Band Biogs

Dave Johnson

BAND leader

David plays fiddle, concertina and guitar and is the band's MC
and main dance caller. He is a respected authority on Australian traditional
dance music. He has led the National Folk Festival Bush Orchestra for twelve years and been the musical director of the Heritage Ensemble for over thirty years.

Anne Pidcock

Piano 

Anne plays piano, and occasionally calls dances too. Her solid dance rhythm is a feature of the band's sound.
Anne has played with Paddys River Band for more than
30 years and has recorded for ABC TV as well as for 2MBS FM.

Tony Stuart

Fiddle

Tony is a fine fiddle player and has been a regular
performer with the Heritage Ensemble for many years. He recently moved from the Central West to Goulburn. Tony also adds piano accordion and banjo and mandolin to the band sound.

Jude Stuart

Flute & caller

Jude is adept on flute and tin whistle and has been involved in colonial dance since the 1980s. She provides support dance calling and contributes vocals with her particular interest in songs of the late Sally Sloane.

Dave Hart

fiddle

Dave's fiddle playing can be heard in string quartet, local orchestra, Gilbert and Sullivan shows as well as at Paddys River functions. Apart from playing them well, Dave is a master violin maker and repairer. 

Mariamma Mitchell

piano

Mariamma brings years of experience in the world of classical piano - both performing and teaching. More recently she has taken up the fiddle and enjoys its size and ease of transport. Listen to her interesting chord variations.

Victoria Bromage

Fiddle

Victoria first played with Paddys River in about 2000 at a bush dance at Wingello. Since then she has followed an interest in Irish fiddle style and played with the Illawarra Australian tunes group No Such Thing. It is great that she has recently been available to play with us again

Maria Dunn

fiddle

Maria is a wonderful fiddler who also enjoys the relaxed
lifestyle of Penrose, where she lives with nature artist James, their two children Oscar and Prue, and a yard full of chooks. Maria joins the lineup from
time to time adding vocal and violin harmonies.

Tim Flaus

concertina

Tim has developed a smooth and fast concertina technique that will delight you. Accustomed to dealing with teenage students he brings a warm humour to the band when he can join us.