Marita May O’Connell

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Irish/Celtic, Folk

Marita May is a classically trained violinist and vocalist with professional experience in multiple genres of music and performance including Irish/Celtic, Folk, Country, Christian Worship Music and Musical Theatre.

Marita studied Violin Performance at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, later transferring to Luther College in Decorah, IA to pursue a degree in Music Management in addition to Violin Performance. While at Luther, Marita earned the role of Concertmaster in the Luther College Symphony Orchestra and was also a member of Nordic Choir.

After graduating, Marita performed and toured with multiple Country and Christian worship bands in Nashville, TN which led her to being cast as the lead fiddler in Busch Garden Williamsburg’s show Celtic Fyre in Virginia, an Irish dance show and musical which featured professional Irish dancers, musical theatre performers and live Irish musicians.

Marita was also cast as the lead fiddler in the first US national tour of Rockin’ Road to Dublin, which gave her the opportunity to travel all over the West Coast and Midwest in 2016. After moving back to Iowa in 2017, Marita has played violin alongside 2 Cellos, Foreigner and the band Disturbed on their tours through the Cedar Rapids area.

Currently, Marita enjoys performing at several weddings a year and stays active with church services, pit orchestras and other live performances. Because of her passion for Irish music, Marita is now the lead fiddler of her own Irish band and has exciting plans for her music in 2025. When she is not performing, Marita works in the world of Music/Arts Administration and enjoys songwriting + making content for her social media channels

Marita May O’Connell – Website

Marita May O’Connell – YouTube