Mike 'Connor (with Barbara Griggs)

Mike is a friendly, approachable and highly experienced performer and workshop leader, used to working with adults and children both in performance situations and in educational and community work. He has been working as a musician since the 1970s and a story teller since the 1990s. He has worked in arts centres, at festivals, in schools, community halls and private venues. He has been a resident storyteller for the Forestry Commission, and is currently working at the Institute of Cornish Studies, Exeter University.

Brought up in Wales and London, he lived in Scotland for many years before moving to Cornwall twenty years ago. He has travelled widely researching his material. In Southern Africa he followed the footsteps of Laurens van der Post and in Wales those of naturalist Ludwig Koch. He followed the course of Sir Francis Chichester across the Indian Ocean. He has charmed snakes in Singapore and the Bahamas, and called seals in Orkney and Cornwall.

Mike has made many recordings and radio broadcasts, and has written for learned journals and popular magazines on subjects relating to folklore. Mike's tales vary from 5 minute fireside tales to epics such as Tristan and Iseult, Imravoe, the Tales of the Holy Rood, and Loki. Mike is honoured to have been awarded the OBE and has been made a bard of the Gorseth of Cornwall.

As a Soloist: Mike is a prizewinning competition fiddle player, with a stimulating style & refreshing lightness of touch. His tunes are in print in 'Piran's Welcome'. As an Accompanist: Mike has gained an enviable reputation as a sensitive and responsive accompanist for Sarah Morgan, Johnny Collins, the Dunns, Jake Walton, Anne Lister & Martyn Wyndham-Read Telling Stories: Mike tells spell-binding stories, many with fiddle accompaniment for both adult & schools audiences. He is one of the few in the land capable of delivering epic tales and sagas. Songs: Mike's vivid songs are recorded & sung by artists such as Martyn Wyndham-Read, Johnny Collins, Kathy Wallis, Mike Nicholson, Sarah Morgan and many more. Mike produced and directed the iconic folk operas 'The Cry of Tin' & 'Unsung Heroes' Workshops: Mike gives workshops at festivals, & in schools & community groups. Research: Mike is the leading researcher of Cornish instrumental music.

During the festival Mike will appear with harpist Barbara Griggs at some of his concert spots. Mike and Barbara, both experts in Cornish and early music, play entrancing duets on various instruments - principally violin and harp. Their instrumental skills are backed up by outstanding scholarship. Their presentation is relaxed and friendly. They have already performed at Lowender Peran, Zennor, Rilla Mill and St. Mawgan in Cornwall and have been exceptionally well received.

Visit Mike at his website and Barbara and Mike at www.reverbnation.com