Catherine performs regularly with master pianist, Duncan Smith.
Together they have recorded four CDs, the latest, Rhymes & Reasons includes guests Natalie Haas, cello, Tony McManus, guitar, Hanneke Cassel, fiddle and Eric Breton, percussion, and was produced by Laura Risk
Catherine is also the fiddler in celtic/world fusion band Eilean Mor
www.eileanmor.net
Influences
Willie Hunter, Alasdair Fraser, Hanneke Cassel, Laura Risk, Martin Hayes, Liz Carroll, Eileen Ivers, Natalie MacMaster, La Bottine Souriante, Nigel Kennedy, U2, Jean Walker, Sting, Jewel, etc etc...
"Catherine Fraser confirmed her reputation as one of the Southern Hemisphere's leading Scottish fiddlers." NZ Folk
Scots/Australian fiddler Catherine Fraser has gained a reputation as a world-class performer and teacher, and presents the music of her heritage with finesse, passion and sensitivity.
Constantly in demand for concerts and workshops and acknowledged for her ability to combine a high level of technical skill with a rare depth of emotional expression, Catherine has gained the respect of audiences and students alike.
She is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, including Open Fiddle Champion, Kirriemuir, Scotland 2005, and the South Australian Music Industry Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Folk Music, 1996, 1997
Performances include appearances in Scotland, Canada, North America, New Zealand and of course around Australia.
Some recent career highlights include:
Presenter and performer, Australian String Teachers Conference 2009
Teacher, National Folk School, ACT, Australia 2009
Performer, National Folk Festival, ACT, Australia 2009
Performer, Jean Patrick Memorial Dance, California, USA 2008
Presenter, NZ String Teachers Workshop, Napier, New Zealand 2008
Performer, National Celtic Festival, Victoria, Australia 2008
Guest teacher, Boston Harbor Fiddle School 2007
Presenter and performer, Australian String Teachers Conference 2006
Performer and teacher, Scots Fiddle Festival, Edinburgh, 2006
Catherine is the Director of the Southern Hemisphere International School of Scottish Fiddle, a week long camp held annually in New Zealand, dedicated to the promotion of Scottish Fiddle music, and aimed at players of all ages and ability levels. For all the details visit www.shissf.com
"..the rhythmic drive of her fiddling carries the performance."
The Canberra Times
"An outstanding fiddler, Catherine has a rare grasp of Scottish dance music..and she has a knack of composing and interpreting slow airs. " The Living Tradition Magazine, UK
"...an elegantly lyrical shade of Scottish chamber-folk."
ABC Radio National
Heeeey, Catherine - it’s been a while :) - and how are you, hope things are good, are they?... Listen, I have a favor to ask you, could I? Since my picture won at the monthly level & Round 1, I got nominated for the LongHair Hawtie of the Year. Round 2 (Finals!) ends in a few days and... - was hoping for those 6 votes from you ;)
So... this is where you would cast a vote
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=188240006&albumId=1980868
Just look for this picture on the last row:
And these are the rules on how to 'do it' ...
Yeah, you do need to get accepted as a friend before you can vote, but they’re nice girls (the hawtie folks), no harm whatsoever :)
Thank you so much already,
In appreciation,
- Armand
PS. a very 'evil' thought - maybe you can tell your friends to vote too? ;)
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi Catherine, stoked to see we are now My Space friend - just had to drop by and say HI and listen to that great sound of yours . Well sure hope you'll drop by sometime and drop a line, much love..
If you have a band and would like to work in western central Massachusetts, I may be able to help book you. I started NC Booking back in '89 when I was booking a few bands from Scotland and Ireland. Now, 20 years later, I'm still booking great roots music acts. To find out more, visit http://northamptoncommunity.ning.com where you can REGISTER. Thanks!
Hmmm, let's see...maybe cause you IGNORED me on Monday outside the Guinness tent when I ran after you (quite embarrassingly, I might add) shouting 'Cathy!' ??? Whatever :) Hope your gigs went well...we had a blast!! Good times. Hey do you know anything about the Celtica festival? We're looking to apply or something....might see you in SA sometime!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
"All actions towards the Sacred Emptiness are of Universal Intelligence, and Ultimate Enlightenment! With the ultimate enlightened goal of Emptiness, all detailed rivers of actions shall reach the Universal Sea of Enlightenment!"
Hey Cathy, ummm, I can't think of anything to say. Oh yeah! - can't wait to see you and Duncan playing at the National at Easter time. Thanks for the book advice - I'm going to buy a copy of that book as soon as I see one. Also thanks heaps for your good advice not to swim in public swimming pools; I've decided you're right.
Catherine, Hi back and thanx for checking this out! Like it? CD review at www. metalmonthly. com/5StarVio7. html and 5 live Audio Interviews about everything Metal and ... Violins... and bow ... and NO GUITARS on our MySpace page under 'Blogs' and the beginning of our rock journal at www. metalmonthly. com/RockJournal. html ;) - Armand
. Well sure hope you'll drop by sometime and drop a line, much love..
Thanks for making it available through iTunes.
....
