Ayreheart was founded by Grammy-nominated lutenist/composer Ronn McFarlane. Performing with lute, vocals, colascione (a type of bass lute), violin, guitar, and percussion, Ayreheart offers a program of Renaissance music and traditional folk music from the British Isles. Music of John Dowland and William Byrd are featured alongside anonymous ballad tunes and folk songs from Renaissance England, Scotland, and Wales. This program explores the parallels between high art music and traditional folk music of the time, and includes original music steeped in traditions of the past.