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Congratulations 2025 Fitz Scholarship Winners

June 19, 2025

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From Left: Mary Vanorny, Mattie Ernst, Henry Sween (Adult Recipient), Rich Fitzgerald (Fitz' brother), Beth Bryson (U18 Recipient), Norah Rendell, Brian Miller. Not pictured: Clark Matthews (U12 Recipient). 

Tim 'Fitz' Fitzgerald was an integral part of the Twin Cities Irish community who left this world on March 3, 2010. Fitz was a musician, artist, craftsman, singer, photographer, and promoter - a modern day Renaissance man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Fitz was involved with the Irish Fair Minnesota, the Emerald Society, and the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. Fitz also brought some great music and theater to Kieran’s Irish Pub, and other Irish pubs across the Twin Cities metro area.

For more than 15 years, Fitz created opportunities for performing musicians in the Irish community through advocacy, organization, and encouragement. We are very proud to carry on this tradition with a scholarship in Fitz' honor that supports and recognize outstanding musicians at the Center for Irish Music in three age categories.

Funds for this scholarship are provided by the Emerald Society of Minnesota.

A student who receives the Fitz Memorial Scholarship:

  • Has demonstrated to their private teacher that they are dedicated to learning their chosen instrument.
  • Has shown an interest in expanding their musical education and experience.
  • Has shown interest in the larger Irish community by attending sessions or attending concerts and workshops.

12 and Under - Clark Matthews, Concertina

Clark has been studying concertina with Mattie Ernst for about 1.5 years.  His skills and musicality have skyrocketed since fall, and his teacher, Mattie Ernst, is impressed with his ear for nuance. His handle of variations is highly impressive for such a young player - swapping them in with apparent ease.  He has started to add chords and base notes on his own with great effect. Clark has also joined the ensemble program and played in the u12 grúpa ceoil at the Midwest Fleadh.

Clark can be seen with his family at community music events like the Irish Fair and IAM St. Patrick’s Day events. Clark's mom Erica says that he listens to a lot of Irish music at home, and that he simply LOVES concertina. Congratulations, Clark!

Clark Matthews Spring Recital 2025

18 and Under - Beth Bryson, Fiddle

Beth has been a leader in the Advance Ensemble, u18 Ceili Band and u18 Grupai Cheoil this year. She always knows her stuff and goes the extra mile to put personality and precision into her playing. She helps drive her trio "Pick Buttons and Bow" (on both fiddle and tenor banjo) with Teddy and Collin, who perform increasingly on their own around the Twin Cities.

As a soloist, Beth continues to grow as a fiddle player. At this year's Midwest Fleadh, she won the extremely competitive u18 fiddle competition and played beautifully in five other competitions. 

Adult - Henry Sween, Tenor Banjo

Henry Sween is a great student, a pleasure to teach and is truly an all-round amazing member of the CIM community. A longtime student at O’Shea Irish Dance and Center for Irish Music, his positive attitude is naturally supportive of others. Henry is always up for volunteering and doing what he can to be involved - One example: he’s on the Celtic Junction Youth Advisory Council and has stayed involved in his first year of college.

Henry's instructor Gavin is always impressed by how busy his schedule is, and yet he always makes time for his lesson and has his tune learned!