Dancers love good music, and there’s nothing that lifts our spirits more than a band on song, and music that lifts the roof off and sets our feet dancing. Here we celebrate our Scottish Country Dance music and musicians.
On 19 November 2020, long-time Scottish Country Dance musician Peter Elmes passed away. See more about the celebration of his life and fellow musician Aileen Logie’s tribute to Peter: the man, the musician and his legacy
André Nies: Mathematician and violinist
André is one of a number of mathematicians who’ve become involved with Scottish Country Dancing through their professional connections with Johnsonville tutor Rod Downey. Find out how André discovered Celtic music
Mary is well known as both a dancer and a musician in the Wellington Scottish Country Dance community. She was first listed as a musician on a Johnsonville Tartan Night programme in 2015. Read Mary’s story of Scottish fiddling around the world
Lynne Scott: Violynne
Lynne is well known in the Scottish Country Dancing music scene both locally and nationally, playing for events throughout New Zealand with a variety of musicians joining her bands. Find out more about Lynne’s journey to Scottish fiddling
Hilary Ferral: From classical violin to Scottish fiddling
We first met Hilary on the dance floor when she began dancing as a member of Tawa Club. In 2016 she joined Johnsonville Club and also emerged as a Scottish Country Dancing musician in Peter Elmes’ band. Read more about Hilary’s musical life
Aileen’s musical life started when she was five years old, desperate to learn piano. She arrived in Wellington from Scotland in 2009 and was ‘delighted’ to be contacted by long-time Wellington band leader Peter Elmes, and taken under his wing. She’s now forming partnerships and leading her own bands. See more about Aileen’s musical life
Ceol Alba: the music of Scotland
Ceol Alba is a group organised by Lynne Scott for those who love playing Scottish music for their own enjoyment, rather than as performers. They play not just dance music, but also airs, marches, laments, waltzes, and polkas! Find out more here
Celebrating music at Johnsonville (2018)
Peter Elmes played a very special role in the musical history of Johnsonville Club. From at least 1984, Peter Elmes “and His Band” (in early years) or “and Associates” (in later years) played for the club’s annual dances and tartan nights. Peter and other musicians continued to lighten our hearts, and liven our feet with their music during 2018. See more here
Johnsonville’s 2016 celebration of 50 Golden Years was an opportunity to recognise the special role of the musicians who’ve played for us. We appreciate them all – club members who share their musical talents with us, young musicians who have been encouraged to grow their skills playing with the band, and the bands who play for us at tartan nights and annual dances. Click here for more about the history of live music at Johnsonville