THE IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES FIRST RECIPIENT OF REGIONAL IRISH CULTURA AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP
Katherine Kalinowski Will Attend Catskills Irish Arts Week In Upstate New York
ALBANY, N.Y. - The Irish American Heritage Museum (IAHM) announced today that Katherine Kalinowski has been selected as the first “IAHM Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador.” Katherine, from Arlington TX, will participate in classes and other activities celebrating Irish heritage and culture in New York State from July 13-19, 2025. With full tuition reimbursement and a stipend for travel and lodging, Katherine will participate at the pre-eminent Catskills Irish Arts Week (CIAW).
The IAHM Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador Scholarship program is funded by an anonymous benefactor of the Irish American Heritage Museum.
Katherine teaches middle and high school music and art. Prior to becoming a teacher, Katherine served on active duty in the U.S. Navy, performing on clarinet in U.S Navy fleet bands. Katherine discovered her passion for Irish music while she was stationed in Virginia, when she began learning the tin whistle and playing at traditional Irish music sessions. Since then, Katherine has immersed herself in Irish music communities in Honolulu, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Dallas-Fort Worth. An alumna of O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat in Midlothian TX, Katherine has been playing Uilleann pipes for two years, studying with Janis Deane. Katherine is grateful for the opportunity to immerse herself in the northeast vibrant “trad” culture at Catskills Irish Arts Week.
IAHM’s Executive Director Michael C. Clarke stated: “The Irish American Heritage Museum is delighted that Katherine will be our first Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador. Katherine’s passion for the Texas Irish arts community is evident. Katherine’s enthusiasm and participation in New York’s Catskills Irish Arts Week will benefit both CIAW and Katherine’s Texas “trad” community when she returns. The exchange of Irish heritage and culture between these two important regions enriches everyone involved.”
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ABOUT IAHM’s REGIONAL IRISH CULTURAL AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The 2025 IAHM Regional Irish Cultural Ambassador Scholarship Program is designed to expose recipients (“Ambassadors”) to Irish arts, heritage, culture and communities in different regions of the United States. The program aims for Ambassadors - through the learning, collaboration, and the exchange of Irish heritage-based educational programs - to return home and share their experiences with their own regional Irish cultural communities.
Ambassadors will be given an opportunity to:
- Share their own Irish cultural talents
- Exchange styles, art, and tunes with other Irish artists
- Immerse themselves in the “trad” culture and life of another region
- Return home to share those experiences with their own communities