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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A young Fort Simpson fiddler is spending part of his summer sharing his passion with Deh Cho youths.

Fort Simpson fiddler Wesley Hardisty performed at the Open Sky Festival between June 30 and July 1. This summer, Hardisty will also be performing at Hay Days and Folk on the Rocks in addition to giving workshops for youths. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Wesley Hardisty, 18, will be visiting four Deh Cho communities this month, as well as Hay River and Yellowknife as part of a workshop tour funded by the NWT Arts Council.

In each location, Hardisty will spend approximately an hour playing the fiddle and speaking about his life, what inspired him to play the fiddle and what has kept him going. Hardisty will then give private music lessons.

When listening to Hardisty's virtuosity on the fiddle, it's difficult to believe he's only been playing for five years.

At the age of 13, Hardisty was inspired to learn the instrument after going to see a cousin perform in a concert with the Kole Crook Fiddle Association's instructors.

"It was like thunder hit me," he said.

A week later he borrowed his first fiddle from the association and began learning.

Hardisty received lessons from the association's instructors when they visited the village and in between he taught himself.

In the beginning, Hardisty would play three to six hours a day.

"I just wanted to move forward to the next goal," he said.

Pursuing his music goals soon meant moving away from home.

After spending two summers at a month-long fiddle camp on Salt Spring Island, B.C., Hardisty made the decision to stay in the province. Hardisty said he knew if he stayed in the North it would limit his musical development.

Hardisty began attending the Gulf Island School of Performing Arts (GISPA) in Grade 9 and graduated from Grade 12 this summer.

"GISPA has really contributed to my musical career," Hardisty said.

In addition to advancing his music, Hardisty said the school shaped his stagecraft and taught him about being part of professional shows.

While in school, Hardisty also added some impressive accomplishments to his portfolio, including playing at the 2010 Olympics, being featured in an APTN series Breaking New Beats, performing for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Yellowknife, and releasing a CD last year at the age of 17.

Titled 12:12, the CD contains a mix of traditional fiddle music and Hardisty's own compositions. Hardisty, who's been writing songs almost as long as he's been playing the fiddle, said he blends elements of different genres including Metis fiddle music, classical, rock and folk.

"Some people would say my music is unique," he said.

Hardisty's future plans include attending Selkirk University in Nelson, B.C., next year for contemporary music and ultimately pursuing a career as an instructor and performer.

Hardisty said the youths who attend his workshops this month will be helping him start.

"They are giving me an opportunity to do what I want to do," he said.

Hardisty said he hopes to inspire youths at the workshops not only about music, but also about using passion and drive to achieve whatever they want.

"If you have a dream, go for it, but along with that comes responsibility and hard work," he said.

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