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Ed Hicks and Peter Earle - All Instruments
We’re delighted to introduce this addition to this October’s programme: the All Instruments Class, led by the formidable team of Pete Earle and Ed Hicks.
Designed for players of all acoustic instruments and all abilities, this class focuses on the essential skills needed to play confidently with others. Through guided group playing, participants will develop their timing, listening, repertoire, and understanding of how to contribute effectively in a jam setting.
Ed Hicks is an experienced folk music tutor and multi-instrumentalist with more than a decade of teaching experience. Best known as an old-time banjo player, he also performs on fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. He spent ten years teaching for the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS), was a lead tutor on their Full English project, and previously directed the London-based Trad Academy.
Pete Earle is a double bassist, teacher, and graduate of Leeds College of Music. A familiar face at Sore Fingers since discovering bluegrass in 2006, he has performed at festivals across the UK, Ireland, and the United States. He also leads the popular Basic Music Theory elective, helping students build confidence with chords, scales, and playing by ear.
Together, Ed and Pete will lead a supportive, hands-on class built around playing music with others. Think of it as a guided slow jam: a welcoming environment where participants learn by doing, gain confidence in group settings, and develop the skills needed to join sessions and jams beyond the classroom. |
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Sam Quintana - Bass
Surrounded by music from an early age, Sam Quintana took up electric bass at 12 years old and double bass at 18. Since graduating from the jazz course at Leeds College of Music in 2014, he has become an active member of the city's thriving music scene. He has shared the stage with some of the finest musicians from across the UK and frequently performs alongside renowned artists from the jazz, folk and pop scenes.
As well as being an in demand sideman, Sam is a permanent member of an array of diverse creative projects which perform frequently around the UK including renowned Bluegrass band The Often Herd. He has played at esteemed venues and festivals, embarked on lengthy tours and has several television appearances to his name. Sam also performs internationally and has played a number of venues and festivals all over Europe. Notable gigs include Ronnie Scott's, Glastonbury Festival, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, London Jazz Festival, Stockholm Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Residency.
As an educator Sam has years of tuition experience, has led workshops in schools and higher education institutions and works as a lecturer and accompanist at Leeds Conservatoire. We are delighted to welcome him back to SFSS! Website
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Stuart Williams - Bluegrass Banjo
Stuart Williams made something of a speciality of teaching people to play Bluegrass. A serious guitar and banjo player, he’s been educating in Cheshire and beyond about the finer points of Bluegrass and music for many years and has taken his skill into many schools and unsuspecting places, in fact, anywhere you can cram up to 80 or more enthusiasts!
Stuart was the S.F.Week lead beginners tutor for many years and ran classes of up to 40 students teaching all instruments, a pretty impressive record I can tell you. His aim was to get everybody playing together and in tune within about an hour of the start of the first day. Judging by the letters we received from students after the event, he rarely failed!
He stood down from that role and handed over to younger players who were budding tutors themselves and some of those are present at this October, teaching. So you could say he taught some of the tutors as well.
We’re focussing on his banjo playing this time and he can hold his own there regularly playing in backing bands for touring US bands at the recent Crossover festivals and elsewhere of course, he never disappoints. Stuart is fine musician and real nice chap too. He will welcome everybody and be warned, he doesn’t believe in failure. If you’ve got banjo playing in you, he’ll sure bring it out!
So another chance to get in with one Britain’s best at Sore Fingers October W/E. We welcome you back Stuart! |
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Niles Krieger - Bluegrass Fiddle
We're delighted to welcome back Niles to SFSS! Niles is a versatile and highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist whose work spans a wide range of musical styles, with particular expertise in American roots music. A specialist on fiddle, mandolin and guitar, he is recognised for his dynamic musicianship and distinctive approach to traditional and contemporary repertoire.
He currently tours internationally with Newcastle-based progressive bluegrass band The Often Herd and alternative singer-songwriter Liam Fender, while also working extensively as a sought-after session musician for a diverse range of artists and projects.
