FORT SIMPSON - With a flurry of fingers, Daniel Bolshoy brought a touch of classical music to Fort Simpson residents on Jan. 30.

Bolshoy, a classical guitarist based in Montreal, performed at the cultural centre in Dehcho Hall to a full crowd. More chairs had to be added to the semi-circles in front of the stage as more than 64 adults and children gathered to listen to the music.

Classical guitarist Daniel Bolshoy wowed the crowd at the cultural centre in Fort Simpson with pieces from Spain, Italy and Paraguay. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Bolshoy interspersed his songs from Spain, Paraguay and Italy with stories about how they were composed and the images in the music. In contrast to the notion of classical music as a serious business, many stories had audience members chuckling. A comment made before a song by a living composer brought laughter.

"I have to play a live composer or people might be afraid they'll catch the plague from the concert," said Bolshoy with a smile.

The concert left many audience members in awe.

"I thought it was amazing," said Lisa Moore.

"How does he get his fingers to move so fast?" she asked.

A classical guitar performance is something you don't expect to see in Fort Simpson, said Moore.

Bolshoy's visit was the work of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) in Yellowknife. This is the first time NACC has worked in the village, said Ben Nind, executive and artistic director for the centre.

"We're testing our toes in the water," Nind said.

NACC currently operates in nine communities and Nind said he believes that the arts are just as important in creating a healthy community as something like sports. Future performances may be in the works.

"Tonight proved that you have an audience here," he said.

Bolshoy will be one of the future performers. He has committed to return to the community for three years starting with this visit. The idea is to build a relationship between the musician and the community, said Nind.

Students were among those who benefited from Bolshoy's visit.

Bolshoy spent four hours in a workshop with six guitar students at Thomas Simpson school. Together they learned a song by a Spanish composer and talked about playing the guitar and being a musician.

"Rubbing shoulders with the best is one of the greatest things," said Mitchell Modeste about the chance to meet Bolshoy.

Students learned some new guitar techniques including harmonic and tremolo picking. The students were also impressed by Bolshoy's playing.

"I thought it was phenomenal," said Modeste.

Skyler Tanche agreed.

"I've never seen picking that fast before," said Tanche.

Bolshoy was once much like these students. He said when he started playing the guitar in high school, he was into heavy metal rock and the great guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Van Halen. Bolshoy then went looking for a teacher who could help him improve his playing. The first teacher he found happened to be a classical guitarist and he became hooked.

For beginning musicians, Bolshoy has one main piece of advice.

"Just play everywhere from everyone," he said.