Noel Heraty from Limerick, Ireland is the percussionist with the Lee company of Riverdance and he stopped by the LP photo studio for a photo session and to share some of his views on percussion with this music/dance spectacular. As percussionist for the US tour of 'Riverdance", Noel performs with a stellar, multi-national orchestra (and some tirelessly energetic dancers!), intermingling updated traditional Irish music with the percussive rhythms of flamenco, tap and Russian folk tunes.

Noel played piano as a child, before starting on the drum kit at age 14. He studied classical percussion in Dublin and London, then Latin percussion in the US (he is an honors graduate of the Percussion Institute of Los Angeles). His influences include drummers Billy Cobham and Dave Weckl; his classical percussion teachers; Sheila E., Tito Puente, and Luis Conte; and his Latin teachers, Richie Gajate-Garcia and Efrain Toro.

Noel was a first-call player with the National Symphony Orchestra and the TRE Concert Orchestra in Ireland, and performed regularly with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. On stage and TV, he has accompanied opera greats Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, and Kiri Te Kanawa, as well as Sinead O'Connor, Midge Ure, Clannad and Michael O'Sulleabhain. He has performed in several productions on London's West End and recorded numerous movie soundtracks (including "The Remains of the Day", "The Mask", and "The Grifters").

Listen to Noel talk about performing in the US production of Riverdance.

To learn more about Noel Heraty, CLICK HERE.