It’s time once again for the Sooke Folk Music Society’s monthly Coffee House. This Saturday, October 19, we are very pleased to feature a musician who has recently moved to the Sooke community. She is fiddler extraordinaire, Sarah Tradewell.
Raised in Northern Saskatchewan, fiddler and singer, Sarah Tradewell combines the traditional folk styles of the prairies with the Celtic influences of the West Coast. Her charm and warmth are conveyed through her comfort on stage and highlighted by her energy. The speed, facility, and clarity of her technical ability creates excitement and gives her performances a dramatic flair.
Sarah performs with a skill and maturity that belies her years. Her passion for entertaining and a variety of musical influences results in performing styles ranging from old time, to bluegrass, to jazz, and all the way to classical. Her innate ability to combine elements of styles creates a smooth homogeneous concert with wide audience appeal. Recognition for her talent and professionalism have won her the opportunity to perform at BC Place during the 2010 Olympics, at the Sydney Opera House with the 2011 YouTube Symphony Orchestra, and in Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave with the Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre at the McPherson Playhouse.
Sarah’s home was always filled with music, so it was not surprising that she began to sing and play piano at an early age. By age three, Sarah was on stage. Her interest in performing also led her to take lessons in acting and dance which earned her roles in musical theatre. To date, Sarah has been involved in15 musical productions, including roles as Brigitta (Sound of Music), Heidi (Heidi), and Sandy (Grease).
At nine, Sarah decided she wanted to learn the violin. As a diligent and gifted student she progressed quickly in both classical violin and fiddle. Sarah began her professional career at 14 and released her first album, Traditions, based on music she grew up with, at age 15. Sarah moved to Victoria in September 2007.
Always striving to move forward, Sarah continues to seek out music and musicians that can expand her horizons. Bill Woods, author of Mel Bay’s bodhran instruction books, collaborated with Sarah on an album of Celtic tunes, resulting in the release of For the Record in 2010. Sarah is currently continuing her musical training at the University of Victoria. She is an active performer as a violist, fiddler, singer, and is the violist of the Kovich Quartet. Sarah is the current BC Provincial Fiddle Champion and has just released her third album, Till the Green Woods Rang.
For her performance at our Coffee House, Sarah will be joined by Cheryl Tradewell. We hope to see you all come out and support live music in Sooke. It all happens this Saturday, October 19 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1962 Murray Road. Doors open at 7pm with our open stage at 7:30 and our feature at 9.
Contributed by Dave Gallant