Bio
The Rogue Diplomats are an Irish-American Pub Band based in both New York City and Bethlehem, PA. They perform the spirited melodies and lyrical story-telling of traditional Irish jigs, shanties, drinking songs and ballads, with a dash of contemporary American folk songs and original compositions, all delivered in close harmony and with charmingly irreverent humor.
The Rogue Diplomats got their start in Astoria, Queens, playing annual St. Patrick’s Day shows at Blackbird’s Bar. They’ve since gone on to play Bloomsday on Broadway, the annual celebration of the works of James Joyce at Symphony Space in NYC, and a multitude of pubs in New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The Diplomats have also headlined at Musikfest, Failte Festival, and the Annual Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Celtic Fling & Highland Games at Mount Hope, Mayfair, Shawnee Mountain Celtic Festival, and the Quays in Galway, Ireland.
The Rogue Diplomats
BRIAN DONNELLY
(Guitar / Vocals)
holds a BA in Theater from DeSales University. The “Best Legs in Kilt” runner-up is the former guitarist of alt-rock band Laura and the Riot and has appeared at a myriad of bars throughout NYC, occasionally playing music in them. He got his start in Irish music when he was four, standing on his parents’ dining room table and singing for company. He hasn’t stopped since.
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PATRICK MARRAN
(Bouzouki / Guitar / Vocals)
is a New York-based Actor/Director and Song Writer. A graduate of Hofstra, Patrick is a founding producer of Dreamcatcher Entertainment’s “Talent on Tap” workshop program and has collaborated as both an actor and director on various projects with Classics on the Rocks Theater Company, Turn to Flesh Productions, and Dreamcatcher Entertainment. A life long lover of Irish music and whiskey, his original songs, “Galway Hooker” and “Old Brown Ale” can be heard on the Rogue Diplomats full-length studio album, Whiskey Picnic.
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CHRISTINE SCHARF BREINER
(Vocals)
is an equity actress with an extensive musical theater background. A graduate of the Hartt School, she originated the role of Corey/Caller #1 in the Off-Broadway musical Wanda’s World, headlined shows for Carnival Cruise Lines, and has performed with indie rock band Stella Never Sleeps and music collective PostModern Jukebox. She is of Irish and Swedish descent and can drink the boys under the table. Christine co-produced their full-length studio album, Whiskey Picnic.
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Photo Credit: Red Hen Studios & Alison Conklin Photography
MATTHEW CULLEN BREINER
(Bodhrán / Tin Whistle / Vocals)
is a SAG/Equity actor who has appeared on The Sopranos, the motion picture Voiceless, and in the first National tour of “Big, The Musical.” He has a BA in Theater from DeSales University and attended the conservatory program at the Atlantic Acting School. A stand-up comedian who has performed at Comix, Eastville, and Gotham Comedy Clubs, Matthew revels in the history and storytelling surrounding Irish music and culture.
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NATHAN DIEHL
(Accordion / Vocals)
is an accomplished musical director, conductor, pianist, and music teacher. He has worked with the PA Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University, Muhlenberg College, and Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Arts. Nathan holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Moravian College and a Master of Music degree from West Chester University. He currently teaches at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, PA where he is the Middle School Choral Director.