Musicians

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.

In memory of Peter Elmes
André Nies: Mathematician and violinist
Musicians in profile at Johnsonville (2020)
Mary McDonald: A world of Scottish fiddling
Lynne Scott: Violynne
Heather Elder: A ‘serious’ fiddle player
Hilary Ferral: From classical violin to Scottish fiddling
Jason Morris: A musical trail of family history
Aileen Logie: From Scotland to Wellington
Ceol Alba: the music of Scotland
Celebrating music at Johnsonville (2018)
Peter Elmes: His contribution to dancing
“Live” music at Johnsonville: A history (2016)
Photo history of our musicians from 1999

In memory of Peter Elmes

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

Musicians in profile at Johnsonville (2020)

Despite so many interruptions to our dancing this year with Covid-19 restrictions, Johnsonville Club was fortunate to have lots of live music to raise our spirits. See more about our musicians during 2020 and their musical journeys

Mary McDonald: A world of Scottish fiddling

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

Heather Elder: A ‘serious’ fiddle player

Heather first played for Johnsonville at our October Tartan Night in 2017 with Lynne Scott’s band. She’s been told she looks very serious when playing her fiddle – but she’s rejoicing on the inside! See more about Heather’s musical journey

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

Jason Morris: A musical trail of family history

Jason’s first musical engagement for Johnsonville was at the 2019-2020 RSCDS Wellington Region Hogmanay celebration. As with many musicians, there’s a trail of family history regarding Jason’s musical life. See more of his story here

Aileen Logie: From Scotland to Wellington

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

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

Peter Elmes: His contribution to dancing

In November 2018, we recognised the massive contribution Peter Elmes made to Scottish Country Dancing through his music, as he retired from playing his beloved button accordion. Click here for more about our farewells to Peter and see photos of the the joy and delight he brought to many, many nights of dancing

“Live” music at Johnsonville: A history (2016)

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

2001 Johnsonville Jewel Annual Dance – Iain Matcham, Lynne Scott, Carlton Downey, Hamish Cook, John Smith and Peter Elmes
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