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EVERY culture has a form of folk music with its own distinct roots and forms of self-expression, and for Edinburgh-based Nuala Kennedy the live arena is where she can share her culture and her imaginative interpretations of it with the rest of the world.
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“Sometimes I think about musicians who inspire me, some of whom have passed on,” Kennedy said.
“Musically I try to give all my best at every concert, to make the sound interesting and as technically good as possible,” the classically trained pianist said.
Born in Dundalk on the Irish East Coast, a well-known musical region with strong historical ties to Scotland, her creative journey began while lying on the ground at home at the age of six, playing an old upright piano with her feet.
“It was a great place to grow up, as young children we had the run of our neighbourhood and were outside a lot,” she said.
“My parents are great and they always encouraged us as children to contribute, make art, make music, be creative, be social and play outdoors.”
In 2007 Kennedy decided to deepen her knowledge of Scots Gaelic and moved to Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland to immerse herself in a year of intensive study, later completing with distinction a Masters Degree in Music Performance and Composition in 2011.
“The social aspect of traditional music most appealed to me,” she said.
“It's a fantastic way to connect with other people and make friends.”
She is an adventurous musician, mixing influences and time signatures in a way not often seen in Irish folk or Celtic music.
“In traditional Irish music rhythm is key; without a solid grasp of the fundamentals of rhythm it's difficult to progress,” Kennedy said.
“Players express this externally through tapping their feet, through their body, whereas in classical music, one is encouraged to have 'internal' rhythm.
“The wooden flute is very tactile as an instrument and has a resonant earthy sound,” she said.
Ms Kennedy will be hitting the wooden floorboards of the Candelo Hall for the Candelo Village Festival on Saturday afternoon, and is excited to be touring Australia again.
“You will see and hear three musicians interacting and spontaneously interpreting their music.
“Three musicians and friends who have toured together for many years performing at the peak of their powers, and delighted to be here in Australia,” she said.