Saskia Tomkins


Saskia Tomkins

 

Saskia is on leave; current faculty are listed here.

"Saskia was engaging, helpful, informative, and supportive." Participant, 2016 LFM camp

"I learned so much from Saskia in one short week: she has rock-solid classical skills and the broader perspective of someone who also has a huge amount of experience with world and folk music." Participant, 2016 LFM camp

Saskia Tomkins, from the UK, moved to Ontario in 2007 with her family, bringing with them a wealth of musical talent and experience. Saskia’s musical abilities on bowed strings are wide ranging, from classical to Celtic, to Roma-jazz, to songwriter accompaniment. After seeing Stefan Grappelli perform three times, she completed a B.A. in Jazz and Popular music. She has played with countless artists in many genres, including Uriah Heep’s 30th anniversary concert, improvising with dancers at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, and learning cello for Michael Bogdanov and the English Shakespeare Company. She has been recorded on over 60 albums for other artists and several with her own groups. Saskia is also the All Britain Champion for Irish Fiddle.

In Canada, Saskia has worked at 4th Line Theatre for 8 years as their bowed strings musician. Saskia was commissioned to co-write the music with Steafan Hannigan for Driving Miss Daisy at The Capitol Theatre, Port Hope, and developed the music for the Broadway hit, "Come From Away", also with Steafan. She is principal viola in the Northumberland Orchestra, and principal 2nd violin in Quinte Symphony Orchestra and frequently plays with Kim Doolittle and David Newland as their fiddler.

Her personal projects include her family band ‘Clan Hannigan,’ the instrumental duo ‘2ish,’ the Celtic trio ‘Cairdeas’ and the jazz trio ‘Marsala and the Imports.’ Saskia currently has three albums on iTunes: Two with ‘2ish’ and one with Steafan. In between gigs, Saskia spends time teaching violin and viola, reading books and watching the birds out of the window.

Interview from the Capitol Theatre, Port Hope, Ontario, April 9, 2021

Saskia’s website

Facebook @clanhannigan @2ishmusic

Twitter @fiddlersas @clanhannigan @2ishmusic