Blazin’ Fiddles launch Blazin’ in Biggar, 6th & 7th of June. A sister fiddle school to the well established Blazin’ in Beauly.
The Scottish fiddle super group are at the forefront of Scottish fiddle tuition as they continue to deliver sell-out workshops, masterclasses and concerts in the heart of the Highlands every winter during their annual music school. This summer the band will launch 'Blazin' in Biggar' - bringing together fiddlers, guitarists and piano players for a weekend of great workshops and music making. On the 6th and 7th of June the band will welcome students to join them in the Gillespie Centre in town of Biggar in the heart of Lanarkshire.
Join Bruce MacGregor, Anna Massie, Angus Lyon, Jenna Reid, Kristan Harvey and Rua Macmillan as Blazin’ Fiddles hosts the very first Blazin’ in Biggar. Classes will be taught by ear, with digital sheet music available at the end of the course.
Tutors
Anna Massie – groupwork
Anna plays the guitar in Blazin’ Fiddles but is also excels in fiddle, tenor-banjo and mandolin playing! She also plays with a whole host of other folk including Bella Hardy & The Midnight Watch and her duo Mairearad & Anna. Winner – Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2003
Kristan Harvey – fiddle
Orcadian fiddler Kristan Harvey has been a regular on the Scottish folk scene since being crowned BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2011. Having left Orkney in 2007 to study music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she remains in Glasgow, performing and teaching around Scotland and further afield.
Kristan is currently a member of several lineups including Blazin’ Fiddles, Fara, Robyn Stapleton and Orkney’s The Gathering. Over the years, she has also enjoyed touring with bands such as The Rua Macmillan Big Band, The Paul McKenna Band and her own band The Sanna, as well as joining string sections for Admiral Fallow, Belle and Sebastian, Rod Stewart and duetting with Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti.
Rua Macmillan – fiddle
Hailing from Nairn, Rua Macmillan is one of Scotland’s top fiddlers. Having graduated with a B.A.(Hons) in Scottish Music from the R.S.A.M.D. (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), and being awarded the prestigious title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2009, Rua has toured extensively throughout Europe and North America, inlcuding performances at some of the world’s most prominent Folk Festivals, including Celtic Connections (Sco), Cambridge (Eng), Ortigeuira (Spn), and Winnipeg (Can). His debut album, ‘Tyro’ (CDTRAX346) was voted instrumental album of the year in the Fatea Awards, and was picked by Songlines Magazine as a ‘Top of the World’ album. Rua joined the multi-award winning ‘Blazin’ Fiddles’ in 2014.
In addition to touring, Rua is in great demand as a tutor, and teaches regularly with Fèis Rois, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow Fiddle Workshop, as well as internationally.
Jenna Reid – fiddle
Jenna has been a Blazin’ Fiddler since 2010. Originally from Shetland, Jenna was taught by the late, great Willie Hunter. Having started her musical career with Dochas & Deaf Shepherd, Jenna has since appeared on Transatlantic Sessions and released her own albums to critical acclaim. She can also be found performing with RANT.
Bruce MacGregor – fiddle
Founder of Blazin’ Fiddles & Blazin’ in Beauly. Bruce also presents Travelling Folk on BBC Radio Scotland.
Angus Lyon – groupwork
Through his duo with fiddler Ruaridh Campbell, his work with the marvelously pigeonhole-resistant Halton Quartet and his achievements as producer on myriad recordings, accordionist and pianist Angus Lyon is one of the traditional music scene’s most creative talents. As well as his own projects Angus is also a member of Blazin’ Fiddles and has also performed with some of the biggest names in the music world including Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Paul McCartney, Bobby McFerrin, Craig Armstrong, Scott Mathews & many more.
Photo Credits:
(1) Blazin’ in Biggar,
(2) Blazin' Fiddles,
(3) Bruce MacGregor,
(4) Jenna Reid
(unknown/website).