Winner of two Irish Music Awards: 2011 Top Traditional Group and 2012 Top Duo. Nominated for 3 Canadian Folk Music Awards, a Western Canadian Music Award and 4 Vancouver Island Music Awards.
Known for her expressive fiddling style and smouldering vocals, Qristina Bachand is a consummate performer who is clearly at ease on stage. Her contagious energy and love of Folk and Celtic music is always at the forefront as she captivates her audiences with her energy and spirited performances that showcase her fiddling and vocal talents. As a vocalist, Qristina enjoys performing a repertoire of original and traditional songs that bring out deep emotions with which people can easily relate.
A classically-trained violinist, Qristina’s fiddle skills shine with beautiful tone and passionate delivery. She began her musical journey at the age of six with classical violin lessons through the Suzuki Violin Method, and quickly took an interest in Folk fiddle. As a teen, Qristina was a member of Daniel Lapp’s B.C. Fiddle Orchestra, performing at major local events. Over the years, Qristina has received numerous regional and national awards, trophies and scholarships for her fiddling, including full scholarships to study Irish fiddle at Ceili Camp (Harrison Hot Springs) and Cape Breton fiddle at the Gaelic College (Cape Breton). She has also immersed herself in the Scottish and Irish fiddle traditions while touring and performing in those countries, including performances at Speyfest in Scotland, Feakle Traditional Music Festival in Ireland and a featured performance spot at the 2009 Tullamore Fleadh Concert stage (All Ireland Championships).
Qristina is also a popular and sought after fiddle teacher, having taught privately as well as at workshops, music camps and festivals in Canada, the United States and Europe. One of her many teaching highlights includes a weeklong instructional camp at Goderich Celtic Roots College in Ontario.
Clean fun and serious skill aren’t opposed to traditional music and that is evident when you watch Qristina perform. While still mindful of its origins, Qristina has the ability to add elements that bring the music well beyond its traditional roots and into the 21st century.
Classes:
Beginner: This class is for players with limited fiddling experience. Students should know how to hold the fiddle and bow and be able to play a few simple tunes at a moderate pace. In this class we will learn a few standard Irish session tunes while focusing on tone, pitch and overall playing confidence. Students will go home with the sheet music for each tune to ensure tunes are not forgotten, although an audio recorder would also be a good idea! Questions such as “what’s the difference between a jig and a reel” or “what’s the difference between Scottish and Irish fiddling” are more than welcome here!
Beginner Plus: This class is for those able to learn moderately complex tunes comfortably by ear up to speed with good bow technique and pitch. The focus of this workshop is not just to learn cool new Irish session tunes, but also to work on playing up to speed while still maintaining good tone and pitch. Students in the workshop will also be introduced to a few bowing styles and Celtic ornaments and learn how one could incorporate these skills into the tunes learned in class, as well as in Celtic tunes in general. Sheet music will be distributed to ensure tunes are not forgotten. Audio recorders are also recommended!
Intermediate: This class is for intermediate players with a good ear who can play with confidence but want to increase their Celtic session repertoire. Although the tunes we decide to learn will be the choice of the class, learning interesting and unique tunes in a variety of keys and styles are guaranteed. We will also look at bowing and Celtic ornamentation by incorporating these skills into the tunes learnt in class, as well as learn how to use them in Celtic tunes in general. Sheet music will be distributed to ensure tunes are not forgotten. Audio recorders recommended!
Advanced: This will be a fast paced class for advanced players who have experience playing a wide range of tunes with confidence but want to increase their Celtic session repertoire of unique and challenging tunes. Although the tunes we decide to learn will be the choice of the class, learning interesting and unique tunes in a variety of keys and styles are guaranteed. We will also look at bowing and Celtic ornamentation by incorporating these skills into the tunes learned in class, as well as learn how to use them in Celtic tunes in general. Sheet music will be distributed to ensure tunes are not forgotten. Audio recorders recommended!