Rare Combination is an Irish folk group formed in the spring of 2004. The groups' repertoire includes; traditional Irish dance music (jigs,reels, polkas, hornpipes), pub songs, rebel songs, ballads, love songs, slow aires, Irish-American tunes, and early American and contemporary folk music. The band has performed pro bono at a variety of elder care centers, service organization events, non-profit fund raisers, and other public service events. The band also has performed at pubs-restaurants, folk festivals, and is available for private performance events. Rare Combination released their first CD entitled "Unlocked" in September 2005.  See the Merchandise Page for ordering instructions.

 

 

Rare Combination LLC is a Limited Liability Company registered in the State of Michigan.

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Margery Dusek graduated from Western Michigan University after completing degree work in music therapy. While at WMU, she studied applied flute and performed in a variety of ensemble groups. Margery has several years of experience working with psychiatric patients as a music therapist. She has assisted in church music ministries, performed with the "Abriel Jazz Trio" and has composed and recorded as a studio musician. She plays concert flute, Irish flute, Irish whistles, recorders, keyboard, guitar and vocals with "Rare Combination".

Sofia Peters, began playing violin at the age of three and piano at the age of four.  She is a self-taught bass guitar, drum kit, mandola, and mandolin player. She was a member of the Harper Creek Honors Choir directed by Eric Hansen and has studied violin with Renata Knific at Western Michigan University and piano with Helga Carpenter. She has won a number of competitions and training scholarships. The music camps she has attended include: Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp, Interlochen Arts Camp, WMU Seminar, Steve Zegree Jazz Vocal Camp, and Berkley College of Music String Fling. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Western Michigan University.  She performs on fiddle-violin, mandolin, keyboard, and voice with Rare Combination.

Tiffany Joseph "T. J." Hardy is an ordained minister and hospital chaplain. He has played various instruments including the piano, guitar, coronet, and tuba. While in college, he performed with the Oakwood University Orchestra in Huntsville AL. He and his wife have performed as a Gospel music duo called “Chaplain & Gwen” throughout the U.S. and Germany. They have won first place in Gospel music competition at the Family Life Center in Adrian MI. They have shared the stage with Gospel artists including; Wesley Snipes, Rev. Rance Allen of Toledo, and Little Richard of California. T.J. has composed lyrics and music arrangements for “Chaplain & Gwen”. He was the recording engineer for Rare Combination’s CD released in 2005. T.J. performs on acoustic bass, keyboard, and adds vocals with Rare Combination.

ommie Williams is a recreation therapy assistant with a history as a professional musician. He began performing at an early age on stage with artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and various R&B and jazz groups in the Midwest. More recently he performed with the Abriel Jazz Trio. Tommie was Minister of Music at New Deliverance MBC in Battle Creek, Michigan for three years. He is an accomplished bassist and drummer. He also has performed on keyboard and with vocals. He performs as a percussionist, bass player, keyboard player, and adds vocals with Rare Combination.

Father Patrick Murphy is a Catholic priest. He studied classical guitar for six summers with Larry Field. He was formerly a member of the Irish folk group "Border Band" and a classical quartet, "Instruments of Peace" in Michigan's upper peninsula and northern Wisconsin. He has performed at the Chocolay Riverfest, Boniface Center for the Arts, Fortune Lake Second Sunday Folk Dances, and the Iron Mountain Community Arts Theatre. He performs on classical guitar, rhythm guitar, bodhran, Irish bouzouki, and voice with "Rare Combination".