Fiddle Extravaganza and Barn Dance

Mark Sullivan

“A force in the world!” says Grammy nominated fiddler, Liz Carroll.  Among his many awards, Mark Sullivan is a 3-time Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion and is widely regarded as one of the finest fiddlers in North America today.  He is in demand as a spirited performer and continues to collaborate with many of the finest names in traditional music today.  Mark holds his Masters in the Science of Education and is a regular instructor at Music Camps throughout the country.  His recent recording, The Gathering Room, is a compilation of original music which showcases his unique Canadian Fiddle style.  Canadian fiddle icon Calvin Vollrath says “He is a true master at his craft.”   Mark grew up playing for square dances and learning his craft from dance fiddlers.  His appreciation for the old time style is evident on his recording, Wednesday Night Clubs, which pays tribute to the local fiddle clubs that continue to play such an important role in sustaining the Canadian Fiddle Tradition.  Originally from Bowmanville Ontario, Mark now calls Vancouver BC his home.

Pierre Schryer

Pierre Schryer is one of Canada’s leading traditional fiddlers. A recipient of numerous titles and awards including Canadian Open Fiddle Champion, Grand Masters Champion, Violoneux Championnat, and North American Irish Fiddle Champion, Pierre truly captivates an audience with his energy and genuine warmth. His ability knows no bounds, covering styles from Irish, Scottish, Québecois, and Cape Breton to Canadian Old Time, American Swing and more. As leader of his self-titled group, Pierre Schryer Band built an international reputation as one of Canada’s most well respected traditional music ensembles by touring throughout Canada, the USA, Ireland, Europe and the UK since the mid-90’s. Pierre has shared the stage with dozens of internationally renowned colleagues in the traditional music scene and has performed with numerous orchestras across Canada with his acclaimed Symphony Pops show. Of his six recordings released on his own label New Canadian Records,“Blue Drag” was nominated at the 2004 JUNO Awards for best Roots and Traditional (Group) Album of the Year, “Mélange” at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Instrumental Solo Album of the Year, and “2 Worlds United”, a brilliant duo album with top Irish button accordionist Dermot Byrne, was distributed by Claddagh Records. Pierre’s talents extend beyond his musical abilities.

Merrie Klazek

Merrie Klazek is a versatile and respected artist in the world of music performance and education. A trumpeter by profession, Merrie is fluent in orchestral, chamber, solo, traditional (world), and popular music. She joined the full-time faculty at the University of Victoria’s School of Music in 2016, after 21 years playing full-time principal trumpet in Canadian orchestras. Over the past 2 decades Merrie has immersed into the world of folk and traditional music, where she has performed, taught, built community and developed the art of social dance calling. Her specialty is inter-generational community dance for all levels. Merrie believes that the joy generated through this inclusive pastime is unparalleled in its ability to connect humans with each other. The energy of the music and the smiles of the people have brought her great delight, teaching and calling dances for groups large and small for festivals such as Hornby Island Festival of the Arts, Canadian Celtic Celebration, Algoma Trad, as well as concert series, fundraisers, and various other events. Merrie holds a BMus from her native Calgary and an MMus from Northwestern University. Her artistic travels have taken her around the globe with performance highlights including Spoleto Festival Italy, Musik Contemporaire Strasbourg France, Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan hall, Stratford Festival, Hungary’s Niyrbator Festival, and more. She has presented at conferences including the International Trumpet Guild Conference, International Women’s Brass Conference, Canadian Women’s Brass Collective, World Trumpet Society, and the Trompetenmuseum in Badsackingen, Germany.

Andy Hillhouse

Since the early 1990s. Andy has had a varied career in music. He has been a touring bandleader in the Anglo-Celtic music world, a choral director, a music and culture scholar, and now a festival organizer. As a musician he toured North America and Europe through the 1990s as founder and manager of the folk rock/funk band Mad Pudding. Since 2000 he has toured with several of the Celtic music scene’s most respected and exciting acoustic musicians, including west coast innovative fiddler Zavellennahh Huscroft, champion Canadian fiddler Pierre Schryer, Irish flute player Nuala Kennedy, and Juno winners The McDades. His first solo CD, “Passages,” was released in May of this year and has an underlying theme of travel and transformation, alternating between traditional music, original songwriting, and song interpretations. He is the Artistic and Executive Director of the Harrison Festival of the Arts.

Andy is also a respected teacher and workshop facilitator, and has taught Celtic guitar backup and vocal workshops at Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Georgia Straight Guitar Workshop, Salt Spring Fiddle Camp, Sunshine Coast Summer School of Celtic Music, Algoma Trad, and others. He is former director of the Universal Gospel Choir, the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Choir, and has a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Toronto.

Stephanie Cadman

A world-renowned dancer, an accomplished actress of stage and screen, a virtuoso musician, and a knockout singer, Stephanie’s talents know no bounds. Maintaining a busy touring schedule both as a Canadian Folk Award-nominated solo musician and as a member of the all-female country trio Belle Starr, Stephanie has rocked audiences across North America and beyond. For most artists, that would be enough. Not Stephanie. Between her starring role in the Mirvish Production of Once, her celebrated career as an in-demand fiddler, and her breathtaking and award-winning dancing, Stephanie Cadman has proven herself to be one of Canada’s most versatile performers. She must sleep, but it’s hard to imagine when.

Stephanie maintains a lively and successful career in popular music. She has released two solo albums, Celtic Blaze and the Canadian Folk Award nominee Foggy New Year, both of which feature her impeccable fiddle and high, lonesome voice. As one third of the Americana supergroup Belle Starr, Stephanie sings, plays both guitar and fiddle, and serves as the band’s percussionist as she tap dances through their jigs.