Tara Novak is a violinist, violist, Irish traditional musician, educator, arranger, and recording artist whose work bridges performance, tradition, collaboration, and community.

Over the past two decades, she has built a multifaceted career that spans musical theatre, orchestral performance, Irish traditional music, recording projects, education, and arts leadership. Equally at home on concert stages, in theatre productions, at traditional music sessions, and in collaborative creative projects, Tara's work is united by a commitment to meaningful musical connection and a lifelong curiosity about how people find belonging through music.

As a performer, Tara has appeared internationally as a violinist, violist, and Irish fiddler with productions including Riverdance, Heartbeat of Home, and The Three Irish Tenors. Her theatre credits include Disney's Aladdin First National Tour (Concertmaster), The Lion King, Queen of Versailles, Moulin Rouge, Finding Neverland, Come From Away, and numerous productions throughout New England and Ireland.

Tara is the co-founder of the contemporary Irish folk ensemble Ishna, alongside her husband, Irish tenor Ciaran Nagle. Rooted in Irish traditional music while embracing the diverse musical backgrounds of its members, Ishna has become known for its distinctive contemporary sound, strong sense of community, and collaborative spirit. The band's debut album, "Slí Amach: Way Out", received international press and radio attention and was included on the GRAMMY® ballot for Best Global Music Album.

An accomplished arranger and orchestrator, Tara has created original orchestral works and custom arrangements recorded and performed by a wide range of ensembles. Her work frequently explores the meeting point between tradition and innovation, combining deep respect for musical heritage with an openness to creative reinterpretation.

Tara holds a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music and a First Class Honours Master of Arts in Irish Music Studies from the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick. Her graduate research, Finding Belonging, explored how female fiddlers navigate identity, creativity, community, and musical meaning within Irish traditional music.

Whether performing, teaching, arranging, researching, or leading collaborative projects, Tara is guided by a simple belief: music creates spaces where people can bring their whole selves, connect with one another, and find a sense of belonging.