Luke DanielsLuke Daniels
Luke is one of a new breed of contemporary composers coming from a background of folk and traditional music, 1992 BBC Young Tradition Award Winner and ex Riverdance band member.
Luke was more recently selected to take part in the Distil programme organised by the Scottish Arts Council, an event through which he met Judith Weir.
His latest piece 'Circle of Stone' was recently featured on BBC Radio 3's In Tune programme. Whilst previous commissions have been performed at the English National Opera Works, London Jazz Festival, South Bank's 'Folk in the Fall' and at The Royal Festival.
His work has received support in the past from Arts Council England, The Performing Rights Society Foundation and The Scottish Arts Council. He believes that the folk musical ethos can help young people develop a highly disciplined approach to music through their love and enjoyment of it. A belief that led him to set up his Traditional Music Academy at South Hill Park in 2004 with funding from the National Foundation for Youth Music. He is also a regular performer on rural touring schemes. Recently touring a classical septet to remote village halls in Lincolnshire, Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
I like to hear music come alive and take on its most fundamental role when it's part of an existing community.
'An engaging new force to reckon with.' The Guardian
