Fiddlesticks BIO
Fiddlesticks the duo (Karen ad Jacko) began performing throughout NZ from the early 1990's, from Music, Wine and Wild Food Festivals to Castle Turrets, All Black Matches and Forest Festivals. Karen graduated from Canterbury University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Music in Composition. They reached the Finals in the first wave of TV "Idol" Shows; NZ's TV1 "Show Case" and were voted "Most Entertaining Act" at NZ's Gold Guitar Awards and "Best Instrumental" two years running. Our kids were dragged along with us on all tours with nannies in tow. Then in 1999 a touring bus was bought; touring became a way of life, home schooling began and soon after their two boys, George then 9 and Mackenzie 7 elbowed their way onto the stage to form the family band. In 2005 Fiddlesticks the family band made the move to Australia to work with Queensland Arts Council on their "Ontour By Request" and "Ontour in Schools" programs touring Queensland from Dust and Flies to Tropical Wonderlands. 2008 was the year for George and Mackenzie to go after their dreams and Fiddlesticks is again a duo performing at Festivals (recently Woodford, Imbil and Illawarra) Concerts, Folk Clubs and Cafes. They are very involved with the Brisbane Celtic Fiddle Club as well as hosting and conducting many Fiddle Workshops both in Schools and in the Community. 2010 see Fiddlesticks back on the Highways, touring with The Queensland Arts Council their new School Shows "Switched On" and "Curse of the Breton Fiddle".
About Karen
Her father was involved in the Folk Music Revival and introduced her to the style in the 1970's. Her love of Fiddle took her to Scotland in the 1980's where she studied under the great Scottish fiddle masters Tom Anderson and Alistair Hardie On her return to New Zealand she completed her Bachelor of Music at Canterbury University in 1992. In conjunction with her performing career with "Fiddlesticks" Karen has also developed a teaching career, working as an Instrumental Strings Teacher in both New Zealand and Australia she has taught privately, with groups and String Ensembles. She runs weekend Fiddle workshops, Primary and Secondary String Workshops, Youth Orchestra Workshops teaching fiddle techniques and musicianship. Karen has been a guest at Susuki Music camps in NZ and has taught voice at tertiary level, Tai Poutini Polytech in NZ. About Jacko
A stint with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Musician Training Scheme opened up a new world which he continued to explore at Canterbury University where he completed his Bachelor of Music in 1991. Since then along with Fiddlesticks Jacko has performed with many Bluegrass, Swing and Celtic Bands. Electronics' has always interested Jacko from when he made his first 5 string Electric Violin in 1995 to gaining respect with his recording and sound engineering of several C.D's in recent years. He is now combining these skills with the new age use of "live recording" (loop stations) and how it aligns with Electric Violins |
Karen comes from a line of musicians and is a fifth generation fiddle player. Brought up in the Scottish South reaches of New Zealand she has been driven by her love of music all her life.
Jacko was introduced to Folk Music while serving in the New Zealand Army, from there his career grew, performing with NZ Bush Bands in the Irish Pub Scene during the 1980's.