Ex-Celtic Woman star proud of new show

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

While Chloe Agnew is known for her interpretations of Irish music, whether as a member of famed Irish group Celtic Woman for a decade or through her many solo performances, it’s far from everything that defines her as a musician.

Agnew, who will perform her show, “Chloe Agnew: An Irish Heart”, with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio on St. Patrick’s Day — Saturday, March 17 — said she was a bit lost after she left Celtic Woman a few years ago to pursue a solo career, but also relished the challenge of creating something entirely her own.

“When I left Celtic Woman I didn’t know who I was, so I took time to do some soul-searching, to find out who I am,” Agnew said, noting that her new show with the Atlanta Pops is a byproduct of that process to discover what she most enjoyed doing — and to learn how to spread her wings through her creativity.

The 28-year-old Dublin, Ireland-born soprano, the daughter of Irish musicians, has been around music all her life.

“I was born into an entertainment family, where music was a way of breathing, a part of our life,” Agnew said. She had to grow up quickly, though, becoming the youngest member of Celtic Woman when she was just 14 years old.

Agnew said the last few years have been some of the most rewarding of her life, even though they have also been the most challenging.

“I feel more confident, more connected to the music, to who I am,” she explained. “I feel more real than ever, more the person I was meant to be.”

That confidence and her unique voice are reflected in the show she will be performing with the Atlanta Pops next Saturday.

Agnew said she first came into contact with the Atlanta Pops while performing with Celtic Woman.

“We did our first PBS special at the famous Fox Theatre in Atlanta and used a couple of musicians from the orchestra under contract,” she noted, adding that she renewed that connection a few years ago when Conductor/Music Director Jason Altieri approached her to come up with a show.

“It’s a little bit me, a little bit them,” Agnew said of the show.

Although there’s some great Irish music in the show, she added that the show is much more than just a performance of Celtic music.

“Celtic music is certainly a thread running through the show, but we’re not defined by that,” Agnew said. I think what we do is pretty unique; it’s an Irish show, but it is done within a classical, contemporary setting.”

Also joining Agnew and the orchestra will be famed Irish tenor Dermot Kiernan and former Riverdancer Scott Porter, who also was CEO of Celtic Woman, who will add their unique talents to the show.

“I’m very proud of it, I really am, the show is very close to my heart,” the Irish soprano said, noting that she chose songs that resonated with her personally. “I think music is most real, it’s most important, it’s most heard, when it comes from the heart.”

Agnew also noted that creating something unique has been very rewarding, but also a big responsibility.

“There’s a sense of reward, of an achievement, because it’s a lot more work,” she explained. “It’s all on you and an expression of your creative freedom.”

The former Celtic Woman star said she is also looking forward to returning to Ohio.

“Ohio was somewhere where we always got such a great welcome in Celtic Woman and I’m loving being there on my own,” she said. In addition to the NPAC show with the Atlanta Pops, Agnew will also be performing a smaller, more intimate solo acoustic show on March 25 at the Shamrock Club in Columbus.

She also said she was impressed by Scott and Nikki Niswonger when she met them last year when the show came to the other Niswonger PAC in Greeneville, Tennessee, calling the couple a “champion” for the arts and music.

Agnew said there’s something about Irish music that makes people want to be Irish.

“I must say it always blows my mind the response to Irish music,” she said, noting that people always come up to her after the show to tell her a relative is Irish or they’re part Irish — or they don’t have any Irish blood, but want to be Irish.

“I think the reason is that Irish music is very connected to love, land, loss, hope, and family,” Agnew said, noting those are core values of most people.

Just don’t expect a show with all Irish music, she warned, noting there are plenty of surprises in store for the audience on March 17.

“People come up after and say ‘that wasn’t at all what I was expecting,’ and they loved it,” she said with pride.

For those wanting to know more, Agnew said she has accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, while more information is available on her official website: www.chloeagnewofficial.com.

Tickets are still available for the show, and can be purchased by calling 419.238.NPAC (7622) from noon-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and online at www.npacvw.org.