Meet the talented international musicians joining us for NZ Summer School 2024/25
Elke Baker
Since discovering Scottish country dancing while in college, Elke Baker (fiddle) has performed at dance and music events across North America and around the world, including TAC Summer School, Pinewoods, Scottish Weekend, Asilomar, IB Event in Italy, Scotland, England, Ireland, Japan and West Africa.
1995 U.S. National Scottish fiddle Champion, Elke taught at the Washington Conservatory of Music, as Artist-in-Residence at Montgomery College, as a panelist at Harvard University, and has taught monthly workshops for the Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club for more than 30 years. She has played concerts at venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Honolulu Academy of Arts, and countless festivals.
Elke’s recordings include three SCD albums with band Terpsichore; Better Days, a waltz and couple dance album featuring four ensembles; On a Cold Winter’s Day with Ken Kolodner; and the world premiere recording of the pibroch The Fingerlock on fiddle.
Playing music for dancers is one of her very favourite things…although dancing runs a close second.
Lisa Scott
Lisa Scott, a native of Portland, Oregon, is an accomplished pianist and teacher. She began her piano studies early and continued on to earn a Bachelor of Music from Lewis and Clark School of Music and to study the art of accompaniment at the University of Southern California and in New York City.
In her early twenties, she began Scottish Country Dancing and soon earned her Preliminary Teaching Certificate. This led to 40 years of playing Scottish music for classes, dances, workshops, balls and teacher certificate classes throughout North America, and in Scotland and Japan.
Lisa’s driving dance rhythms make her music an inspiration and joy for dancers.
Wild Heather
Sharlene Penman, Anne-Marie Forsyth, Mary McDonald and Lynne Scott
Wild Heather emerged from a gathering of Waikato dancers in a remote Whakamaru lodge about 15 years ago. Sharlene, Anne-Marie, Mary and Lynne played for social dancing, after which we were asked “do you guys travel?”. We thought – why not? and so Wild Heather was born. Since then, Wild Heather has brought its musical energy and professionalism to many of NZ’s dance events. Its members have travelled widely internationally, playing with some of the world’s best SCD musicians. A highlight has been twice stepping in to replace bands that have withdrawn from NZ Summer Schools with only days to go.
Wild Heather’s string-focused sound includes the deeper-toned viola, which adds richness and harmony to the band’s melodies and rhythms. We thoroughly enjoy providing music that inspires the dancers and is also great to listen to!
Aileen Logie’s Scottish Country Dance Band
Aileen Logie, Hilary Ferral and Jason Morris
We are a trio of experienced, accomplished musicians and dancers. Our style is authentic Scottish, lively yet expressive. We are based in Wellington, happy to travel anywhere to play.
For the RSCDS New Zealand Branch Wellington Summer School from 28 December 2024 to 5 January 2025
