Flashpoint, Mari Black

Flashpoint is a trio of young musicians performing traditional and contemporary Irish/folk music. With a modern sound that is both sophisticated and spontaneous, they put on a stirring live show that is
engaging to a variety of audiences. They have opened for some of the finest bands in the genre, including Solas and FullSet, and have performed with the likes of Oisín Mac Diarmada, Cormac de Barra, and John Doyle. All told, they are establishing themselves as one of the best up-and-coming performers in the Irish/Celtic music scene.

Flashpoint's music is rich with a variety of instruments, featuring David Mehalko on fiddle and piano, Daniel Mehalko on banjo, mandolin, and flute, and Joseph Carmichael on guitar and bouzouki, in addition to vocals by all three.

The group began in the summer of 2009 when the three musicians met at the O'Flaherty Irish Music Youth Camp and performed for the first time at the McKinney Farmers' Market shortly thereafter. During the following years they honed their skills through performances at the North Texas Irish Festival, the Austin Celtic Festival, CelticFest Mississippi, and countless other venues. In the winter of 2011-2012 they recorded their first album together, "Jammed," a collection of instrumental tunes that was well received by fans, critics, and fellow musicians alike. They also recorded two tracks in October 2012 for a compilation album entitled "Irish Music in Texas – Continuing the Tradition."

They are currently preparing to record an EP this summer, featuring vocals as well as instrumentals, with the intent to promote it on a national tour in the fall.

"Flashpoint has a ton of raw talent and keeps the audience engaged and looking for more, which is always a winning formula. I was thrilled to see them perform live again."

~ Danny Ahern, Iron Horse Pub


Multistyle violinist and champion fiddler MARI BLACK is rapidly building a
reputation as one of the most dynamic young artists of her generation. Her
energetic playing, engaging stage presence, and commitment to bringing people
together through music have made her a favorite with audiences across the country
and around the world. Equally at home in a wide variety of musical traditions, Mari
is the 2015 & 2013 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, the 2014 Glenfiddich
Scottish Fiddle Champion, the 2014 & 2012 Canadian Maritime Fiddle Champion,
the 2011 Canadian Novelty Fiddle Champion, a 1st Prize Winner at the 2010
American Protégé International String Competition, and a 2-time laureate at the
American String Teachers’ Association Alternative Styles Awards. On stage, she
creates shows that draw on elements from many different styles including jazz,
tango, folk, Western classical, as well as Celtic, American, and Canadian fiddling.
Her performances take listeners on a musical journey exploring the diversity and
celebrating commonalities in the dance-driven folk musics of the world.
An internationally-recognized performer, Mari can be seen playing in all sorts of
settings. She has been featured at Celtic Highland Games, Argentine tango
festivals, folk festivals, jazz concert series, and world-famous classical concert
venues including Carnegie Hall. Mari has appeared with such diverse artists as
Irish fiddle champion Liz Carroll, Americana master Mark O’Connor, and jazzman
Willie Ruff. Her music has been heard on the BBC Radio Scotland’s “Take the
Floor”, Fox and CBS morning news, NPR’s “Here and Now,” and WGBH Radio’s “A
Celtic Sojourn”. An enthusiastic collector of passport stamps, Mari has played
concerts in Brazil, Scotland, Canada, China, Korea, Zimbabwe, Hungary, Poland,
the Czech Republic, Italy, and France, and she can’t wait for the next stop!
Dedicated to education, both musical and academic, Mari presents frequent
outreach concerts and workshops at schools, conferences, festivals, and
universities. She has taught at the Mark O’Connor fiddle camp, the longestablished
Kinhaven Music Festival, and the Boston Youth Symphony’s Intensive
Community Program. Guest lectures and workshops include appearances at the
Yale School of Music, Boston University School of Fine Arts, New York City’s
School for Strings, the American String Teachers’ Association national conference,
and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development national
conference. Most recently, Mari served as the Professor of Music at Bunker Hill
Community College, where in just two years, she developed the framework for a
new multistyle music program that produced ground-breaking interdisciplinary
arts performances.
Mari holds a Masters’ Degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music,
and a doctorate from Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she was the
Geffen Fellow in Interdisciplinary Arts and Creativity. Her doctoral research
focused on higher education curriculum design and pedagogy, culminating in a
dissertation that explores the college-going experiences of professional multistyle
string players and includes strategies for improving undergraduate programs for
eclectic string players.
Mari is currently touring and teaching around the country. Her debut album,
“Flight”, was released in the spring of 2014, and features dance-driven music from
around the world.