Tutors for 2025

Hanna Wiskari 

Megan Blennerhassett Photography [c]

Hanna will be working on Scandinavian tunes that have an interaction with Celtic tunes. These workshops will be for any instrument.

Hanna Wiskari is a Swedish saxophonist based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand. Firmly rooted in Scandinavian traditional music, she is driven by curiosity to branch out and find new ways to explore and express with the soprano saxophone as her main instrument, devising ways in which to use this non-traditional instrument in a folk music context. Over the past 20 years, Hanna has played in numerous bands and projects, touring extensively both nationally in her native Sweden and internationally. Passionate about sounds from around the world and human connections through the arts Hanna’s main source of inspiration is her strong belief in the power of music as a tool to support positive connections and changes, both within ourselves and with others.

For the last 15 years she has worked as an Artistic mentor for the worldwide movement Ethno, an intercultural project for young adult musicians from around the globe. When Hanna moved to Aotearoa New Zealand she decided to start Ethno here as well, becoming the co-founders and the musical director of Ethno New Zealand as well as Arts Connections Oceania.

Marika Chia

Marika will be teaching fiddle

Marika Chia comes from a large musical family and has been playing the violin since the
age of 4. Her career started with her family band, touring NZ, America and Europe between
the ages of 9-14. Since completing her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance she has
been performing full time in genres such as Folk, Gypsy, Classical, Pop and Jazz.
Over the last few years as a free-lance violinist she has worked with artists such as Ms
Lauryn Hill, members of SOL3 MIO, Albi & The Wolves, Jordan Luck, Written By Wolves and
more. She has toured NZ, Australia, Ireland and France getting to perform in stadiums and
festivals all around the world.

Adam Ogle

Adam is well known to Gaidhealtachd regulars and in hot demand for touring shows here and overseas, Adam is providing us with his skills on backing the new tunes we are learning and mentoring the guitarists,and closet banjo players who will be coming.

Anna Percy

Anna has been playing cello for as long as she can remember, but has enjoyed it a lot more since learning that cello is the traditional accompaniment instrument for Scottish tunes. She is a stalwart of the Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club and often plays for ceilidhs, events and ceremonies of all (Scottish) types. Accompaniment workshop – all instruments welcome.  This is a time to share ideas and develop skills in rhythm, harmony, chord choices and purposeful listening.  These are good skills for any musical situation and will be even more fun when we use them to come up with backing for our Viking tunes.

Heather Steadman

Flax weaver from Helensville brings her flax craft to our tent.

Anna Pendred

A local of Maungaturoto who will be running a choir

…and more to come!