JOHN SIKORSKI: PERCUSSIVE DANCER
John Sikorski is a multi-instrumentalist and percussive dancer, originally from a Gaelic music tradition on the Isle of Skye. He is best known for his skill as a percussive step-dancer in the old Scottish (or Cape Breton) style. Over his 25 year artistic career, John has received Creative Scotland Professional Development awards to study styles in Ireland, North Carolina, Cape Breton Island & Quebec, learning from Sandy Silva, Ira Bernstein, Harvey Beaton & Rodney Sutton. As a dancer, he has collaborated and toured with high profile bands & tradition bearers from Scotland, Hungary, Ireland, Canada, USA, Spain & Uzbekistan.
Following a Creative Scotland grant for circus skills training at Greentop Circus in 2006, John developed his work as a stilt-walking accordion player, expanding his repertoire to include French and Eastern European folk music styles. In 2012 he formed the duo Klezmatize with Jewish clarinet player, Emma Stiman. Klezmatize has been very well received at events in London’s Jewish community, private parties, festivals and on tour throughout Scotland.
Previous Dance Engagements
Getxo Folk Festival, Basque country, 2016
The Clyde & the Commonwealth, Celtic Connections, 2014
UHI, Isle of Benbecula, 2014
The Campbells of Greepe, Celtic Connections, 2014
Drine Rob Donn, Celtic Connections, 2014
The Campbells of Greepe, Fleadh Cheoil, Derry, 2013
The Sage, Gateshead, The New Rope String Band, Appalachian flatfooting, 2010
Step-dancer with Dannsa, Scotland tour collaboration with Cape Breton band Beolach, 2009
Creative Scotland tour collaboration with The Stairwell Sisters, May 2009
Scottish Stepdance Company, UK & European festivals/tours, 1999-2004)
Battlefield Band, Uzbek collaboration – UK tour
Selkie Project (Margaret Bennett & Billie Jackson), Colorado tour, 2006
Cotters Night Out (Margaret Bennett), Celtic Connections, 2006
Swannanoa Gathering (Margaret Bennett), North Carolina, 2007 & 2005
Creative Scotland tour collaboration with Muszikas/Marta Sebestyen, 2005
Getxo Folk Festival, Basque country, 2016
The Clyde & the Commonwealth, Celtic Connections, 2014
UHI, Isle of Benbecula, 2014
The Campbells of Greepe, Celtic Connections, 2014
Drine Rob Donn, Celtic Connections, 2014
The Campbells of Greepe, Fleadh Cheoil, Derry, 2013
The Sage, Gateshead, The New Rope String Band, Appalachian flatfooting, 2010
Step-dancer with Dannsa, Scotland tour collaboration with Cape Breton band Beolach, 2009
Creative Scotland tour collaboration with The Stairwell Sisters, May 2009
Scottish Stepdance Company, UK & European festivals/tours, 1999-2004)
Battlefield Band, Uzbek collaboration – UK tour
Selkie Project (Margaret Bennett & Billie Jackson), Colorado tour, 2006
Cotters Night Out (Margaret Bennett), Celtic Connections, 2006
Swannanoa Gathering (Margaret Bennett), North Carolina, 2007 & 2005
Creative Scotland tour collaboration with Muszikas/Marta Sebestyen, 2005
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