Where it all started:
Hannah began playing Folk Music at the age of 12, when she began the fiddle. Hannah was Classically trained originally to grade 5, and learnt Folk along side. Her Love of Folk Music spiralled as soon as she could play it.
She recorded her first Folk CD at the age of 13 as a duet with her brother Alex Cumming, which was a mix of playing their instruments and singing.
Hannah then went on to start a band with her brother along with Jon Dyer and Penny Dyer, to form the Dyer:Cumming's, who are still going strong today. Within a year of playing with each other, they recorded their first CD as a band (released 2007).
Their passion to play with each other led them to enter the Glastonbury Festival Battle of the Bands, with a chance of performing at the festival, Two of the Judges being Michael Eavis (Owner of Glastonbury Festival), and Kieron Pepper (Drummer from the Prodigy). Although its a mainstream based music competition, the Dyer:Cumming's thought they would give it a go as a folk band. To their surprise, they made it through all the heats into the final, and became part of the final three. They won second prize which was the opportunity to record an EP (released in 2010).
Dyer:Cumming's began to run band workshops at a variety of festivals, the main one being Sidmouth Folk Festival to age groups 7-18+.
As well as running workshops as a band, Hannah also ran fiddle workshops, mainly at Towersey Folk Festival (Oxfordshire) as a part of Shooting Roots (An arts Organisation encouraging young tutors and workshop leaders).
As well as Playing Violin, singing was also a passion of Hannah's, and became part of the Somerset County Youth Choir, which gave her the chance to sing with others. They had the opportunity to sing at the Royal Albert Hall as a part of an 800 piece massed choir, on the last night of the Music For Youth Schools Proms. This was certainly an experience Hannah wasn't likely to forget.
She recorded her first Folk CD at the age of 13 as a duet with her brother Alex Cumming, which was a mix of playing their instruments and singing.
Hannah then went on to start a band with her brother along with Jon Dyer and Penny Dyer, to form the Dyer:Cumming's, who are still going strong today. Within a year of playing with each other, they recorded their first CD as a band (released 2007).
Their passion to play with each other led them to enter the Glastonbury Festival Battle of the Bands, with a chance of performing at the festival, Two of the Judges being Michael Eavis (Owner of Glastonbury Festival), and Kieron Pepper (Drummer from the Prodigy). Although its a mainstream based music competition, the Dyer:Cumming's thought they would give it a go as a folk band. To their surprise, they made it through all the heats into the final, and became part of the final three. They won second prize which was the opportunity to record an EP (released in 2010).
Dyer:Cumming's began to run band workshops at a variety of festivals, the main one being Sidmouth Folk Festival to age groups 7-18+.
As well as running workshops as a band, Hannah also ran fiddle workshops, mainly at Towersey Folk Festival (Oxfordshire) as a part of Shooting Roots (An arts Organisation encouraging young tutors and workshop leaders).
As well as Playing Violin, singing was also a passion of Hannah's, and became part of the Somerset County Youth Choir, which gave her the chance to sing with others. They had the opportunity to sing at the Royal Albert Hall as a part of an 800 piece massed choir, on the last night of the Music For Youth Schools Proms. This was certainly an experience Hannah wasn't likely to forget.
The World of Education.
College
At College, Hannah studied Music, Performance Studies and Art. These were Hannah's three main passions, and was so glad to have the opportunity to study them in education. At College, Hannah also lead a folk group and small Folk Choir, which was a great opportunity for her to lead rather than be taught. As well as this, Hannah also enjoyed being a part of the college Orchestra, String Group and Choir.
University
In September 2010, Hannah Began a BA Music Hons (Performance) degree at Falmouth University (formally University College Falmouth).
Within the first few months of being there, Hannah thrived in the artistic nature of the degree.
As a part of a world music module, she became a part of a group playing Jewish Gypsy music (klezmer). Since that assessment (after receiving a first honours mark for their module), many have continued this group including Hannah, all becoming 'The Klezbians'.
The Klezbians also had the pleasure and opportunity to play for Music For Youth. After passing all stages of this competition, one of which, they received two awards for their playing, as well as Hannah receiving a special handshake from one of the Judges for her violin playing (which was a huge shock for Hannah to be rewarded like that), the Klezbians were lucky to be able to play on the 1st night of the Music For Youth Schools Proms at the Royal Albert Hall (Nov. 2011). Again this is an experience none of them will forget, especially for Hannah as she was there a few years before, but on the Choir stands, whereas this time round, She was performing on the island stage in the centre of the Royal Albert Hall as a part of the 12 piece band the Klezbians.
They have recently released their first EP, and are (Along with the Dyer:Cumming's) playing at Purbeck Folk Festival in August, as well as many other exciting gigs.
Branching Out.
As well as being a part of these successful bands, Hannah feels its time to become a solo artist as well, to gain her own recognition, and hopefully create good chance of being able to do gigs regularly as she has graduated from her degree at Falmouth University with a 2:1, and would like to carry on with her music full time.
Hannah creates a beautiful sound with her unique mix of singing and playing fiddle (as well as both at once). She feels inspired by the likes of well known Folk musicians, Jackie Oates, Paul Sartin (of Bellowhead, and Faustus) and of course Seth Lakeman.
Her Sweet voice charms the listeners into a world of their own along with the sensitive and percussive accompaniment of her fiddle.
Although Hannah has been playing fiddle for 10 years now, she has only been singing publicly for a year now, every time performing making her stronger and more confident.
Hannah just wants to be able to play and share her abilities for people to enjoy and become a part of her music making and enthusiasm for playing.
Hannah creates a beautiful sound with her unique mix of singing and playing fiddle (as well as both at once). She feels inspired by the likes of well known Folk musicians, Jackie Oates, Paul Sartin (of Bellowhead, and Faustus) and of course Seth Lakeman.
Her Sweet voice charms the listeners into a world of their own along with the sensitive and percussive accompaniment of her fiddle.
Although Hannah has been playing fiddle for 10 years now, she has only been singing publicly for a year now, every time performing making her stronger and more confident.
Hannah just wants to be able to play and share her abilities for people to enjoy and become a part of her music making and enthusiasm for playing.
