Hannah Read is a young fiddler and vocalist from Edinburgh, Scotland. Coming from a background of Scottish folk music, Hannah decided to broaden her horizons at a young age and venture into many other different genres of music including jazz, soul and various types of world music. At 11, Hannah started at the City of Edinburgh Music School, studying Scottish fiddle, classical violin, piano and jazz singing. Hannah took lessons with renowned performing musicians such as Mairi Campbell, Lise Aferiat and Sophie Bancroft. Whilst still at school, Hannah was an active member of the Scottish music scene, playing an eclectic range of music including folk, jazz, Hip-hop and Drum & Bass. Whilst still at school, Hannah played all over the UK. Her most memorable gigs were: playing at Edinburgh Castle and at the Millenium Dome in London; performing a solo violin concerto and playing for the Dalai Lama, both at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh; singing at The Isle of Eigg's 10th Anniversary Ceilidh ( Independence Day)and singing at Murrayfield Stadium.
Hannah played both lead and solo fiddle with The City of Edinburgh Music School’s chamber orchestra for Martyn Bennett’s epic composition - ‘MacKay’s Memoirs’. This piece was originally commissioned for the opening of The Scottish Parliament in 1999 and was later recorded and played at Martyn Bennett’s Memorial Concert at the Queens Hall in May 2005.
At 18, after leaving school, Hannah moved to Paris to study Jazz vocals at The American School of Modern Music. Here, she took lessons with Peter Giron, who was a great support during Hannah’s time in France and was a major inspiration for the next steps in her career. Whilst in Paris, Hannah performed in numerous clubs and bars.
Following Hannah’s year in Paris, she was commissioned to compose the music for The Rowan Tree Theatre Company’s annual production. In 2007 this was ‘The Journey of Jeannie Deans’, a play written by Judy Steel. After the score was completed, Hannah acted, played fiddle and sang in the month long tour around Scotland. The show was then taken to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gaining 4 star reviews.
In September 2007, Hannah moved to Boston where she is currently studying fiddle at Berklee College of Music. Hannah is excited about taking her Scottish roots to another country, whilst immersing herself in and learning about the different genres of music America offers. An Edinburgh-Boston fusion is emerging! Hannah has already studied under numerous fantastic and inspirational musicians, including Christian Howes and John McGann.
Hannah is a member of The FOLK ARTS QUARTET, a progressive folk quartet, fusing fiddle styles.
Hannah has appeared onstage with The Treacherous Orchestra (a collaboration of Scottish musicians from Croft No. 5, Salsa Celtica, Peatbog Faeries) Laura Cortese, Hanneke Cassel, Daimh, Maeve Gilchrist, Crooked Still, Margaret Glaspy, Eric Robertson, Ewan Macpherson, Celine Dion and many others.
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