John Hymas (violin)
John divides his time between writing, performing and teaching music. His string playing and writing can be heard on recordings by bands as diverse as The Psychedelic Furs, The London Community Gospel Choir, The Orquestro do Porto and his own folk crossover band, Hoover the Dog. He is also a member of roots band, Little Rumba. Recent projects have included scores for Diversions Dance Co., Theatr Powys, Presteigne Festival and numerous community projects. His music has also been used on a number of occasions by BBC television.
Beth Porter (cello)
Beth graduated from Bath Spa University in 2003 with a degree in Dance & Music, where she studied cello with Ruth Zagni. Since then she has integrated into the South West music scene and toured nationally and internationally with many different groups and projects ranging from classical to drum and bass. She is currently playing with Eliza Carthy, Jim Moray, The Heavy, The Bookshop Band and Nuala Honan (amongst others) and has also played with artists such as Bellowhead (Radio 2 Folk Award Winners), Peter Gabriel, Newton Faulkner, and has recorded with many artists including The Proclaimers, Petula Clark, Jackie Oates, Get The Blessing (BBC Jazz Award Winners), and John Parish. Bethany has also created music for many short films/animations, including Bafta award winning The Eagleman Stag. She is working with story-teller Richard Selby (also at Priddy) to create stories with music. She plays and arranges music for The Stringbeans Quartet and is currently working on her own material, writing and recording a mixture of songs and instrumentals. Her band is Beth Porter and The Availables.
Karen Wimhurst (clarinets)
Karen Wimhurst is a freelance composer and clarinettist. She has been commissioned by festivals, ensembles and theatre companies throughout the UK with performances by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Welsh National Opera, the Allegri Quartet, Grimethorpe Brass Band, the Scottish flute trio, Electric Voice Theatre, Solid Strings, Onyx Brass, Sarum Orchestra, Ten Tors Orchestra, among others. She currently performs with the jazz ensemble Misbehavin’ and free jazz outfit Zaum. On the folk circuit she performs with PLF, Pagoda and tours her own show ‘Fruit of Paradise’.
Paul Hutchinson (accordion)
Paul is well known from his work with Belshazzar’s Feast, Hoover the Dog, Karen Tweed and the Playford Liberation Front. He is a superlative accordion player with a unique style inspired by church organ music, violins & concertinas! Paul is an experienced workshop leader tutoring at Cecil Sharp House on a regular basis, Hands On weekends, Folkworks Summer Schools and Halsway Manor.