions during their concerts. Their first cd, Genetic Threads, traces celtic music from Europe to North America, following the musical journey of immigrants.
"The best group we've ever had." --a participant at a ball
Other Musical Projects
Classical Doug and Amey have both played classical music for many years. Doug plays bass and Amey plays first violin with the Eugene Community Orchestra, and organize the Nutcracker Dance-Along, an annual fundraiser for the group. They also occasionally play with the Emerald Chamber Players, an ensemble of rotating members focusing on music from the baroque and classical periods.
Cabaret Music Doug and Amey collaborate with soprano Siri Vik and other musicians to perform music from France and Germany. La Vie en Rose highlights the music of the chansonniers, French singer-songwriters; some famous (Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel), others relatively unknown. Amey on violin and Doug on bass join a pianist, an accordionist and a percussionist. Moon Shines Red features the music of Kurt Weill, and focuses on German Expressionism. Doug plays bass, guitar, banjo, banjo-uke and harmonica on the German program. A recording is scheduled for summer 2011.
Musicals Doug and Amey enjoy playing in pit orchestras for musical theatre. Amey has previously performed in productions of Damn Yankees, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Carousel, The Sound of Music, Cinderella, and TheKing & I. Doug was part of the cabaret band in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at the Very Little Theatre. Both Doug and Amey were on-stage musicians in University Theatre's production of Big River. They are currently working on a musical concept project about Lewis and Clark.
Doug Heydon Doug is a multi-instrumentalist with many years in the recording industry. He is a luthier, which means he builds and repairs stringed instruments. He has restored most of the instruments they play. Recently he restored an 18th-century hardanger fiddle Amey now plays. He is the primary bass luthier for the southern Willamette valley and draws customers from Washington, Oregon and California. Customers value his services and craftsmanship so much they remain loyal even when they move across the country. His artistic background and creative skills aide him to continually design new instruments, and find innovative ways to incorporate new technology with traditional repair methods.
Doug's other great passion is bicycles, and after racing for many years he has acquired an appreciation for old-school French long-distance randonnée touring, and hopes to one day complete a brevet (they range from 200km to 1400km).
Doug's website has more information on instruments for sale and restorations he has done. www.dougheydonluthier.com
Amey Herman Amey has played violin for over twenty years in orchestras and chamber ensembles. She enjoys sharing that joy with others, through performing and teaching. Her other great passion is foreign languages, and she teaches French to all levels from children to adults. With her own language teaching business, she has designed her own textbook and curriculum design for a variety of courses in French language, conversation, culture and composition. Extensive European travel experience and two years' immersion in French culture have developed her competence and fluency both written and spoken. She organizes and guides tours to France. Amey's website has more information on classes, and upcoming trips to France. www.frenchwithamey.com
Her blog has articles in French about France and other French-speaking countries around the world. www.frenchwithamey.blogspot.com
When not playing music, building instruments or teaching, D'n'A ride bicycles as often as possible, for as many errands and miles as they can get in. Their love for independent, foreign and relatively obscure films has led Amey to begin a blog to share interesting films they have discovered. www.filmwithamey.blogspot.com