Alongside his performing career, Niles is an experienced and engaging educator with a strong track record of delivering high-quality music tuition for learners of all ages and abilities. He regularly leads group sessions at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, CORE Music, Newcastle University and other venues across the North East. |
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John Moore - Bluegrass Guitar
John Moore is back for more SFSS fun, and we couldn't be happier!
John is a world-class mandolinist, guitarist and vocalist, best known as a member of the internationally acclaimed Bluegrass Etc. He is also mandolinist with California, who were named IBMA Instrumental Band of the Year three years running.
His career has taken him across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan, both on stage and in the studio. His credits include radio and TV commercials, film soundtracks and sessions for other artists, as well as productions for HBO, Paramount Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and A&E. He most recently appeared in HBO’s Deadwood and has featured on the covers of Bluegrass Now, Bluegrass Unlimited and Flatpick Guitar.
A highly sought-after teacher, John has taught generations of young musicians at leading music camps across the U.S., Canada and the UK, including Wintergrass Academy, Steve Kaufman’s Guitar Camp, and Rockygrass Academy.
John taught mandolin at the last SFSS October event, but this time he’s back to share his mighty guitar skills. Bluegrass guitarists, you don’t get much better than this... Website
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Laura Carrivick - Dobro
Dobro players - you're in for a real treat!
Laura is a Wiltshire based musician, specialising in bluegrass and country on dobro and fiddle.
She has toured throughout the UK and internationally with The Carrivick Sisters and in the all-female bluegrass band Midnight Skyracer. More recent projects include her prominent role in the country band Rocking Horse Money, where she shows off her bluegrass chops on dobro, fiddle, and vocals.
Alongside her performing career, she teaches fiddle and dobro through the Bath Bluegrass School and works as a recording session musician. She has extensive teaching experience, offering private lessons from her home studio, and delivering workshops at festivals and in primary school. Website
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Evan Davies - Mandolin
Evan Rhodri Davies is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter - and a very familiar face to SFSS!
Evan is known for his proficiency on the mandolin, guitar and fiddle, his soulful singing and songwriting and as a founding member of The Often Herd. In recent years, he has gained a reputation in the UK folk/roots scene as a proficient and creative practitioner with bold and inventive artistic ideas.
Evan is known as a confident and spontaneous stage performer and has toured around the UK and Europe. He has performed at festivals including Edinburgh Fringe, SummerTyne Americana, Twinwood Festival and many bluegrass festivals around the UK, Netherlands and France. He has also supported Grammy winning/nominated artists including Sarah Jarosz, Tim O’Brien and Yola Carter, as well as Chance McCoy (Old Crow Medicine Show), Chatham County Line and Holy Moly and the Crackers. As a sideman, Evan has also appeared onstage alongside renowned Swedish fiddler Lena Jonsson and New York jazz-bluegrass legend Grant Gordy.
A legendary mandolin player - Evan is one of the best, and will help you drive your playing forward in a tasteful and musical way. Website
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Charlotte Carrivick - Old-Time Banjo
One of the UK’s most sought after bluegrass and old time musicians, Charlotte Carrivick is an experienced and award winning musician and teacher.
Charlotte is a multi instrumentalist, composer, singer and songwriter based in South West England. She has received particular recognition as one of the leading flatpicking guitarists in the UK, to the extent that she was invited to teach at the prestigious 2024 Bryan Sutton's Blue Ridge Guitar Camp in North Carolina. However, she's not only an amazing guitar player - she also plays a mean banjo, too!
As one half of the The Carrivick Sisters, Charlotte grew up with a love of American Bluegrass and Old Time music alongside her twin sister, Laura, in South Devon. After many years of playing and writing together as well as touring across the UK, Europe and Canada, the duo released their 5th studio album at the end of 2022 to critical acclaim.
Charlotte was a founding member of all female bluegrass group, Midnight Skyracer, with whom she toured the UK, Europe and Australia. The band was the first bluegrass band to be signed to Island Records (2020), under which they released their second album, and was nominated for an IBMA Momentum Award (2018). Charlotte also plays in a duo with fiddle player, Kieran Towers and was a member of Cardboard Fox. She currently plays in her own project - The Charlotte Carrivick Band - featuring a stellar line up of some of the best bluegrass and old-time musicians in the UK.
