AULD ALLIANCE FIDDLERS SOCIETY
Faculty
ADAM SUTHERLAND
Originally from Errogie, on the south shore of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands, Adam Sutherland has devoted his life to composing, performing and teaching Scottish fiddle music. Two of his tunes, 'The Road to Errogie' and 'Trip to the Market', have become session standards in many countries around the world, alongside a growing catalogue of equally popular compositions.
On stage, Adam has become well known for touring with some of the most celebrated names on the Scottish scene, including Nae Plans, Session A9, Treacherous Orchestra, Peatbog Faeries and Croft No. Five. He is regarded as one of the most exciting fiddle players, composers and teachers in a scene overflowing with talent.
Adam is also one of the most sought-after teachers of Scottish fiddle anywhere, having been invited to teach at camps across America, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. His students know him as a warm, patient and encouraging teacher — with no shortage of humour along the way.
Groups
Nae Plans, Session A9, Treacherous Orchestra, Peatbog Faeries, Croft No. Five
JENNA REID
Born and bred in Quarff, Shetland, Jenna Reid began playing fiddle at a young age alongside her sister and brother, under the tuition of the legendary Shetland musicians Tom Anderson and Willie Hunter. She is now regarded as one of Scotland's leading fiddle players and teachers.
Renowned for her distinctive tone as both performer and composer, Jenna has released several acclaimed solo albums, including Working Hands and, most recently, One Day, recorded alongside her long-standing musical partner, pianist Harris Playfair. She tours internationally with Blazin' Fiddles, one of Scotland's most celebrated traditional music groups, and is also a member of the fiddle quartet Rant. She has shared the stage with artists including Julie Fowlis, Dougie MacLean and the Transatlantic Sessions, and her work has earned major recognition, including Composer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2019, as well as a finalist place for the Paul Hamlyn Composer Award.
Beyond performing, Jenna has been an invited guest teacher and speaker with the Benedetti Foundation, and works as a freelance announcer for the BBC. She is also the author of four music books and two children's books.
Groups
Blazin' Fiddles, Rant, Duo with Harris Playfair
ALASDAIR WHITE
Born and brought up on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides — an island chain of singular importance to Gaelic Scotland's musical heritage — Alasdair White is an exceptional exponent of west coast Scottish music. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost Scottish fiddle players of his generation.
He is perhaps best known as a member of the seminal Battlefield Band for over 16 years, touring extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia during that time. He has also performed and recorded as a guest alongside many of the best-known names in Scottish, Irish and Breton traditional music, including Julie Fowlis, Eddie Reader, Manus Lunny and Nuala Kennedy. Now based in New York, he continues to work as an internationally active musician.
Alasdair's current ongoing projects include Daimh and the Alan Kelly Gang, alongside his continued involvement with Battlefield Band. He recently premiered An Iuchair, an hour-long original commission, at the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway. He is available for performance as well as group and individual instruction.
Groups
Battlefield Band, Daimh, Alan Kelly Gang
LIZ DOHERTY
Originally from Co. Donegal, Ireland, Dr Liz Doherty has over three decades of experience in Irish traditional music education. A well-known fiddle player, she also holds a PhD focused on Cape Breton fiddle music.
A founding member of Nomos, she went on to tour and record with the Bumblebees before pursuing a solo career. Her award-winning work explores how traditional music is learned and taught, helping musicians of all ages to learn more effectively and supporting teachers in creating richer, more engaging learning experiences.
Liz is the creator of the Trad360 Method, a holistic framework for learning and teaching Irish traditional music. She now directs I Teach Trad, a centre dedicated to training teachers of Irish traditional music.
Groups
Nomos, The Bumblebees
ERIC WRIGHT
Raised on pure Vermont air and inspired by his love for American Old Time and Irish music, Eric Wright is a genuinely unique cellist. Taking his innovative bowing techniques, chording styles and "the chop" to new levels, he has become a highly sought-after performer, accompanist, session musician, producer and arranger across both traditional and contemporary folk styles.
His work has earned wide recognition, including a 2017 JUNO Award for Instrumental Album of the Year with The Fretless, alongside multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards and Western Canadian Music Awards for Instrumental Group/Ensemble and Instrumental Album of the Year — as a solo artist, in duo with Màiri Rankin, and with The Fretless.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music in cello, music synthesis and film scoring, Eric began his career in California scoring films and documentaries before working as a music consultant for EMI Records. He went on to produce electronic music for APM, IFM and Sound Manipulations, and has co-produced three albums with The Fretless, alongside production credits spanning genres from experimental folk to synthpop.
Groups
The Fretless, Speaker Face, Duo with Màiri Rankin
IAN CARR
Originally from Cumbria, England, Ian Carr began playing music at a young age: mouth organ from the age of three, followed by piano and accordion, before turning to guitar as a teenager — one day in the late 1970s, borrowing his mum's guitar to learn "Octopus's Garden." Active since 1987, the instrument quickly became far more than an accompaniment tool for him: it became his musical signature.
Widely regarded as one of the most original guitarists of his generation, Ian has developed a highly distinctive accompaniment style, drawing influence from the legendary Shetland guitarist Peerie Willie Johnson. Often described as "avant-folk," his playing moves fluidly across Celtic repertoire, English folk, Northumbrian and Scandinavian traditional music, and more fusion-oriented sounds.He was part of The Kathryn Tickell Band until the late 1990s, before going on to play with Swåp and The Kate Rusby Band.
As a record producer, he has shaped numerous critically acclaimed albums, notably for Eddi Reader and Kris Drever. Now splitting his time between the UK and Sweden, he continues exploring the connections between British and Scandinavian folk traditions, particularly alongside nyckelharpa player Niklas Roswall.
Groups
The Kathryn Tickell Band, Swåp, The Kate Rusby Band
RACHEL HAIR
Widely regarded as one of the world's finest exponents of Scottish harp (clarsach) playing, Rachel Hair is a prominent figure on the traditional music scene. She has toured extensively throughout Europe, the US and beyond, and has released five critically acclaimed solo albums.
Her most recent release, SPARKS, recorded with duo partner and guitarist Ron Jappy, sees her return to her Highland roots with an eclectic mix of jigs, reels and marches from Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man, paired alongside her own compositions. Now based in Glasgow, Rachel is passionate about promoting the harp — Scotland's most ancient instrument — striving to move it beyond its stereotypical, stuffy ballroom image while remaining true to her Highland roots.
A world-renowned soloist and teacher, she has performed and taught at harp festivals across the USA, Japan, Russia, France, Switzerland, Spain, Germany and Scotland. She has published four books of harp arrangements and compositions, some of which now feature on the Trinity College London and RCS Scottish Harp exam syllabuses. She also adjudicates at major international harp competitions, including the Trophée Camac at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, and has judged the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
Groups
Duo with Ron Jappy (Rachel & Ron)