Jackie Luke
Performer, Teacher, Recording Artist, Artistic Director  

 

I have played hammered dulcimer since 1985.
As Australia's leading exponent of the hammered dulcimer, I continue to be fascinated by this beautiful instrument, and its unique place in Australian musical history.
I teach, perform and write for the instrument, and play dulcimer and bouzouki in Springtide with my husband Greg Wilson. As a member of this, and other high profile ensembles, I have toured Australasia, UK, Europe, China and North America. In 2016 I organised a successful tour of New Zealand for Springtide.
Most recently I performed with the Millennium Ensemble, playing Sandouri for the Australian premiere of Mikis Theodorakis' modern masterpiece, To Axion Esti, at the City Recital Hall, Sydney. I have also played hammered dulcimer with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in their highly successful concert series Lord of the Rings in concert - Fellowship of the Ring.
I enjoy the vibrant acoustic music scene and diverse cultural mix in Australia and have developed a special interest in the music of Greece, North America, UK and Ireland, and of course my native New Zealand.
In addition to hammered dulcimer, I play Greek sandouri, bouzouki, electric cello,and piano. I sing and write my own songs and have enjoyed success in international songwriting competitions.
As an accredited teacher I run workshops, and offer tailored private lessons. For more details of my activities over the last three decades please read on…

BANDS / ENSEMBLES
 

• Performs with Springtide at folk festivals, clubs, restaurants, and theme concerts.
  In 2005 travelled to Beijing, China to perform at the World Cimbalom Congress
   

• Formed The Fellowship of the Strings which enjoyed success at major festivals in Australia including the National Folk Festival. The band also performed in Ferrara, Italy at the Ferrara Buskers Festival in 2008
   

• Founded the Celtic band Mattawa which held a 3 year residency at the Settlers Arms Inn, St Albans, NSW.
   

• Musician and organiser of Olde Empire Band which has played traditional English country dance music in Australia for 3 decades.
   

• Devised the Greek ensemble Musical Mezedes with mezzo -soprano Hellen Aristides which was featured in the Greek Festival of Sydney several years running
   

• Duo with Gillian Alcock for the World Cimbalom Congress, Slovakia, and International Hackbrett Festival, Munich Germany 1995
   

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES
 

• Millenium Ensemble conducted by George Ellis - Sandouri - To Axion Esti - Mikis Theodorakis
   

• Queensland Symphony Orchestra - Lord of the Rings in Concert - Fellowship of the Ring conducted by Maestro Ludwig Wicki - Hammered Dulcimer
   

• Sydney Symphony Orchestra - Lord of the Rings Symphony conducted by Maestro Howard Shore - Hammered Dulcimer
   

• Greek Sandouri with Millenium Ensemble conducted by George Ellis, 2004 Olympic Torch Ceremony and City Recital Hall, Sydney
   

• Toured as support act for Australian band Colcannon during ther NZ tour 1993.

 

TEACHING & WORSHOPS
 

• Taught and performed at the Upper Potomac Dulcimer Fesitval, WV, USA 1995.

• National Folk Festival Master classes, most recently 2009
   

RECORDINGS & SONGWRITING
 

• Beauteous Grove 1992 - solo album
  Where the Waters Meet - Mattawa
  Fellowship of the Strings
  Singing My Family Tree - Springtide
  The Wisdom of Trees - Springtide
   

• Top 5 Finalist in MusicOZ competition 2008 - River of Tears