Bellows and Buttons
Music Tuition Weekends
Tutors
Andy Cutting, Marinette Bonnert, Nick Wiseman-Ellis, Vicky Cooper and Helena Painting.
Andy Cutting
Andy Cutting is a rarity. A musician's musician: a soulful and technically outstanding melodeon practitioner with an ear for a fine tune. Many of his tunes have been purloined along the way: some considered contemporary classics on the folk scene. But then, Andy is also a warm and emotive perfomer, modestly engaging his audiences with his self-deprecating wit and then flooring them with downright staggering musicianship. There are few melodeon players who put so much feeling into their playing, whether it be a set of dance tunes, or accompaniment to a slow English ballad.
Andy has been consistent musical force since he came swiftly to prominence with the innovative Blowzabella. As well as a thorough grounding in the English tradition, Andy's influences extend way beyond these isles, particularly to the music of Central France and to the storming Quebecois tradition. These influences will be well-known to all those familiar with Andy's duo with English fiddle player, guitarist and singer, Chris Wood. Wood & Cutting became one of the most influential, and enduring duos on the scene; paving the way for the explosion of many of today's thrusting young newcomers.
Andy's commitment to, and sense of pride in traditional music, as well as his sensitivity and understanding of the form, has made him one of the folk scene's most wanted, playing with Kate Rusby, John McCusker and Under One Sky to name but a few. There is also a growing demand for him to play outside this genre. He has recorded with Sting, John Illsley (Dire Straits), and was recently asked to join The Who for an acoustic concert in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. As well as his ongoing work with Chris, Andy is currently working with Martin Simpson, June Tabor and Blowzabella.
Andy has been consistent musical force since he came swiftly to prominence with the innovative Blowzabella. As well as a thorough grounding in the English tradition, Andy's influences extend way beyond these isles, particularly to the music of Central France and to the storming Quebecois tradition. These influences will be well-known to all those familiar with Andy's duo with English fiddle player, guitarist and singer, Chris Wood. Wood & Cutting became one of the most influential, and enduring duos on the scene; paving the way for the explosion of many of today's thrusting young newcomers.
Andy's commitment to, and sense of pride in traditional music, as well as his sensitivity and understanding of the form, has made him one of the folk scene's most wanted, playing with Kate Rusby, John McCusker and Under One Sky to name but a few. There is also a growing demand for him to play outside this genre. He has recorded with Sting, John Illsley (Dire Straits), and was recently asked to join The Who for an acoustic concert in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. As well as his ongoing work with Chris, Andy is currently working with Martin Simpson, June Tabor and Blowzabella.
Marinette Bonnert
www.marinettebonnert.be
Originally from Malmedy in the Belgian Ardennes, Marinette began playing the accordion [melodeon] at the age of 12 with Louis Spagna (a dance music teacher in Wallonia), and discovered with him the importance of the relationship between dancers and musicians. She attended accordion and dance workshops throughout Europe and played in several dance bands.
A brilliant student, she then began teaching accordion herself, organizing dances, and participating in the programming of music and dance workshops in Borzée.
She has developed a playing style primarily focused on integrating rhythmic impulses for dance, all supported by a great melodic sensitivity.
In the 1990s, she played with dance bands such as Tétralyre and Topaze. Later, she met violinist Raymond Honnay in Matoufèt and created Moirai, a group with a distinctly feminine energy. From her five-year stay in Austria, she returned with extensive experience in broadcasting dance music, thanks to collaborations with the Viennese folk scene and the Vienna University of the Arts (Universität für Darstellende Kunst). She also had the opportunity to collaborate with violinist Stephan Steiner and the group Hotel Palindrone (as a musician and dance instructor), as well as with university professor Rudolf Pietsch and the Tanzgeiger. She maintains close ties with these musicians during her time in Austria, as well as a good command of German.
Back in Belgium for many years now, she continues her musical projects, based on sharing and researching Walloon music and dance: 21 BouTONS, Calamalys, and Folk à Donf.
Alongside her musical career, she teaches accordion in several settings and workshops, always championing dance music as well as traditional Walloon music. Having received recognition for her relevant experience, she has also been teaching in several academies in Wallonia since 2014.
Since 2015, she has also embarked on the adventure of the Accordion Workshops, which offer repairs, rentals, and sales of accordions. Yet another facet of her profession.
Back in Belgium for many years now, she continues her musical projects, based on sharing and researching Walloon music and dance: 21 BouTONS, Calamalys, and Folk à Donf.
Alongside her musical career, she teaches accordion in several settings and workshops, always championing dance music as well as traditional Walloon music. Having received recognition for her relevant experience, she has also been teaching in several academies in Wallonia since 2014.
Since 2015, she has also embarked on the adventure of the Accordion Workshops, which offer repairs, rentals, and sales of accordions. Yet another facet of her profession.
Nick Wiseman-Ellis
Nick has performed and taught professionally since 2010 after completing the BMus Folk and Traditional Music with a 1st from Newcastle University. Since then, he has been part of various musical projects both in the UK and abroad. In 2015 Nick joined the Germany-based Irish music trio ‘Iontach’ and has since toured all over the country performing and giving workshops in both fiddle and diatonic button accordion. More recently, in 2024, Nick became the third member of the balfolk trio ‘Woodwose’, specializing in playing for dancing and with an emphasis on newly self-composed melodies. Nick’s musical style stems from a blend of inspirations and music traditions including Great Britain, Ireland, France and Scandinavia.
Vicky Cooper
Vicky is relatively new to all things folk, but has played a variety of instruments in other genres for many years. She has previously taught at North East Playgroup, Derbyshire Playgroup, Whitby Folk Festival and Melodeons in Wensleydale, and is an active morris musician for Silkstone Greens North West Morris. She also co-hosts a Slow and Steady Session in her home town of Sheffield. Vicky primarily plays D/G and G/C melodeons, with a particular soft spot for European tunes, and would like nothing better than to encourage others to take up the melodeon in the hope they love it as much as she does!
Helena Painting
Helena is a keen advocate for adults beginning their musical journey, teaching Absolute Beginner melodeon workshops at melodeon events and folk festivals since 2018. Helena is a regular tutor at Melodeon Playgroup, and has taught at folk festivals including Towersey, Sidmouth, Shrewsbury and Chippenham, working solo and alongside Ed Rennie as part of their Squeezebox from Scratch project. A lover of folk dance and music, Helena runs supportive steady-speed sessions, with a particular focus on English tunes.