A versatile and sought after performer on both violin and fiddle, she has toured globally with folk groups Fine Friday and Anam and collaborated with such high profile artists as Mike Scott (Waterboys), Dougie McLean, piping virtuoso Fred Morrison, and the all-star True North Orchestra. She’s a third generation Scottish composer, following grandfather Ronald Stevenson and aunt Savourna Stevenson. Anna-Wendy lives on North Uist from where she directs a traditional music course at the Lews Castle College, Benbecula, campus of the University of the Highlands and Islands. After winning a scholarship to lead an orchestra in Texas, Anna-Wendy returned to her native Edinburgh to pursue her love for Scottish fiddling. Quickly snapped up by globe- trotting folk group Anam, Anna-Wendy has toured the US, Japan and Europe's major festivals. She has since helped form all girl quartet Calluna (who's pure sound of flute, clarsach, fiddle and voice has graced many a festival) and trio Fine Friday with whom she has enjoyed great success: BBC ‘up and coming' nominees, many tours including Australia's major festivals and extensive work with Yehudi Menuin's “Live Music Now' scheme Her wide skill base also place her in demand as a session musician with a collaboration with world famous singer Dougie McLean and three opening concerts of new works at Celtic Connections to her name (Savourna Stevenson, Fred Morrison, Simon Thoumire). These commissions for Scotland's premier folk festival, mixed orchestral and traditional ensembles, a role which Anna-Wendy relished. This work was recognized by her “new voices” commission for the 2006 Celtic Connections, where Anna-Wendy's composing and arranging skills were to the fore in her highly acclaimed piece "My Edinburgh". Also a respected and sought after teacher, Anna-Wendy has been a senior tutor for all of Scotland's educational organizations (Adult Learning Project, Glasgow Fiddle Workshop, Lochgoil Fiddle Workshop, Feis). And, in 2005 she was invited to teach and lecture at the prestigious Swannanaoa Gathering in the USA. She has done research for the BBC radio programmes, Travelling Folk and Mr Anderson's Fine Tunes and has performed in popular children's television show Balamory. Her CD “Gowd and Silver” with her grandfather Ronald Stevenson of his arrangements of traditional Scottish music for fiddle and piano and a duo CD with brilliant young pianist James Ross were both released in 2005.
|
|