PORTLAND — Groundbreaking Irish-American fiddler Eileen Ivers can keep up with classical virtuosi while keeping up the warmth of a kitchen party with her group, Immigrant Soul. She can shred, play reels through a cry-baby pedal and inspire.

Ivers and Immigrant Soul are bringing their unflagging energy to stages across the United States this autumn, from LA’s Walt Disney Hall to Maine’s Merrill Auditorium.

The musician, who has numerous All-Ireland Fiddle Championships and Grammy-Awarded projects under her belt, will perform with the Portland Symphony Orchestra on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9-10.

Ivers never expected to become a professional musician; she’s a mathematician by education. Yet her unintentional career has taken her from co-founding Cherish the Ladies and touring with The Chieftains to guest starring with acclaimed symphonies, collaborating with celebrated jazz and pop artists and her most recent televised performances with Sting.

Ivers’ expertise and artistic diversity led her to forge a new, front-and-center role for the fiddle in Celtic performance, in particular, in creating the musical star role of Riverdance.

Her own work has led her to dig deep into Irish and Celtic sounds and to delve into jazz sensibilities and Grappelli-esque improvisations.

Fellow Immigrant Soul members are lead singer, percussionist and former Blues Brother Tommy McDonnell, who is equally at home with the congas and the bodhran; bassist Leo Traversa, who when not teaching at New York’s Columbia University, can be found backing Afro-Cuban and Brazilian masters.

Also, acoustic guitarist Greg Anderson, who has worked with folk legend Pete Seeger as well as classical icon Itzhak Perlman; and all-Ireland accordion champ Buddy Connolly, who has worked with American roots music greats Tim O’Brien and Kathy Mattea.

Ivers frequently gets listeners dancing in the aisles and often leaps into the audience to join them. She gets hugs from fans of all ages as she and the band chat in the lobby after shows.

“The music is always the star, but we’re performing artists. It’s a balance we’ve learned to strike. It’s a privilege to be up there on stage, and we love it,” Ivers said.

Go and do

WHO: Eileen Ivers/Immigrant Soul

with Portland Symphony Orchestra

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9

WHO: Eileen Ivers/Immigrant Soul

with Portland Symphony Orchestra

WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10

WHERE: Merrill Auditorium, Portland

TICKETS: $71, $57, $47, $39, $26; call 842-0800