The Parson Sisters is a duo based in Albuquerque, NM, specializing in global folk dance music, including Balkan, Irish, contra, and English Country. Comprised of Mirinisa Stewart-Tengco (strings, vocals, percussion) and Clara Byom (keys, clarinets, vocals, electronics), The Parson Sisters have quickly become sought-after dance musicians throughout the Southwest. In a few busy years, they have performed at hundreds of events, including FolkMADness, Southwest Pickers Bluegrass and Traditional Music Festival, Albuquerque Folk Festival, Phoenix English Country Tea Dance, Tarab Retreat, dance parties, private events, and out-of-state tours. From tight vocal harmonies in traditional Macedonian lesnotos to Clara’s charming original tunes to Mirinisa’s exquisite Scandinavian fiddling to psychedelic techno contra, The Parson Sisters provide the most eclectic collection of dance music in the Southwest.
Selected The Parson Sisters Events 2026 Arizona Run-out 2023-2024 Self-Produced Local Evenets 2023 Oklahoma Run-out 2023 Arizona Run-out 2023 Staff at FolkMADness, NM Folk Music and Dance Society 2022 Staff at Boo Camp, NM Folk Music and Dance Society 2021 Staff at Southwest International Folk Dance Institute’s August Camp 2019 Staff at Tarab Retreat, Meg York Music 2019 Colorado Tour 2019 Arizona Run-out 2019 Staff at FolkMADness, NM Folk Music and Dance Society 2018 Headed West Tour (CO, NV, CA) 2018 Midwest Tour (WI, IA, OK)08/2018- 09/2018
Idlewild is the Southwest’s newest English country and contra dance band featuring Clara Byom (clarinet, accordion, bass clarinet, piano), Jacob Chen (piano, guitar, accordion, fiddle), and Mirinisa Stewart-Tengco (fiddle). Originally united in March of 2024 for “one night only,” this playful trio brings together The Parson Sisters from New Mexico and Jacob Chen from Oklahoma.
Whether playing for an elegant English country dance or a rowdy contra, Idlewild’s recipe is: - 2 parts groove from Jacob and Clara’s ever-changing instrumentation - 3 parts shared love for kalamata and castelvetrano olives - 1 part joyous melodic fancies from Mirinisa’s fiddle - 3 parts local artisan cheese
Selected Idlewild Events 2026 Staff at FolkMADness, NM Folk Music and Dance 2026 Staff at Sage Assembly English Country Ball 2026 Staff at Stellar Days and Nights Dance Camp 2025 Staff at Northwest Passage English Country Dance Camp 2025 Staff at Cumberland Dance Week 2025 Staff at Sage Assembly English Country Ball 2025Staff at Sage Assembly English Country Ball
