Caleb Chia is a guitarist from West Auckland. He specializes in tunes accompaniment. He grew up in a musical family of fiddlers, pipers, flutists, and bodhran players. He is a regular and welcome part of the trad scene in New Zealand. He has studied with a number of top guitarists at festivals and summer schools in NZ and Ireland. Recognising his ability, the NZ Gaidhealtachd community sent Caleb to Ireland on a scholarship. Upon his return Caleb began a very successful week tutoring at the summer school. He has a passion for tune rhythms and has a varied playing style. His main influences are bands such as Lunasa, Grada and Ben the Hoose. Caleb plays with award winning family band ‘The Chia’s’, ‘Shimna’s List’, ‘Originz’ – recent guests at Wellyfest and before that at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany, and now with new four-piece band ‘Rough Town‘, guests at the Auckland Folk Festival, and much more. While performing regularly, Caleb also has a strong session focus, helping to run one of Auckland’s longest running sessions.