We can't wait to welcome her back teaching Old-Time Banjo, and look forward to seeing what gems of wisdom she imparts on her class. From nailing the clawhammer rhythm to teaching driving, quirky old-time tunes - Charlotte is an excellent teacher and promises to lead a wonderful class! Website
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Kieran Towers - Old-Time Fiddle
Kieran Towers is a UK-based fiddler and multi-instrumentalist specialising in old-time music. He is highly regarded for his driving rhythm, improvisation skills, and vast knowledge of fiddle tunes.
A prominent member of bluegrass bands Hot Rock Pilgrims and The Charlotte Carrivick Band, he has also played with Pet Yeti, and more recently in JAEJA - a contemporary acoustic quartet blending together influences of jazz, old time, and Scandi-folk to create their unique, unbridled sound.
When he's not setting jams alight with his fiery fiddle playing, Kieran spends his time teaching in London, as well as leading several sessions across the capital. Whether you want to add to your fiddle tune collection, or improve your shuffle bowing to get that driving old-time sound - Kieran is your guy!
He's a well-known and well-loved face of SFSS, so we're very excited to be welcoming him back as a tutor. |
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Andy Quelch - Old-Time Guitar
Andy Quelch is a highly regarded guitarist whose understated approach and deep musicality have made him one of the most respected accompanists on the UK old-time scene. Drawing on influences from traditional Appalachian music, bluegrass and swing, he combines impeccable rhythm, tasteful dynamics and an instinctive understanding of ensemble playing.
Playing in bands such as The Firecrackers - as well as being an asset to any old-time jam - Andy has become a leading figure in the growing UK old-time community. His performances have earned widespread praise for his authenticity, energy and ability to bring the tradition to life for players of all levels.
A returning member of the Sore Fingers teaching team, Andy has consistently received outstanding feedback from students. His clear, supportive teaching style and exceptional command of old-time guitar make him an invaluable tutor for anyone looking to develop their accompaniment skills and deepen their understanding of the tradition. Welcome back Andy! |
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Roger Jackson and Sue Pomeroy - Singing
Roger Jackson and Sue Pomeroy will be using carefully curated songs to teach harmony, arrangement and performance techniques. Sue is an inspirational teacher and prolific songwriter and has two albums to her credit with her duo The Rye Sisters, while Roger whose powerful arrangements are a regular feature of SFSS concerts, is a seasoned leader of workshops and festival choirs.
Together they run Three Days in May, an annual three day singing extravaganza. Their repertoire draws on the traditional American folk music of The Carter Family, Doc Watson, through recording stars like Alice Gerard, Louvin Brothers,Nancy Griffiths, Osborn Brothers through to contemporary performers like Gillian Welch, Mandolin Orange and I’m with Her, who are continually revitalising our tradition and keeping it relevant and exciting. If you’re keen to learn how to create your own harmonies, or just want to improve your singing, you’ll be right at home with these two masters of the genre.
Sue and Roger’s fun approach to teaching belies their deep knowledge of songs and their performance, and you’ll come away with a feeling of achievement and inspired to take your singing forward. Website
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Percy Copley - Ukulele
*Class subject to bookings*
Percy performs and teaches bluegrass, country, old-time, jazz, and popular music from the Golden Age. A regular and much-loved tutor at S.F.Week, he brings exceptional musicianship, humour, and energy to every event. He has taught at camps across the UK and Europe and is especially popular with ukulele students.
After training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Percy built a diverse career spanning Shakespeare, musicals, and other stage productions, often incorporating his musical talents along the way. An accomplished actor, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, he is known for his ability to play almost anything put in his hands.
Locally, Percy is best known for his work on banjo, mandolin, guitar, ukulele, and bagpipes, among many other instruments.
Please note that this class will run subject to sufficient bookings, so be sure to register early, grab your ukulele and spread the word amongst your string-loving friends! |
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