Kate Arnold

Originally a classically trained violinist and vocalist, Kate also took up the hammered dulcimer in 1997. Her particular interests are in improvisation, experimental composition and soundscapes, early/medieval and Renaissance music, Middle Eastern and folk music. She performs as a solo artist, with her band Fear of the Forest, and also works as a session musician and teacher. She can arrange different groups or combinations of musicians, whatever is most appropriate for your event. Recent engagements have included playing for Lisa Knapp, Rose McDowall and Doudou Cissoko, and she has worked with record producers such as Steve Albini and Tony Visconti. A love of new challenges has led her to venture into several different genres of music, making her an unusually versatile musician, as comfortable playing fiddle at a ceilidh dance or in a rock band as she is leading a classical string quartet or improvising on an Arabic maqam. The hammered dulcimer has tended to be treated mainly as a ‘folk’ instrument, but is so much more versatile than this would suggest. Kate's instrument (made by Oakwood) is fitted with a customised Headway electric pick-up so that she can play in any setting and with any kind of ensemble. She has an MMus (Distinction) in Ethnomusicology (specialising in Middle Eastern music performance) from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. She has a Certificate of Teaching from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is a member of both the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the Musicians' Union.