Rhian Evan-Jones
Rhian, a fiddle player from Ton Pentre, Rhondda, has performed for many years across the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. She has a vast knowledge of both classical and traditional music, reflected in her vibrant style and technique.
She began playing the violin at the age of 10 and later studied Music at Cardiff University. She has experience as a professional violinist, soloist and recording artist.
Inspired to play traditional Welsh music by an early 1990s performance with the legendary fiddler, Mike Lease and a friendship with James Rourke (flute), Rhian joined the newly formed Carreg Lafar.
Carreg Lafar have now been together for over 20 years and to celebrate this recently completed their 4th album. Rhian also plays in a number of new projects, including Maelog, a Galician/Welsh band and Brethyn, an all- female fiddle trio.
She has performed at Celtic Colours (Nova Scotia), Celtic Connections, Piping Live (Scotland) and Womex; in Asturias, Galicia and alongside Robin Huw Bowen, Mary Black, Liam O Maonlai, Dan ar Braz and many more contemporaries.
Rhian was invited to deliver a masterclass on traditional Welsh fiddle at the Interceltique Festival in Lorient, Brittany in 2014 – a festival which she has played many times with a wide range of artists.
Rhian tutors traditional Welsh fiddle at workshops alongside her career as a high school teacher of music.
Rhian plays a Don Tatem violin, circa1981.