Trillium

Who We Are

Trillium Irish Band burst upon the Irish music scene in 2023 and is quickly getting attention in Michigan and beyond. Foot stomping reels and jigs, dance inspiring waltzes, ethereal Celtic melodies, and lively singing songs are all part of a signature Trillium performance! Each of the musicians draws their inspiration from a different tradition--Sligo, Cork, Donegal, Clare, and classical/jazz fusion. The five-piece combination creates a distinctive synergy that has delighted West Michigan audiences. Our Irish music concerts are interactive events and you never know what will happen!

Trillium aims to preserve the beauty and spread of traditional Irish music while occasionally being a bit iconoclastic.

Featuring Anne Harrigan on fiddle, Cheryl Medvedenko on whistle, Dede Alder on bodhran and vocals, Lino Venema on flute, and Thom Jayne on guitar/didgeridoo, Trillium^tm will definitely warm your heart and put a smile on your face!

Anne Harrigan

Fiddle

With a name like Harrigan, it’s no surprise that Anne was drawn to Irish music at an early age. But her passion really sparked when she got involved in presenting Irish music with orchestras, including the US Premiere of the Brendan Voyage for Uilleann Pipes and orchestra. Anne has collaborated with artists such as Jeremy Kittel, Cillian Vallely, Sierra Noble, Moxie Strings and the Founding. Her inspiration comes from the Sligo fiddling style, including fiddlers like Michael Coleman, Oisin MacDiarmada, Dylan Foley, and Brian Conway. Harrigan is a winner of the Fleadh Cheoil Midwest competition and represented the US in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil competition in Mullingar. When not fiddling around Michigan, Anne can be seen on the podium directing the Battle Creek Symphony or the Billings Symphony in Montana, or hanging upside down on aerial silks.

Thom Jayne

Guitar, Didgeridoo

While appreciating the venerable traditions of Irish music, Thom also explores innovation at the crossroads between different genres. Thom has been part of Michigan’s music scene since the Lansing-based “Thom Jayne and the Nomads” emerged in the early 2000s with a hard-to-categorize blend of African, celtic, jazz, and Latin influences. His first two releases, The Forgotten Conquest and Road Trip, both won WYCE Jammie Awards for best local World Beat CD of the year. Thom is a member of the band “Whorled” and has performed in the last two Meijer Gardens summer series. In addition to playing and listening to music, Thom enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring, and petting dogs.

Dede Alder

Bodhran, Vocals

Dede Alder grew up in Traverse City, MI where the need to play music filled up the never-ending winter season. An Earthwork’s Artist, she is passionate about her connection with nature and all living things. Dede has been playing drums and percussion since 1998 when she started a drum circle facilitation business called Rhythmic Adventures. She went on to study with great masters especially focusing on various frame drums (Bodhran, Tar, Riq, and Tamburello) and tambourines. Dede is a professional singer, songwriter, and percussionist. Dede has traveled to Ireland, Italy, Istanbul, and Hawaii to study percussion. Dede teaches sacred drumming, Arabic percussion, and songwriting workshops internationally and locally. She is also an active online teacher with both American and Canadian students.

Cheryl Medvedenko

Whistle

Cheryl's many talents include whistle, Tai Chi, and in 2023, hiked the entire Appalachian Trail on her own. In addition to Trillium, she is a member of Ten Penny Bit and is actively involved in the Irish session scene in GR.

Lino Venema

Flute

Our newest member comes from a talented family of folk musicians and calls herself "your friendly neighborhood flute player in Michigan." we think you'll love the vibe she brings to the band!

Where to Hear us

No Events

Latest Trillium Videos

Trillium Sizzle Reel 2025

Trillium plays Cooleys set live at Horrocks

Trillium performs Irish Eyes live at Horrocks

Trillium plays Tom Busby's Set Live at Horrock's

Trillium plays Julia Delaney live at Horrocks

Trillium performs Hanover Set Live at Horrocks

Trillium plays Colin Farrell's Sign of the Times live at Horrocks

Dede Alders sings Wild Rover with Trillium live at Horrocks

Trillium plays The Peacock's Feathers 1 and 2 and Bucks of Oranmore live at Horrocks

Trillium performs Jenny Picking Cockles set live at Horrocks

Trillium plays the Kerfunken set Live at Horrocks

Miss Thornton's

Lino Venema and Trillium play Mouse in the Kitchen live at Horrocks

Absolutely stunning...

Trillium brings the feel of an Irish pub to our humble Michigan brewery. Couldn't be happier with their performances.

- Troy Z. Third Nature Brewing

We've really enjoyed hosting Trillium...

. . . as part of our celebration of music and world talent. They create an atmosphere that warms the spirit.

- Dave, Director of Happiness, Küsterer Brauhaus

I felt like I was in Ireland...

Recently I spent two weeks in Ireland enjoying the music in the pubs. I came across Trillium right here in Michigan and their music took me right back to that feeling!

- Jack H.

Traditional Irish Music right here in Michigan...

...brought to you by four amazing talents. We encountered this wonderful quartet at our wedding reception and have been following them since. We look forward to hearing a lot from them.

- Xi Chen