About

Eileen Estes is a highly accomplished Irish-American musician, singer, composer, and educator specializing in traditional Irish and Scottish music, as well as contemporary and folk genres. With a lifetime immersed in the music of her heritage, Eileen’s expertise is further enriched by her vocal training and extensive experience as both a performer and teacher. She is a member of two Baltimore-based bands: Celtic Corridor (with Billy McComiskey, Donna Long, Laura Byrne, and Joanna Clare) and The Good Folk (with Agi Kovacs, Brendan Hearn, Meghan Mette, and Patrick Winch).

Eileen serves as a vocal instructor at the Washington Conservatory of Music and is the founder and director of Lark Song Studios, where she provides voice instruction to singers worldwide. She is also the voice instructor for the Irish Music School of Chicago and has been on the faculty of numerous prestigious music programs, including the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, Blue Ridge Irish Music Camp, Baltimore Trad Fest, Blue Ridge Irish Music School, the Baltimore-Washington Academy of Irish Culture, and the Irish Music Arts and Dance Weekend.

Eileen is the daughter of Nita Conley (Korn), a founding member of Baltimore/DC’s Celtic Thunder—an influential force in the East Coast Folk Revival movement in the 1970s. This foundation shaped Eileen’s career as both a tradition bearer and an innovator within the genre. She later pursued vocal training while on a vocal scholarship in college. There, she refined her own abilities while discovering tools to help others understand their voice and achieve sounds and stylistic elements unique to singing Celtic, folk, and other genres.

Eileen emphasizes the importance of understanding the voice as a whole-body instrument, helping singers develop coordination, muscle memory, and confidence. Her teaching philosophy focuses on topics such as resonance, ornamentation, phrasing, vocal health, and repertoire selection. She also fosters a supportive and collaborative environment in her group classes, encouraging students to engage in the oral tradition, explore blending and harmonization, and reimagine both ancient and contemporary folk songs together.

Eileen’s passion for preserving and passing on traditional music, coupled with her experience and training, has earned her a reputation as a master musician and inspiring educator. She is dedicated to nurturing singers by helping them connect with traditional music and develop their unique voices.