MEET THE BAND
Experienced Folk Musicians and Ceilidh Callers
Passerida brings together three experienced folk musicians with a long-standing involvement in traditional music and social dancing. Each member has extensive experience performing at ceilidhs, folk events and community celebrations throughout the region.
Our understanding of both the music and the dancing allows us to create a relaxed atmosphere where complete beginners feel welcome while experienced dancers can enjoy a full evening of ceilidh dancing.
With lively live music and clear, friendly dance calling, we help guests get onto the dance floor quickly and enjoy the event from the very first dance.
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FIDDLE, MANDOLIN & BAND MANAGER
Tim
Best known as the fiddle player & manager of the highly regarded, national folk festival performing ceilidh band Frog on a Bike, Tim gets back to his folk roots here with Passerida!
With an initial background in classical training, Tim soon developed a passion for folk music and has exclusively performed in this genre for many years. His focus specifically lies in the English tradition, and he is not only a skilled fiddle player but also a violin repairer.
As a folk musician, when he's not performing with Passerida or his other musical projects (such as Fluidic Folk or the aforementioned Frog on a Bike), Tim is an occasional Morris musician & dancer with Cambridge based Granta Blue Morris, having also performed in the past with Cambridge Morris Men, Old Speckled Hen Morris and Ely & Littleport Riot Border Morris respectively.
RECORDERS AND FLUTE
Stephanie
Stephanie started playing folk music at secondary school in 2008 where she also trained classically to Grade 8 on flute and piano.
She has been playing recorder from even younger and particularly enjoys Baroque recorder music! She still regularly plays across a wide range of styles but never fails to be drawn back to folk. At university, she joined the Cambridge University Ceilidh Band and even spent a year as President of the band in 2014-15. She discovered a love for ceilidh dancing and enjoys getting others to try it out. Her favourite tunes are heavily influenced by whether she'd like to dance to them or not!
Away from the band, in addition to her work with ceilidh band Fluidic and calling for a variety of other ceilidh bands, Stephanie is a dab hand at crafting and also Squire of Cambridge based Cotswold Morris side Granta Blue.
GUITAR
Paul
Paul has been playing folk music and been a member of the Cambridge University Ceilidh Band for longer than he cares to remember!
Originally, classically trained on violin to Grade 4, during secondary school he picked up guitar in order to accompany his family singing sessions and his love for it grew from there. He has a love of dance and the rest of the band believe this is where his solid rhythms come from.
Away from the band, in addtion to his work with Fluidic and calling for various other bands, Paul is also a member of Cambridge based Cotswold Morris side Granta Blue.
Our Ceilidh Dance Callers
Every Passerida booking includes an experienced ceilidh dance caller to guide guests through the dances and help everyone feel confident on the dance floor. We work with a carefully selected team of skilled callers, chosen for their ability to make ceilidhs enjoyable, inclusive and accessible for dancers of all ages and experience levels.
The caller assigned to your event will depend on the style of celebration, location and availability, but all of our callers are experienced in leading ceilidhs for weddings, private parties, barn dances, community events and corporate functions.
Whether your guests are seasoned dancers or complete beginners, our friendly callers provide clear instructions and encouragement throughout the evening, helping to create a fun, relaxed and memorable ceilidh experience.
