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Alex Davidson

25 January, 2021 By

Alex grew up in the Hutt Valley and developed a love for Irish traditional music as a teenager. He was fortunate to be encouraged and guided by session members such as Pat Higgins and Ruairidh Morrison at Wellington’s Molly Malone’s in the 80’s and early 90’s. Playing Scottish highland bagpipes in pipe band and solo piping competitions under strict and regimented rules and style, Alex was delighted to learn from Hamish Moore of the older piping tradition founded in dance that survived the Clearances in Scotland when musicians emigrated to Cape Breton. Here he found a style of piping that was more closely linked with Irish traditional music, particularly the music shared between Donegal and Scottish West Coast Island and Highland communities. Alex has gone on to learn and play Irish whistle, flute and guitar, along with Scottish small pipes and highland pipes.

Alex particularly enjoys the musical collaborations he’s been fortunate to be a part of over the years. These include musicians that have come together for various Folk Club performances in Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch and while living in Nelson, concerts at the Nelson Centre for Musical Arts and the special performances of Cruisich, The Standing Stone at the Tauranga and Nelson Arts Festivals, driven by the creative energy and music of Bob Bickerton. On his family’s return to Nelson recently, Alex has re-connected with his love of the session, with the warmth and friendship of local musicians inspiring the learning of new tunes and musical collaborations.

Alex is looking forward to sharing tunes, thoughts and techniques with attendees at this year’s Ceol Aneas whistle workshops.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Instrumental classes 2023

Weekend workshops

Flute, Fiddle, Free Reed, Banjo/Mandolin, Guitar, Whistle, Singing, Uilleann Pipes, Set Dancing

EarlyBird registrations end:
Sunday, 16 April 2023

Enrol Now

Public Events

Tutor Concert

Sunday, 4 June 2023 at 7:00pm
The Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, 48 Nile Street
Adults $30 (booking fees will apply) Students (with ID) or 18 & under $20
Book Tickets

Ceili Dance

Saturday, 3 June 2023 at 7:00pm
Trafalgar Hall (67 Trafalgar Street, Nelson)
Tickets at the door on the night (Cash only please)

Sessions

Fri, Sat & Sun
at:

Friday: The Prince Albert – side room (5pm), The Workshop Brewery, Wakatu (aka O’Shedigans), Mama Cod.

Saturday:The Free House, Kismet, Prince Albert, Workshop Brewery

Sunday:The Wakatu Hotel, The Workshop, The Freehouse, Prince Albert (Singing session)

Monday: The Free House (2pm).

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